For my part it's been over 30 000 km (about 20 000 miles). Blew the gaskets that came with the kit (replaced for turbonetics) but the manifold hasn't cracked and the kit has been reliable up to now. But it have been 75% remade when it was installed.
My biggest problem was that it doesn't fit at all "bolt on" like advertised. Other wise my friends are all impressed by the kit.
Mind you I also do some occasional lapping days with my car and this demands a lot from a turbocharged engine.
Right now the car is already stored for winter, we already receive 6 inch of snow here
My buddy just bought this kit for his 00 ex and it fits like a dream and acctually comes with good parts. Just figured I would show people that want a cheap relyable kit that there is one now and compare it to SS or XS just by looking at the peices well put together kit I am going to get one for my next project http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VECCO...QQcmdZViewItem
Mods: Well, IT'S STOCK EXCEPT FOR MY 5000hp shot of nitrous!
...
I figured I'd drop my 2cents in. I have over the years used and installed many forced induction kits. Whether they be superchargers or turbos. Since this is about a turbo charger kit I will Lean toward that side of the conversation. I have personally installed one of the JACKSON RACING TURBO KITS on my old teggy(89') (that was forever ago). If you don't remember JR making turbo kits, you haven't been doing this long enough. Just a little history on how far back my experience goes.
There are two types of kits out there - complete bolt on like the Greddy,drag and edlebrock. Then there are turbo kits that are more of a 'tuner' style kit. Typically less expensive because they are more of a universal style kit that may require modification to work for you. The XSPower and SSAutochrome kits are of this type.
Now a COMPLETE PER APPLICATION kit anyone should be able to install - the R&D is there to make it work right and fit properly. But you just paid $3000 for that. But it is a VERY safe bet that your not going to have problems with your kit and if you do - you paid the extra money for them to answer the phone in the event that your kit fails. If you don't know what a wideband O2 sensor is or how to even utilize one or why a fuel pressure gauge is important- stick with this style of turbo kit - it is setup for people like you.
Try to think that XS and SS don't sell complete kits - (I haven't found a complete kit from them YET) They don't offer anything for fuel/engine management - your first sign that this kit isn't complete. They offer you a CORE setup - one that gives you the basic hard parts you need to install a turbo and make it work - with some knowledge and tuning and some more money these kits can be rewarding. But they are in no means a beginner's place to start. These kits actually require you to know what your doing - otherwise you will wind up having problems.
You wouldn't expect a engine a first time 18Y/O rebuilt to be overly reliable especially if he did it himself without ANY instruction or help. The same thing applies here. You are giving somthing without ANY instructions to people that have never installed a turbo before. So yeah they are going to have alot to complain about. I honestly feel that Alot of the porblems associated with these kits comes from the lack of the installers knowledge.
I cannot speak for the quality of the products, But I can say that I have pulled out of the box stuff from greddy, drag, edelbrock, dart, spearco and a SLEW of other companies that had somthing wrong with it right out of the box. The only difference is that they actually answered the phone when you called them for warranty issues.
In closing - Is SS or XS junk? Or does it suffer from lack of installation knowledge and proper fitment?
HENRY
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Your RICECAR is NOT a RACECAR - Don't drive it like one.
Used clutches are alot like toilet paper - Why would you reuse it?
the only thing that can be useful from ss autochrome for hondas is their intercoolers other than that the manifold, fuel rails, turbos, cranks, and cams sucks, i started with a ss kit and ended up replacing the manifold and turbo, i bought my own rc injectors and bov and ecu though...oh yeah their fuel rail was bling bling though...almost a copy of str
Mods: Chipped ecu, Short throw shifter, T04E turbo manifold wastegate, intercooled @ 8psi- Sold 2000 civic si Short throw shifter, no ac no ps custom exhaust, konig 17 unknowns.. (for sale-rims)
speaking on DC sport header, My friend has *True* DC Sports header on his civic ex, and it looks like shit, it isn't that old but it's all grey and shit and starting to peel, and i know for a fact it's a true..not to mention the badge but i was with him when he purchased it, i mean hell i gota eBay 4-1 stainless racing header for like 88 bucks to my door and got more compliments on it than my greddy cat back or my greddy short throw shifter..... with some brands your only buying their name, that's why i buy cheap but*RELIABLE* shit, i won't go out and buy SSAC but maybe a T04E turbo, mani, DP flange, and oil feed line for like 300 bucks, yeah i would do that, mainly because it's hard for me to get a total of 3 grand or whatever it might take to get a *so called Quality turbo kit, or a turbo kit with a expensive name badge stuck to it! This is my opinion, but this thread is good it expresses alot of different opinions...!
Quote:
Originally Posted by L0g1k
The ssmanifolds is tig welded so it's not that bad. Actually, the welding quality impressed me. That's pretty much the only thing that impressed me.
The stainless of the manifold seems to be pretty thin too. Well it's thicker than a DC sport headder imitation sold on Ebay, but it's about the same thickness (if not a bit thinner) than a real DC sport headder. For a turbo application, I'm a bit worried. The flange are really thick tough, that's at least one thing I can rely on.
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(1994 integra LS-T)-(turbo-13.3's on street tires)-Sold due to money problems...
(1991 CRX with LS Swap)- stock for now.
(2000 civic SI)-SRI, underdrive pulley, Short throw shifter, no ac no ps (W/ loop n breather kit) HKS high power exhaust, gutted lowered...ALOT, MSD ignition..
VTEC FTW!!!!!!!!!
Mitsubishi uses garret turbos. Like i said about 200million posts ago my experiance was good on multiple cars. I agree most of the problems are a result of people who have no idea what they are doing. These are not complete kits and are not set up to just bolt on keep this in mind and do some research and with a bit of work you can get a decient kit.
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If you don't have something worth dieing for what's the point in living?
Mods: Header + full Catback, Short ram intake, MSD Wires, Flat black 15x6.5 Motegi Traklites, Rotor over Hub conversion.
The PVC will definatly hold the pressure, lol AND the heat. The biggest problem I would see is that it could easily fracture if it got jostled around at all.
Ever taken a walmart garden hose (not the lifetime warranty) and tightened up a nozzle while the hose had a little pressure on it? It breaks. MMM engines LOVE plastic debris.
That god damn pvc piping is great shit. I laughed my ass off.
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Everything you ever need to know about motor oil.
well its been YEARS now still good no crack no Explosions! about to put a xs kit on my 95 supra ill put up pictures!!! Just thought i would make a point to drop back in. yep thats right MY mk4 supra there is trust. Go to clubna-t.com See how many people are installing these and getting 500+ reliable hp.
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If you don't have something worth dieing for what's the point in living?
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