I installed the STS TT kit over the weekend and put a couple hundred miles on the new setup. So far, I'm impressed. I have some tuning issues I need to get worked out with Rick @ STS, but it's great otherwise. Currently running the STS setting for boost (6 psi), BBK aluminum air bridge, 60lb/hr Motrons (stock fuel otherwise), stock drivetrain, FLP LT's w/o cats.

Issues from the weekend:
the rocker pipes were kind of difficult to install, but it just takes a little muscle to slide them through. It really, really helps if you grease the entire length of straigh pipe; slides through the rocker much easier.

The pipes fit well, but are VERY tight. The silicone connection between the wheel-well pipe and rocker pipe could be just an inch of silicone as the pipes are actually really close to touching... if not actually touching. I thought I was going to have to cut some off, but I left it alone.

The oiling system seems to be working nicely, but I can't tell if the pump kicks to high when boosting or not. NAVY08 had ECS diagnose a problem with his system (the pump would shut down instead of going to "high" when boosting). As far as I can tell, every thing is working properly. I ran the pump on high for about an hour worth of highway driving (40-50 miles) and then set it back to low. It's been that way for the last 150+ miles.

more oil system: Since the kit is designed for the stock manifolds/h-pipe, I had a little difficulty with my FLP long tubes. One of the new bolts that holds the oil sending unit and new oil supply fitting would interfere with one of the primaries on the LT's. To get it to fit, I had to cut 4-5 threads off the end of the bolt and use the shortened version. I made sure not to overtighten the bolt as there arent' as many threads to hold the torque with the cut bolt... It's working fine, no leaks, no issues... for now. I could have pulled the LT and installed the bolt as it was, but I didn't want to take the time. If this fails, that's the plan.

The sound is intoxicating! Before this, I ran a loudmouth with the same FLP LT's with cats, but removed the cats to try to help the system spool easier. So far, it's noticibly quieter at idle/crusing speeds... hard to tell at WOT as I have much more to concentrate on now. Exhaust note isn't my main priority... atleast not right now.

Tial BOV: sounds like a BOV . It's not obnoxious, not too loud, not to quiet... just right. I don't have any complaints.

Tial Wastegate: I'm thinking of putting an angle on the WG to route it back to the tips (i'm running two tips). Actually, if possible, I'll buy another WG and install two 90's to point the exhaust at the ground. I'm not sure if I like the sound of the open WG, but that's not a big concern as of now.

Gauges: I'm running Autometers Vac/Boost and Fuel Pressure gauge... phantom series. Boost works well, but I have an issue with the FP gauge. There's no fuel getting to the electric FP sending unit. I tied into the fitting on the end of the rail, but the 3an or 4an line I used doesn't have a fitting to "depress" the pin inside the rail. Thus, the line I used is empty! Does anyone know of a fitting that will bolt to the end of the rail, depress the fitting, and have the same male fitting on the end of the rail? That way I can use my exact same setup, but it'll actually work

The kit isn't difficult to install (for the most part) and seems well designed. So far, my absolute favorite part, is the way the car behaves OFF boost. Other than a louder exhaust note (compared to stock, not compared to my loudmouths), it's perfectly stock behaving. I set the cruise at 61mph... reset the mileage and didn't touch the gas/brake/cruise more than 4-5 times over 50 miles or so. The result? 37.3mpg... no kidding. That's almost exactly what it did stock, if not a little better. Car is running stock Z06 rubber (on repro Z06 wheels), the speedo is dead on, as far as I know. I have NO reason to assume this is incorrect as the gas gauge reflects it as well. The trip last night (post fill-up with Tex 91) was over 155 miles and I have almost 3/4 of a tank.

There's a little stumble when keeping the RPM's constant at lower speeds (3rd and 4th gears... around 1500-2000 rpm), but i'm still running Rick's RICH tune. Maybe the new "leaner" tune will take care of it, but I'm going to run this rich tune to make sure the motor stays safe. After I install the alky kit, get it on the dyno, and monitor things properly, I'll take the boost up to 8-9psi, and modify the tune. For now, i'm perfectly happy. Granted, i haven't even been WOT more than 5 times.... just happy it still runs!



questions? comments? ask away... As always, I'll do my very best to help







(never realized how much orange peel was on the rear fascia... it was resprayed when someone tapped the previous owner.)


it's so fast I burned out a tail light . rear wheels are off because I was cleaning/polishing.

 

Jesse,

The easy way to get your FP guage working is to remove the schrader valve. Auto stores generally carry schrader valve removal tools. Be certain to depressurize your rails first though!

 

Remove the shrader valve from the end of the fuel rail and your fuel pressure gauge will work.

 

Turbo's generally add to 2-3 to the mpg. (AT CRUISE)
Superchargers generally takes away 2-3 mpg.
All WOT(horsepower) takes fuel.
Some setups are more efficient than others.

 

that's WAY easier than I thought it'd be... heading to the store now

 

Brent,

I understand why the blower would rob a little MPG (as it robs a little power to drive), but why do the turbo's ADD mileage? At any RPM or power level, the turbo's definitely add backpressure... which would put more pressure on the piston... right?

I'll accept the easiest answer... but if you/skunkworks/mark/A&A/ECS/LPE/etc/etc/etc can explain the physics/thermo, I'd definitely read it.

