getting the FI itch

[RKS]

After just a year I'd like a little more grunt. Even though I want a new CTS-V, I like my car and am keeping my it but want to add a little more horsepower.

There are a couple options for supercharging (TT gets very expensive if you do it right). Both SCs are about the same price and output. Stage 1 is over 400WHP and Stage 2 gets you about 500.

I'm leaning well towards the OEMish GTM but Stillen does offer a warranty and local dealerships that do (and warranty) the install. Here are the pics:


GTM

Stillen

 

[Ferzerp]

Count yourself lucky. The *only* option for my car involves an ECU swap, the SC, and a new transmission.

You end up with 560ish whp, and about 590 lb*ft torque though (hence the new transmission). That is with 7.1 lbs. There is also the option of more pressure, but I've only seen reference of one person having it done, and that's what they had.

 

[MotF Bane]

Have you checked my350z and myg37?

I'd say the GTM, it looks so much cleaner.

Your car is a G37 RWD manual coupe, right?

 

[KentState]

I like the look of the GTM also. Probably should stick with the 400RWP version unless you are planning to do drive train upgrades as well.

 

[RKS]

Count yourself lucky. The *only* option for my car involves an ECU swap, the SC, and a new transmission.

You end up with 560ish whp, and about 590 lb*ft torque though (hence the new transmission). That is with 7.1 lbs. There is also the option of more pressure, but I've only seen reference of one person having it done, and that's what they had.

That seems like a nice amount of power!

Have you checked my350z and myg37?

I'd say the GTM, it looks so much cleaner.

Your car is a G37 RWD manual coupe, right?

i'm on myg37 alot, but I have a 6mt rwd grocery-getter version (4door)

I like the look of the GTM also. Probably should stick with the 400RWP version unless you are planning to do drive train upgrades as well.

I think the 6mt can hold 500hp but the auto may need a cooler. I did meet a guy running a tt Greddy setup with 625hp with engine work but didn't mention any tranny upgrades.

 

[SithSolo1]

I think the 6mt can hold 500hp but the auto may need a cooler. I did meet a guy running a tt Greddy setup with 625hp with engine work but didn't mention any tranny upgrades.

I haven't read much on the g37 since I only have the 35. The ATs come with a trans cooler stock, I would assume the same is true of the g37. Also he drive shaft on the 35 is only good for about 400hp before you need to upgrade it.

The GTM does look nicer but the warranty on the Stillen is hard to beat.

 

[exdeath]

I like the Stillen. I like actually seeing my engine and not a plastic cover.

 

[Ferzerp]

What does your car currently weigh?

 

[RKS]

I like the Stillen. I like actually seeing my engine and not a plastic cover.

What does your car currently weigh?

about 3700

 

[DaTT]

Out of curiosity, what would a FI kit cost for your car? Ballpark figure.

 

[RKS]

Out of curiosity, what would a FI kit cost for your car? Ballpark figure.

too much. SC is around $6500.

 

[Ferzerp]

too much. SC is around $6500.

Yeah, when I said be glad, I meant it.... To do what I said to mine costs roughly $16k

 

[ballmode]

I heard that the 350/G35 V35 couldn't handle more than a little over 400whp on the stock motor without needing beefy internals

am I wrong/right?

 

[KentState]

I heard that the 350/G35 V35 couldn't handle more than a little over 400whp on the stock motor without needing beefy internals

am I wrong/right?

Look at what Nissan did to safely get 500hp in their GTR. I know it can handle a lot more, but that's what they felt was safe and able to cover under a warranty. A high compression engine with boost can only go so far for so long. Also have to figure that you will be down at 80-100hp when not in boost due to the parasitic affect of the blower. To make up for that, you have to create boost to make it back at the flywheel which is constant stress.

 

[SithSolo1]

I heard that the 350/G35 V35 couldn't handle more than a little over 400whp on the stock motor without needing beefy internals

am I wrong/right?

It was the drive shafts that gave out around 400, not the motors. I think the stock motor can go a bit higher.

 

[Zivic]

as a Z owner that has been round the FI block a few times with the car->
APS twin turbo converison, 9:1 CR motor, HKS Fcon Vpro on my personal car
did another similar build with a friends G35...
done a single turbo stock block as well as a Vortech on stock block.

my thoughts, go turbo or don't do it at all. Keep it stock block and keep the TQ numbers on the conservative side (under 400). a good EMS will be worth the money -> smoother tune and better fuel economy. Don't go stillen. Their numbers are always overly optimistic and for what they run, you likely can get something with more potential. That said, I think vortech and stillen are one in the same for the supercharger setup for the G37.... regardless, go turbo or don't even waste your time/money.

Do not do this if this is your only car. It may go off without a hitch, but it may be a finicky SOB that takes some time to sort out. Either way a FI converted car isn't something I personally would want to rely on.

Good luck

edit:
and whatever you decide, make sure you address cooling. The 3.7 have an even harder time dealing with extra heat than the previous gen did.

 

[Zivic]

It was the drive shafts that gave out around 400, not the motors. I think the stock motor can go a bit higher.

the 3.5 was limited to around 400.... the 3.7 has been making more power, but I still think the tq numbers aren't much over 400.

The drive shafts are fine until you start dragging them on slicks. not so sure about the G37/370Z, but the previous gens have been known to break with stock power with slicks.

