Well I consider myself a real cheap ***. I sourced everything I could at the time for the best price I could find. I researched to find best options for the price, and I tallied it up in a spreadsheet and did a comparison to retail cost. Both columns show final cost after shipping and taxes.

I thought this would be good to post for any people thinking of getting into a boosting their G35 with the Vortech kit and wanted to know what they're truly getting into. Like many newbs, I thought I would just get a used kit for $2800 and throw it on. However, also wanting a reliable car, I started adding the supporting mods. After putting this together, I found out I'm spending a lot more than initially anticipated. Obviously what you could get it for on a forum deal and new from the right vendor will vary from what I have, but this for a general idea. Parts and Labor are broken out if you plan to install yourself. This doesn't include any cooling mods either.

Let me know what you guys think....

 

Nice reference for people thinking of going this way.

 

You said that you didn't include any cooling mods, but I see a Stillen oil cooler there.

You also have useless mods there like the cam cover and catch can ( If you have a healthy engine, it's useless. I have ZERO oil problems with my PCV system on my 85K mile engine. ).

Then you have strange mods like an SCi trim impeller ( why? ), a 3.12 pulley when you already have a 2.87 ( again, why? ), new couplers ( why? x3 ).

Then we go to the gauges... why on earth would you spend almost $500 in gauges when you're on a budget? I got all my gauges brand new ( boost, fuel pressure and wideband ) for about $200.

In the end, I spent about $7000 on my car with some used parts and some new parts....but my list is VERY different from yours and if I would have bought everything new I'd have about $11K into it without having top of the self brand parts.

Why did I choose a SC over a turbo...ease of install and maintenance was my priority and the vortech did just that.

 

Also, forget about the 550cc injectors unless you get a fuel return system.

 

Agreed, get the return system if consistency/reliability are your goals. You could also skip the HPX MAF if you want to use the money elsewhere. Upgraded MAF is definitely not a requirement for 400whp and adds significantly to the tuning labor if you want it to run right.

 

According to Vince at RT you need the HPX for anything over 350whp or something like that. I wouldn't know since I got the HPX from the start but he swears by it....lol.

 

With a fuel return it is not needed for 400whp dynojet. With HPX the MAF table has to be retuned before actual tuning begins if you want to avoid hot/cold start issues (in otherwords more tuning labor). And if your HPX MAF ever goes bad, you'll need another tune since no two HPX are exactly the same. Right before my car went on a dyno I watched another guy max his stock MAF out at 420whp with the same turbo kit and he could run it past since he had a fuel return. Ideal no... works fine? yes.

 

I meant cooling mods in terms of upgraded Radiator, Fans & Shroud, Thermostat, pathfinder mod, etc for cooling the engine.

I had to get a couple new couplers from a couple being chewed up with holes in them since it was a used kit.

Not sure if I needed a the cam cover, but some people with the initial belt layout and pulley mod had some clearance issues and rubbing against the cover. For the price, it was good insurance for me to not have to worry about the rubbing.

My kit was the original SC trim. When I sent it in for the rebuild, Vortech said they noticed there was a bend in the impeller, and they couldnt just replace the impeller because they discontinued the SC trim. So they had to upgrade the housing and impeller to the SCi trim. (I looked at the impeller initially and didn't notice major damage. Could be Vortech just wanting to make an extra buck. But while it was there, I figured I would have it done. This is just something noted for people who purchased a used kit)

The oil catch can along with everything in that first section came with the used SC kit I bought, so figured I would throw it on.

As for gauges, I initially was looking at Pro Sport, but the amount of negative reviews and amount of sending unit failures was too high for my comfort. I didnt want to spend a grand on Defi gauges, so I felt the STRi had good reviews and was mid-line type gauge for the price. I didnt want to be cheap, then have to fix stuff shortly down the road, or have a failed gauge not inform me of a crucial problem.

The 2.87 pulley came with the kit. I felt that the 3.12 was a safer bet (and it only cost me $45), and I would keep the 2.87 if I wanted more later or wasn't happy with initial results.

Hopefully that answers your questions.

Every accessory you put on is going to be subjective to the individuals research, preference and budget.

As for the HPX maf, the tuner recommended it and was very familiar with tuning it, said he had come across people with similar setups maxing out the stock MAF. Other tuners may charge more.

 

Everything you said makes sense I guess. How much power do you want though? The amount of power you are looking for is what will make you choose what mods you really need.

I'd go with the 928 impeller since you have to upgrade.

I'd also get a fuel return if I were you. My did everything better after the fuel return.

 

I'm looking to make around 380-400WHP. The housing, impeller and install from Vortech is less than the 928 impeller by itself. I haven't researched fuel return line. I will hit the forums and do some research on this. Any particular one you recommend?

 

I just noticed they raised the price on the 928 impeller...it's nearly $600...YIKES! WTF?!

For 400whp on the 550cc injectors a fuel return is a must....I just don't think you'll be able to do it without it. I couldn't ( I have 550cc injectors and I was static at only 360whp ).

I got the AAM Stage 1 kit because I found one cheap, but CJ-Motorsports has a decent return kit for only $425 which I believe is the cheapest there is and it's good quality.

 

Don't see an EMS listed. How are you tuning this kit?

 

Uprev tune reflashes the stock ecu an hpx maf is all that is needed for engine management.

 

Don't forget the $300 Uprev license if going to a pro-tuner or $700 for non-pro or self tune.