which way to go?

[el nino]

well i just started modding and have done a couple of minor mods with exhaust and CAI (lowering very soon). I am planning on goin forced induction in the future but first i am going to need which way to go, super or turbo charged?? i dont want to waste money durring my NA tunning that might not work with the system that i choose. im just looking for peoples opinions on how each of the systems work whith our GA's, and which one will give the GA more overall power. everyones $0.02 are apreciated!

p.s- i already have an idea of how each system works. just need to know how they work with our veichle.

[ganut]

either find an eaton blower for sale (you may be able to find a unicorn first though) or get an RSM kit (their tune sucks.... if you even get one) or go turbo.

unless you have a 4 cyl.

[el nino]

and how do all the superchargers compare to eachother, and to the turbo alternative? and my se is a v6

[ganut]

I f you have a v6, go turbo. Just make sure you have some fairly deep pockets and some patience, and time to research and plan ahead.

you're not gonna find an eaton, and you're not gonna want the RSM vortech kit (it's prone to breakage and a crappy/nonexistant tune)

[el nino]

well what type of NA tunning is necessary to get my engine capable for a turbo? i dont want to just slap one on and possibly break something.

[Schweppe23]

I've had both...the eaton and now a turbo. I like the eaton and it performed well for me 13.3 at 105ish and if i would have continued to work on the tuning of it probably would have busted into the 12s. Its a well built piece that'll last with no additional maintance. Fun to drive.

Turbo, at first i was worried about lag and is it gonna be fun to drive around town, esp with my cam. But as long as u size it properly (no lag) it is just as much fun to drive around town as my eaton was. My setup is relatively new and im new to turbos altogether but currently I'm happy with my results as its gone 12.9with low boost and there is more room to grow. The turbo def. requires more patience which is sometimes difficult for me.

RSM, the only one that i dont have any experience with at all. Kinda pricey brand new and durability seems to be an issue. Can it perform...im sure, with a good tune, smaller pulley and upgraded shaft and maybe an IC we'll see some good #s.

As far as tuning goes...get a powertuner prolly the best supporting mod no matter what direction you go.

.02

[SpyhunteR]

Turbo, at first i was worried about lag and is it gonna be fun to drive around town, esp with my cam.

I'll vouch for that! Sizing is very important on a turbo setup, but once you find that perfect size, you don't notice the lag. YOu actually tend to notice that wheelspin is now a daily part of life.

The turbo def. requires more patience which is sometimes difficult for me.



Sometimes I just want to shoot the damn thing. I'm with you there brother.





POWERTUNER WILL SAVE YOUR ASS MOST IMPORTANT MOD THAT ANY 3.4 OWNER CAN MAKE.

[AaronGTR]

I'd say the turbo definitely has the most power potential for v6 cars. The supercharging route has it's limitations. The turbo is also more difficult to set up and tune though. The SC is a much simpler addition. The rsm blower is supposed to make decent power, but is expensive and people have been having durability problems with them. Also you need to modify the kit to add a MAF sensor back to get it to run properly. The magnacharger kit would be the simplest and most dependable set up.

[lone_wolf025]

So I take it there isn't necessarily a "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to turbos for our cars?

[el nino]

So I take it there isn't necessarily a "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to turbos for our cars? I think its just the set up that makes the turbo fit...? correct me if im wrong.

[SpyhunteR]

So I take it there isn't necessarily a "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to turbos for our cars?


Definitely not. You should see how many different ways J-body guys setup their turbo plumbing, size of turbos etc. It's like every person has his own twist on it.

[el nino]

so what kind of mods would i want to get befor a turbo to make my turbo work eficiantly(be able to run more than 6psi and not blow anything up)?
im actually trying to get in the low 14's without FI then slaping a tubo on without breaking anything.
soo... P&P manifolds and heads. 62mm tb, camshafts, pushrods are necessary( or will help)? and the only thing i should not buy yet are the headers? or will headers for turbos still work without a turbo???

if u havent noticed i have made up my mind on turbo over supercharger.
Also if u havent noticed yet I DO NOT KNOW JACK about what im doing, but it just makes that that much funner!

help is apriciated and desperatly needed. lol

[AaronGTR]

so what kind of mods would i want to get befor a turbo to make my turbo work eficiantly(be able to run more than 6psi and not blow anything up)?
im actually trying to get in the low 14's without FI then slaping a tubo on without breaking anything.
soo... P&P manifolds and heads. 62mm tb, camshafts, pushrods are necessary( or will help)? and the only thing i should not buy yet are the headers? or will headers for turbos still work without a turbo???

