with that setup your gonna have lag. but if your wanting HP that looks to be the better bang for your buck. keep in mind your clutch your ganna spend 600-700 on something to hold it not to mention install fees.

 

Yeah the thing about that kit from RAI is it's quite vague in the online description what exactly you end up getting. You'd have to bring your car up there and walk through exactly what turbo you wanted, what tune you wanted (because Uni has like 3 or 4 BT tunes I think), and what supporting mods you want to have added. They build like 90% of their stuff on an as-ordered basis. That's still in my top 3 for that reason.

 

I would definitely look into the Frankenturbo if I where you. TQ has been dyno'd into the 300+ area (crank 265 at the wheels) and you'd be looking at roughly 280chp (239 at the wheels). Or if you are really set on more piece together a GTRS Eliminator kit and that "could get you into the 300's (closer to 280 more with supporting mods and higher octane gas). I would piece together a kit just looking for a used GTRS if I don't find a decent one soon I'll just go FT. Or just piece together a full frame setup.........So many options out there............

 

Yeah, I did some rough pricing based on their info, this was what I came up with:

Basic Kit - $1620
Intermediate Kit (Air Filter, MAF, Elbow) - $390
GT3071 - $1350
Uni Files - $890
830cc Inj - $50/ea x 4=$200

$4450

FMIC & DV would be another $1650

$6100

But you've gotta do the rods, so figure another $1K easily, and if you go with a complete bottom end kit you're talking a lot more than $1K (rods, bearings, pistons, rings - basically a rebuild)

RAI 1.8L Short Block Kit (06A)

You could step the turbo down, back to the 2871R, but that's what is included in the APR kit anyway.

I think what I'm really looking for is a better way to get that APR Stage 3 kit with the 2871R slightly faster, rather then changing kits or stepping up the turbo size into the 3XXX series. That's at least where I'm at today *laughs*

What are your other 2 options in your Top 3 CCA4?

 

Well, my top three currently are the kit from RAI you just laid out, the kit from NGP you laid out above, and the same GTRS/GT2871r kit from Mike Hood, then DIY the install. This car is my DD, so as much as I would love to build it myself I'm not sure its practical ATM. Mike's pricing looks better, but then you wouldn't get the "hey fix this tune, it runs like ****" fall back that you'd get from NGP or RAI, them being local and all.

The other thing is, you could very conceivably run a GTRS/GT2871r without a built bottom end, as long as you don't feel the need to rev to like 8k. But with those turbos you really shouldn't need to. With the 3071 you need a built bottom end to make enough revs to get it into the power band.

Frankenturbo is another option, but tuning for that turbo seems to be largely ad-hoc from what I've seen. I don't see myself going much bigger than a 3071r, because as I mentioned this is my DD and I don't feel like driving around with the thing wound out to 4500rpm all the damn time just to have power to spare yenno?

Still lots of questions that need answers lol...

 

Chris, I do hope that once you pick up all your parts for your upgrade, that you plan to come up here for install. I'm all about jumping in to help on it and I'm sure the other guys would enjoy turning wrenches on this type of a build.

 

Thanks Jeremy, thats good to know. That could be a fun way to spend a long weekend!

 

Damn right man

 

Haha, couldn't have said it any better. I've basically decided to stick with the APR Stage 3 that includes the 2871R. You hit the two basic reasons I decided to stick with it...one being the fact that it is as "powerful" as I can get without worrying about replacing rods/pistons/etc due to torque. The other being that I have NGP local and they are a well recognized APR dealer. Based on the level of support and communication I have received from Benji and John thus far, I'm unwilling to go anywhere else. Not that RAI doesn't look great...

I did decide to add a FMIC though. Tossup between the APR and the Evolution Racewerks comp. To me the EVO looks a little more "normal" while the APR seems to be the only with the top down flow design that is not a rectangle. Unfortunately Evolution states on their website that either a RS4 or S4 bumper will need to be used in place of the OEM A4 bumper. NGP seems to think they can fit the APR behind the OEM A4 bumper, though it will require some obvious modding. So it looks like it will be APR for the FMIC as well - it's a couple hundred bucks less than the Evolution as well ($950 vs $1250), and I haven't seen anything to indicate either FMIC is better than the other. They both seem good to high HP ratings (350+ easy). My guess is tubing diameter would be the biggest thing if it ever went over 350. Bigger diameter = better for higher hp turbos, while bigger diameter = bad for lower hp turbos.

I don't think the Frankenturbo is really for me. I don't see that giving me anything the APR stage 3 won't already give me. It may be a less expensive option on first glance, but you still need injectors, the chip and tune. Not to mention that ECU and tune aren't really built for it, while APR has already done that work for me (and priced it in, of course...) Their FT manifold looks good, but everywhere I hear/read that the APR manifold is top notch. FT would definitely be a significant cost savings, but I don't see it producing more HP, probably less, and its more along the lines of mix/match parts I was trying to avoid when upgrading the turbo.

So hopefully next week I'll get the car back from NGP with the APR Stage 3, exhaust, intake, and FMIC all finished. You're lucky with folks willing to help you on the install! I suggest you take them up on the offer! God knows I wish I had a garage and guidance.

My guess, based on NGP input, and research/reading is at least a solid 250whp. I hope to see a little bit more...260/270/80.

 

DUDE! if you get the APR stage 3 ( since you have the cash) It's gonna put a big smile on your face! I'd possiably consider water/meth also. to help give you that extra kick. GL man, let us know what your thoughts are when it's done.