First of all I want to say thanks to everyone on this site for sharing their experiences and providing great support! I picked up several tips that made this install somewhat easier!

Ok, back to the STS system - the install was done on jack stands and was much easier than I had anticipated. Overall, it took about 28-30 hours, but I’m sure it can be done faster (particularly after becoming familiar with the system). As has been repeated a number of times, the toughest part was getting the charge pipes through the rockers. In my car, some glue had formed in the shape of a bubble inside the rocker, and it was impeding the driver side charge pipe from passing through the rocker. I couldn’t break it loose (I’m sure part of the problem was size of the work area). I ended up using a hacksaw blade with a handle extension, which was just long enough to reach the stuff. It took quite a while to cut through it (probably because I couldn’t put much force on the blade). The passenger side, although difficult, did not have the glue issue of the driver side.

Here are the details on the car and the non-stock power components:The car made about 480 RWHP on a dynojet, which was a little lower than I thought it would produce. However, it made about 518 RWTQ at about 4100 RPM. This seems to be significantly higher than most other stock C5s with STS systems (at least from what I've seen). Not sure why the torque is (relatively) high, but I’ll take it.

Driving the car is a blast, although there are some issues. Full boost (8PSI) seems to come on late in first gear. Further, after the 1-2 shift boost drops a bit before it kicks back in. I suspect performance may improve after some “spirited” driving to heat up the pipes, but I have not yet verified this. The dyno chart below shows peek torque at about 4100RPM. This chart was generated after several pulls, so I know everything was at "operating temperature".



All in all, I’m happy with the kit. Everything fit perfectly, power production is great, temps are around 200 degrees, and the sound is awesome! My only complaint is noted above.

I plan on taking it to the track next Tuesday (weather permitting) to see what this thing will do. I suspect it will run somewhere in the 11s (at least I hope so).

 

Wow, thats some first post. Grats on the STS system and the install. Also I agree, those STS systems sound wicked.

Darion

 

Very nice recap of the install and very good numbers for staying stock. Let us know the track results

 

Congratulations on your STS TT Vette. 480RWHP is also where I'm at with 7.5-8 lbs of boost. You can see from your graph, as mine also showed, that the LS-1 engine just doesn't flow the air at the upper RPM's. The stock LS-1 heads, cam and intake just restrice the flow compared to the LS-6 set-up. But it is still great numbers for a nicebolt-on kit.

Also, you will really love driving it once you get a chance to heat up the pipes and turbos. There is definetely a noticable difference in performance once you get the whole system up to temperature. If you really like it now, you'll love it once the full power is at your hands (or feet )

 

Ahh, it is like a breath of fresh air seeing new guy on the site that is honest with nothing to prove.

Very nice review and congratulations on doing the install yourself.

I'm not a huge sts fan myself, but I do think the system has some major pluses.

Here is something you may want to try to help the spool (which seems to be your only complaint). I'm about 95% sure you will notice a big difference if you do this. Wrap the entire exhaust with heat wrap (up to the turbos).

If I remember correctly, sts uses mild steel with some coating on their hot pipes (so you may want to only wrap up to those pipes, since the wrap will have long term wear issues on mild steel.

Heat loss is the enemy of a rear mount.

 

cool. being up to temp obviously helps.

you might want to double check for leaks..

 

Just here to say congrats on the system and to follow QS's recommendation. Keeping as much heat in these pipes as possible is the goal. Not only will it help get the turbines up to operating temperature faster, it should help spool, AND keep the tunnel cooler.

Also, as he mentioned... do not wrap the 'over-the-axle' pipes as the coating will deteriorate.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! I plan on giving the exhaust wrap a try to see what it does. From what I've read on LS1Tech, it provides a noticeable improvement.

FWIW, I have two successive dyno runs with the same settings. The second one (which is the one posted above) shows a higher peak torque (518.5 vs. 491.4), and hits peak about 600 RPM earlier.

 

you might want to try a ls6 intake manifold for some more power. i have a auto same setup but with 42 lbs injectors and lpe fuel pump no boost controller i made 503 rwhp and 464 rwtq. although your up on tq you seem low on hp . i do have longtube headers also. just my thoughts . anyway congradulations drive it like you stole it. maybee we can meet up. i am on the east side of cleveland. my car is black convt

 

I thought about upgrading the heads, intake and cam, but quickly realized I need to upgrade my driveline. I plan on getting a new clutch, output shafts, and DTE brace over the winter. My stock clutch is going through the sticky pedal syndrome. Clutch fluid is dark in color, so I started following the Ranger plan to see if that helps.

stunna, depending on the weather, I'm planning to head to the track this Tuesday 11/19 (Dragway 42) or Friday 11/22 (Norwalk). If you're interested in going, let me know.

 

NigelTufnel,

Let me know when your going to 42, I live in Brunswick and would like to tag along. I was at the shop when your car was on the dyno, it sound pretty cool when the turbos spooled up. I would like to go for a ride sometime to feel the difference between the blower and turbos.

 

PM sent... Anyone else?

 

UPDATE - the car ran a best of 11.745 at 122.66. Details are in the Performance Results section.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1503781

 

Congratulations. Nice results.