 

Which BBK air bridge did you use? Part number would be very nice

 

Ask and you shall receive!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...78&forum_id=86

BBK 17260 (I think... it might have been 1726.) When you call, tell them you want the titanium version of this: http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=egnsearch.asp

Tell them you want the same deal Jesse Boyer got. They matched Summit racings price of 270 for the "titanium" version. It's very strong aluminum painted light grey (titanium color).

One thing to note... I had to trim mine. The TB was touching the air bridge... which was touching the MAF... which was touching the FMIC. It sat about 1/2" inch above the rad. cover... which put pressure on the hood. NOT good for fiberglass or paint. So, I took a sawsall and cut about 1/4" off the MAF side and it fits much better now. Yes, I had to cut off the "ridge" off the end. Yes, that's what prevents the silicone and hose clamp from coming off, but with the the AB sandwiched between the hood and rad cover, it's not going anywhere. Works well thus far.

another thing to note: I could have found a way to drop the FMIC 1/2" inch or so, but this was a 5 minute fix and works exactly the same way. :thumbs

 

Congradulations! I was waiting for you to finally get your car setup!

This is what I learned from the thousands of miles I have already put on my STS Z06.

A wideband setup with a live gauge is invaluable! Logging of course is just as important, but on the average day, when I don't feel like having a laptop tied to me, looking at a simple digital gauge to see the "status" of your tune is very important.

I have tweaked my A/F setting a bunch of times, and there is no way this would be possible without a realiable wideband O2 setup. So get one immediately!

Secondly, your fantastic gas milage will go away as soon as you see how much fun the car is during boost!

I have had zero problems with the oiling system, and I have put LOTS of miles on my car. The only thing to note (not a problem), is the resistor that controls the low speed setting of the pump, gets to be slightly cooler than the surface of the sun! So don't ever touch it when it has been on, and don't freak out if the plastic insulation that covers the wires starts to spontanious melt one day! It smelled bad so I trimmed back the insulation with snippers one day; no more smell...

I welded a pipe the lets the wastegae exit just short of the exhuast tipe, but the sound remained the same. I ordered a second wastegate since I plan on turning up the boost soon and want to avoid any possibpe boost creep. I have been running 5.5 pounds to date, and plan on increasing it to 7. (for now!)

No meth for me yet.

As for part throttle stumbling, it seems to only occur when the engine requires very little fuel (very short injector pulse). I just chalk this up to really big injectors on a stock engine (no boost situation). I tried a few things to reduce the stumble, but I still get a little. IMHO nothing to worry about.

Enjoy, and be safe. On stock tires, you will light them up on the highway easy! I put a set of Nitto RIIs on the car, and it transformed it!

Tommy

 

you're theory on the stumble definitely makes sense. The 60's definitely aren't open much.

I'm going to run these tires till they're gone (ovbiously), but I dont' plan on going to DR's after that. I plan on using the tires as the "fuse" in the system. If the tires are spinning, the clutch is still hooking, the half-shafts aren't breaking, etc. It's a reusable fuse! I'll just need a good tires sponsor ASAP

where'd you get your wideband?

 

I ordered an LC-1, but I do not remeber where. I came with a "dynotune" brand digital display. All for less than $300.

I installed the bung about 1/3 way from the turbo to the exhaust tip (outlet side...)

Tommy

PS Your fuse will get annoying real fast!

 

Any pics of the pipe routing underneath the car? Specifically around the oil unit and headers. Wonder if I will have an interference with the LG headers. Thanks for the write up. I am waiting on track times before making the jump.

 

Nice write up. Enjoy the kit. I don't have the stumble you mentioned, but I'm an A4 running the 60# injectors.

 

thank you for the encouraging words, fellas. It really means a lot.

I don't have any pictures from under the car. However, if you can get me a picture of the LG's on the car, looking straight up at the oil filter area, I could definitely tell you if you'll have issues.

Is anyone else running LT's on an STS car? I was going to pull them, but I really think they add to the exhaust note. This might just be as loud at WOT as my SLP's were

the stumble is not an issue. If a pay close attention to it a low speeds, I can feel it. Other than that, not a problem at all!

Lastly, it's nice to finally have the "equipment" required to be in this section... even if it's "just" an STS kit

 

This maybe a stupid question, but was sound does the wastegate make, I'm familiar with the sound of a BOV, but not a waste gate.

 

imagine the sound of a great deal of exhaust gas passing through an 1.5" hole... it's very much like a loud WOOOOSHING sound.

If the STS owners don't like it, there's pretty much nothing we can do about it. Routing it back to the tail pipes isn't likely to do anything as the tails are so short, the sound won't change much. It may get slightly quieter, but I don't mind it... I don't DISlike it enough to change it.

 

Long tubes and turbos - you're the KING!

 

I know the sound, I always though that was the velocity of the exhaust.

Just proving I'm still a newbie...

 

FWIW,

I have a custom exhaust setup to redue the noise. It was made by Synergy in CA. I believe both wastegates are routed back to the mufflers, so the woosh sound is significantly reduced. Ideal for stealth set up. Hey Congrats again on get the system setup.

Lewis

 

Glad you like it...