STS owners, please step inside
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 593
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From: Pleasanton CA
STS owners, please step inside
I'm seriously considering the STS kit and want to hear from you owners about what you like about the kit and what you want to (or had to) change to make it right. I own a "conventional" turbo car, but I've never ridden in a remote mount setup. The first big question is, how different is it than a centrifugal car?
My turbo car has a little engine with no torque of its own, so it doesn't count!
Jeff
My turbo car has a little engine with no torque of its own, so it doesn't count!
Jeff
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From: Romeo MI
Do a search. I'm also strongly considering an STS system and found a lot of information on this forum by searching STS.
You can expect some additional lag compared with conventional set-ups, but if your current car isn't a V8 then the lag shouldn't bother you because an N/A V8 makes plenty of torque at low rpm. Some people wrap their exhaust to maintain as much heat energy as possible to reduce the lag. Ball bearing turbo upgrade should also help. From a fundamental turbocharger perspective, it not as efficient as an underhood system but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's own benefits. I track my car so I like the rear mount from a heat managment perspective. Plus I'm thinking about welding in dumps so I can basically run N/A at the track. You can't do that with an underhood system because you would still get boost creep even with the wastegates wide open. I believe installation is also another benefit.
BTW, centrifugal refers to a type of supercharger. Good luck!
You can expect some additional lag compared with conventional set-ups, but if your current car isn't a V8 then the lag shouldn't bother you because an N/A V8 makes plenty of torque at low rpm. Some people wrap their exhaust to maintain as much heat energy as possible to reduce the lag. Ball bearing turbo upgrade should also help. From a fundamental turbocharger perspective, it not as efficient as an underhood system but that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's own benefits. I track my car so I like the rear mount from a heat managment perspective. Plus I'm thinking about welding in dumps so I can basically run N/A at the track. You can't do that with an underhood system because you would still get boost creep even with the wastegates wide open. I believe installation is also another benefit.
BTW, centrifugal refers to a type of supercharger. Good luck!
Will work for HPDE time.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 7
From: Orlando FL
There's a lot to look at when you're considering turbos.
I've posted a ton on this topic on both ls1gto dot com and ls1tech. STS is fundamentally a good kit, but it leaves a lot on the table in the 60-1 version. I have upgraded almost the entire kit, and there's still bugs to work out.
If you do go ahead with it, keep this in mind:
-Ronnie
I've posted a ton on this topic on both ls1gto dot com and ls1tech. STS is fundamentally a good kit, but it leaves a lot on the table in the 60-1 version. I have upgraded almost the entire kit, and there's still bugs to work out.
If you do go ahead with it, keep this in mind:
- You're 2-300rpm off in spool time vs front-mounts.
- Reduced ground clearance means you'll sweat bullets on angled driveways and speed bumps
- You need to keep your manifolds...LT's will compound the lag
- No cats. They like to break apart and wreak havoc.
- Get the intercooler.
- Replace all the poor-quality couplers with good silicone ones.
- Ditch the worm-gear clamps and buy t-bolt clamps, otherwise your couplers will pop off every time you get in boost.
- Remember to dimple or roll the cold-side tubing in addition to the clamps
- For a LSx motor, I think a T-67 or T-76 is a better choice for airflow, depending on the level of the build. I have a low comp 364 with ported heads and a lot of other junk. I went with a ball-bearing PT76GTS.
- Supporting mods that are necessary: pushrods, springs, fuel pump upgrade, and you'll be happier with bigger injectors
- Keep it at or below 550whp for longevity.
- Have fun!!!
-Ronnie
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 593
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From: Pleasanton CA
Thanks for the replies and PMs! I did search STS, but the concentration of useful (for me) information was very low and the list was very long.
My Camaro (see avatar) had a Vortech YS trim, I drove a C5 with a Maggie for a couple years, and then a Porsche 996tt, which only means that I've had some experience with various forms of FI. But I have not experienced remote turbos on a torquey V8. What I'm trying to figure out is how different a well executed remote mount would be than, say, my Camaro.
Jeff
My Camaro (see avatar) had a Vortech YS trim, I drove a C5 with a Maggie for a couple years, and then a Porsche 996tt, which only means that I've had some experience with various forms of FI. But I have not experienced remote turbos on a torquey V8. What I'm trying to figure out is how different a well executed remote mount would be than, say, my Camaro.
Jeff
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 12,725
Likes: 14
From: ECS : WTF did you break now and HTF did you break it this time
I had the sts system on my 03Z. forged motor, big fuel system, meth 700+ at the wheels etc.
Car would trap great 136-141, but would never run the number with a 6 speed. With the car showroom stock I ran it as fast as a 12.09 so I'm not a terrible 6 speed driver. Without powershifting I'd lose boost thru the gears, first would only make 7, second maybe 9-10, then third would get down to business at 14 and fourth as well. Every shift the car had to spool again. The worm drive clamps worked with 14-15 pounds. I did crush numerous pipes that go under the front cradle. I did rip the mounts off of both pipes that come out of the turbos, I did blow out the 2 bolt flange gaskets where a normal catback attaches (right outside the trans) We even coated my manifolds, pulled my cats and replaced with bullet mufflers and heat wrapped those pipes the whole way back to get it spooling faster.
I went with an ecs paxton on my current FRC with the same built 346, and I honestly have higher hopes for it but it hasn't seen the track to seriously comment. I probably spent the better part of 2 years with the STS stuff and decided to try something else this time around, to the point of selling the sts used and cash out of pocket.
Obviously everyone's results will vary
Car would trap great 136-141, but would never run the number with a 6 speed. With the car showroom stock I ran it as fast as a 12.09 so I'm not a terrible 6 speed driver. Without powershifting I'd lose boost thru the gears, first would only make 7, second maybe 9-10, then third would get down to business at 14 and fourth as well. Every shift the car had to spool again. The worm drive clamps worked with 14-15 pounds. I did crush numerous pipes that go under the front cradle. I did rip the mounts off of both pipes that come out of the turbos, I did blow out the 2 bolt flange gaskets where a normal catback attaches (right outside the trans) We even coated my manifolds, pulled my cats and replaced with bullet mufflers and heat wrapped those pipes the whole way back to get it spooling faster.
I went with an ecs paxton on my current FRC with the same built 346, and I honestly have higher hopes for it but it hasn't seen the track to seriously comment. I probably spent the better part of 2 years with the STS stuff and decided to try something else this time around, to the point of selling the sts used and cash out of pocket.
Obviously everyone's results will vary