if u havent noticed i have made up my mind on turbo over supercharger.
Also if u havent noticed yet I DO NOT KNOW JACK about what im doing, but it just makes that that much funner!

help is apriciated and desperatly needed. lol


Turbo manifolds are turbo specific and won't work without a turbo. If you were going to get a turbo then definitely don't waste money on headers because you will just have to sell them later. Don't plan on running low 14's without boost and without headers though because the stock manifolds are a major restriction. If you were staying NA or getting a supercharger then headers would be great, otherwise you'll have to wait for the big time drop until you get the turbo in.

Ported heads would be good to have. A larger throttle body is good once you get boosted. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator would help, and once you get boost I highly recommend swapping in bigger injectors and getting a tuner. Thats the only way to do it safely and get the most out of the setup. A camshaft (singular, there's only one ;) ) can help when shooting for big power but isn't really necessary, and it can be an expensive mod and make tuning more difficult. Pushrod are not necessary unless changing rockers. You'll also have to figure cost for stiffer valve springs, although that is a worthwhile mod to have even NA because the stockers are kind of weak. That should get you started. lol Start saving now...

[el nino]

You'll also have to figure cost for stiffer valve springs, although that is a worthwhile mod to have even NA because the stockers are kind of weak. That should get you started. lol Start saving now...

well what about the MMS cylinder head stage 2 springs, will those still have to be changed?
and i will probably have 4 to 5 k saved by the end of next summer. and im not in too much of a hurry to get everything.

[AaronGTR]

I believe the MMS stage 2 springs are either LS6 springs or comp cams Ls springs. Those are what I was talking about and what we all use anyway, so if it comes with those then no you won't need to change them. :thumbs:

[el nino]

what turbo kits are people using on their ga's? the only one i was able to find was the hp perofrmance one. is this a nice kit?

[el nino]

Turbo manifolds are turbo specific and won't work without a turbo.

now im very confused since the pictures of the GA on the hp performance website had what looked like a stock Upper manifold??

http://www.turbochargedpower.com/99-04%20Grand%20Am.htm

[Rich]

what turbo kits are people using on their ga's? the only one i was able to find was the hp perofrmance one. is this a nice kit?

http://www.donkeypunchperformance.com/store/index.php?main_page=index

right now there website is under construction but they sell turbo setups. i dont think anyone on here has one though.

[rfenn]

what aaronGTR was referring to when he said turbo manifolds were the headers, also knowing as the exhaust "manifolds", not the upper intake manifold

[Graxall]

The sound of the BOV on a turbo is alot cooler than a SC whine too, keep that in mind :-P

[el nino]

ohh alright got it. thanx

[AaronGTR]

The sound of the BOV on a turbo is alot cooler than a SC whine too, keep that in mind :-P


Thats all a matter of opinion. ;)




Yes, the manifolds I was referring too are exhaust manifolds. Exhaust manifolds for turbo's are different since a turbo is driven by exhaust gas. Exhaust manifolds for supercharged and naturally aspirated engines are basically the same. When you switch from the stock cast iron manifolds to tubular ones, they are commonly known in the aftermarket as "headers".


The HP kit isn't the greatest way to go. I don't know if they are even making any more, but the kit was never really finished. Their manifolds are nice, but you are left to provide a lot of other parts yourself, so it's basically the same as making a custom kit. As for donkeypunch, his website isn't up and last I heard he hasn't actually made and sold any kits yet, so who knows if it's ever going to be made into a legitimate kit that people can buy?

[el nino]

anyother places making them except for hp and donekypunch??

[sc02grandam]

ill be selling my sc within the next couple of months if you're interested

[el nino]

well im not going to be going with the sc.

[AaronGTR]

anyother places making them except for hp and donekypunch??


Nope. Have to go totally custom otherwise.

[el nino]

The HP kit isn't the greatest way to go. I don't know if they are even making any more, but the kit was never really finished. Their manifolds are nice, but you are left to provide a lot of other parts yourself, so it's basically the same as making a custom kit.

well it says on the website that they are redesining the kit so maybe by next summer they'll have something good out. or mayb theyll have nothing at all...;crap

[bu01]

ill be selling my sc within the next couple of months if you're interested
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