Hi guys, I'm loving the 08 c6, but im getting the FI itch. I'm looking for those smarter than me to give me some recommendations on planning my FI build (for late 09). Car is bone stock except for Corsa Sports.

Power goals and purpose:
This will be a semi DD. Low mileage (maybe 1k/month), but primarily a street car. No drag strip for me. I've got a bike for the track, but I imagine this c6 will eventually make it on the tarmac a few weekends a year. No built engine (until I grenade it ). And power goals are *gasp* 550-600 rwhp.

Options:
Gonna need some help here. I am leaning towards the A&A (V2Si, 3.8 pulley, 6 rib). By lurking around in the forums, it seems as if my power goal should be pretty feasible). I also really like the intercooler solution as well as his responsiveness to the Corvette community. Option 2 is the TTiX. While I think its overkill to only tune to 550 hp on this system, it will allow for future upgrades.

Budgeting:
Talking about upfront cost here (kit/install/tune). For A&A, 10k looks like i can get out the door? For the TTiX, looks like it will be closer to 15k? Tires and the loads of hot chicks throwing their panties at me not included in this cost. I know this will hurt the wallet.

Maintenance:
Ive long been a fan of turbo cars (last one being a ~315 awhp Evo8) and as much of a clunker that was, it didn't give me too many problems. Regular oil changes and a turbo timer was all i needed. This should be similiar to the TTiX system right? Superchargers seem like a different beast to me. Belts require maintenance? Pulleys?

Shop:
England Green is semi close to me, and seems to have a good following on the forum. i will make it down there to check it out, and maybe pick their brains and check out the shop.

Misc:
Any other items I should budget for? Needs to run on Pump gas (91 octane + 10% crapanol in texas). No meth injection. No big cam. Hi-flow Cats required. Do not need upgradeability past 700rwhp. No big rubber/widebody, I like the vette just as it looks (will accept a FI hood).

I appreciate any insight you guys can give. Fix my expectations if they are wrong. And if you can't tell, I'm leaning towards the A&A kit, unless someone convinces me otherwise.

 

Power goals: An A&A kit would meet your goals, and allow for more power in the future by going with a smaller pulley and 8 rib setup.

Options: Going with the V2Si is fine, I went with the V2 T-trim. The V2Si is more efficient, meaning less heat, but the V2T can provide more horsepower. I went with a 6 rib 4" pulley because I want to keep my boost somewhat low, a 3.8" should put you at 9 or 10psi. I believe my 4" will put me at 7 or 8, but I'm also doing a blower grind so I might end up a smidge below 7 or 8. Unlike a turbo, the pulley size (all else remaining constant) will determine your psi. In a turbo, you choose what psi you want to run. With a s/c, you choose what pulley. There are other factors as well, such as if you get headers or a small cam (increase air capacity, thus reducing psi / decrease backpressure).

Budgeting: $5500 for the A&A kit (sometimes they sell for $5200 and sometimes even deals for $4500), and most places will charge you around $2300 for the install and tune. But you will want to get a gauge pillar w/ gauges, show that's another ~$700 including install. Without gauges, $7800 out the door, with gauges $8500. That's not even the cost of the TTiX yet

Maintenance: Regular oil changes are still needed The V2 series means whenever you change your oil, the oil which the s/c uses also gets changed (because you tap into your oil pan). The V3 series uses a self-contained oil pan, so you'd just have to remember to change that out separately. Belts are like any other belts, you just check them when you get your oil changed and see if they might need to be replaced anytime soon.

Shop: Find one you trust and make sure they don't overcharge you.

Misc: You can just get the A&A kit and be done, but seeing as how you have a manual it might also be in your best interest to upgrade your clutch - they're prone to failure. Also, a lot of people will tell you headers, which are recommended but not required. And if you want to do them later, you can.

Other than that, watch out for wheel hop. You'll need some good tires, widest you can go on stock OEM wheels is 275 up front & 305 on the back.

 

Feel free to give us a call if you would like to discuss your FI options.

 

Options:
A&A kit is a nicely laid out kit, and installs relatively easy, Andy and Steve do have pretty good forum support. The Plumbing on their kit is not my favorite but it works just fine. I do like the more front mounted intercooler set up with this kit, but you have to run the Dewitt’s radiator, which isn’t a bad idea to begin with, just another 700 dollars.
ECS kit is also a very good kit, and completely equivalent. The difference in head units are negligible, both are quality made products by Vortech, and Paxton respectfully. The ECS bracket setup is nicer in my opinion, easier to change the belt, and tension is very good for moderate boost levels. The A&A kit is a several hour swap for the blower belt. All in all I think both kits are nice, I lean slightly towards the ECS kits based on our installs.
Now as for turbochargers, the TTIX kit very nice, with your EVO experience you should have a good handle on maintaining them. The power band is a little wider with turbos'. The twin setup wont do as much for bling* factor (I call it) as you really will not be able to see much from just opening the hood, versus the blower setup where the head unit is right up front. I am a turbo guy, I don’t like all the load the engine has to put out to turn the supercharger over, and I like flatter power bands which powers stay very linear in their power slopes.

Cost:
A&A kit is going to run you more then the ECS kit with the FMIC set up and the new radiator upgrade, and it’s a little more typically time wise to install. The ECS kit is going to be in the same cost range, slightly lower, on install and kit purchase. Either will produce similar power, or similar net results. I think either kit installed should be easily under ten grand, or there about (at least at our shop, and it depends on what extras you choose to add on)
TTIX kit is going to run you about 4k more just for the kit initially and then install is much more involved, I would say 15K may be on the low side, but I have not crunched the numbers. But turbos’ are fantastic !

Maintenance:
The blower kit is very low maintenance, follows standard oil change procedures, and inspect the blower belt periodically for wear or cracking, and that’s about it. This is where most blower setups have an advantage over turbos’. Turbos, well there are two of them now, so you have a little more concern of lubrication over time. There are just more pieces and parts to the turbo set up, although I think if you run the kit in modest power ranges it should be just as low maintenance, there is just potential for a few more issues with a twin set up.

Shop:
There are a lot of really nice shops in Texas; I am not familiar with England green. LMR seems to do a very nice job, and Taylor at Dallas performance would be worth the drive for.

Misc:
I would think about a wideband gauge, boost, ECT, so gauges may factor in. Also on an LS7 car consider the Harland Sharp rocker arm service. Beyond that with what you mentioned above there is not a lot more to consider (albeit the turbo set up has a few more bells and whistles to consider).

Last, good luck, and if you have questions you can call me or Eric (our tuner) and we can give you any free guidance you may need.

Brandon

 

Another vote for A&A here. I did alot of research, talked to alot of people and drove cars with different systems. A&A had the best kit at the best price and the best customer service. A Vortech V2 T trim went on my car.

 

See my avatar

 

Thanks for all the feedback!

I will look into the ECS kit and do a bit of research.

Double thanks on the boost numbers of the pulleys for A&A! I think 10 psi may be a bit much on the initial build so I may go with the larger pulley.

I look forward to joining the lost traction club!