This car is not a drag car and to give it big'er power and throw slicks on it and expect to run some fast ET's isn't really what one should expect out of the car.

 

[manimal]

Dude friggin AWESOME!

I know your far but if you ever need my help let me know.

If this is your only driver just get a rental for a week if your having it done turn key by one of the several awesome shops in ohio.


I know every time I slide my G35 Around I wonder what the car would feel like with MOAR power!


Is there anyone in Ohio you know that has done this RKS? A test drive of their setup wouldn't be a bad idea to see if you would like it or if it compromises some of the things you like about your car now like the ride, reliability, smoothness etc.


6500 is a big investment and would go a long way to getting you into a nice weekend toy as well to play devils advocate.

Once done you will have a fantastic sleeper to shut down ricers!!!

 

[RKS]

my thoughts, go turbo or don't do it at all.

A lot of people have success with the sc. I'm not looking for a dyno queen or even a drag star. I just want a little more power.

the 3.5 was limited to around 400.... the 3.7 has been making more power, but I still think the tq numbers aren't much over 400.

If I can get about 425 hp and about 375 ft/tq I would be happy

Dude friggin AWESOME!

I know your far but if you ever need my help let me know.

If this is your only driver just get a rental for a week if your having it done turn key by one of the several awesome shops in ohio.


I know every time I slide my G35 Around I wonder what the car would feel like with MOAR power!


Is there anyone in Ohio you know that has done this RKS? A test drive of their setup wouldn't be a bad idea to see if you would like it or if it compromises some of the things you like about your car now like the ride, reliability, smoothness etc.


6500 is a big investment and would go a long way to getting you into a nice weekend toy as well to play devils advocate.

Once done you will have a fantastic sleeper to shut down ricers!!!

Thanks for the offer! I have met a couple people with turbos but not superchargers. I know of Slowmotion in Columbus but haven't found anything in the Cincy area.
My understanding is that the GTM can be installed relatively easily but I don't have the skills to feel comfortable enough to do it. I'm probably looking at a spring/early summer ETA and maybe I can email you the install pdf and you can tell me if it is a complicated install.

 

[Zivic]

A lot of people have success with the sc. I'm not looking for a dyno queen or even a drag star. I just want a little more power.


If I can get about 425 hp and about 375 ft/tq I would be happy



.

I'd have to do a little more research, but those power levels on the 3.5 are in fantasy land with a supercharger.

...

looked up a couple setups. I think the 425 is doable, but thinking it might take upwards of 9 grand or even more to do so. The tq numbers seem to be at 350 or less.

Here's my thinking.... 9 grand is a lot of dough to throw at a supercharger that basically has limited potential. If you are fine with how things end up, go for it.... but let's say you blow the motor - definitely a possibility - you do a rebuild and are stuck with the same kit, so you throw another 6-8 grand at the motor to get up and running, and you will be looking at only marginally more power than you had on a stock block.

here's another bit of advise. put NO WEIGHT in any warranty. You get a tail light warranty. sure you could get warranty on the supercharger or turbo if they go, but don't for a second think you are going to boost the car and get factory type warranty on the drivetrain. The first thing to come to terms with when doing a conversion is there are no guarantees. I have seen people blow 3 motors before the car even left the shop.

I personally blew a motor (well cracked a ringland) on my setup a few yrs back. You definitely gotta pay to play -> and if you are paying for a shop to do the work, you will be paying even more.

No matter what you do, be aware of worst case scenario:

pics from some of my builds:

APS single turbo on 03 350z

APS TT on 9:1 compression motor 04 350z (my car)

APS TT on 9:1 compression motor (GTM shortblock) 03 G35 (this is GRD performance's old shop car)

*** unfortunately I didn't take pics of the vortech setup.


Did you say if you car is an auto or manual trans?

 

[exdeath]

Yum yum engine porn. :thumbsup:

I'm still on the fence. I love the twin screw driving around town but part of me also wants to do a TT build when the new 5.8L block hits the FRPP catalog.

It just takes so much to turn a blower. More stress more heat less timing more detonation, etc. The difference between a 500 HP turbo engine and 500 HP supercharged engine? The supercharged engine is REALLY running like a 700 HP engine when all is said and done by the time it gets 500 HP out to the dyno.

 

[Apex]

Yeah, when I said be glad, I meant it.... To do what I said to mine costs roughly $16k

My wife's car is getting a supercharger right now (should be done by end of month). $16k pricetag too.

 

[Ferzerp]

My wife's car is getting a supercharger right now (should be done by end of month). $16k pricetag too.

What car?

 

[KentState]

It just takes so much to turn a blower. More stress more heat less timing more detonation, etc. The difference between a 500 HP turbo engine and 500 HP supercharged engine? The supercharged engine is REALLY running like a 700 HP engine when all is said and done by the time it gets 500 HP out to the dyno.

This is why I wish my car was a TT setup. Making somewhere around 650hp at the crank means it's really putting out close to 800hp. Would be nice to also relocate the heat from the top of the engine to the exhaust. Also have to contend with instant torque off the line making the car impossible to launch. Nothing like an instant 500ft/tq to the rear wheels at 1800rpm.

 

[Apex]

What car?

Current gen BMW E60 M5.