I am looking for a little information from some of the more knowledgeable members of the site. While on here, I have seen quiet a few companies putting out a turbo/tune for our car now...However, each has a down side...My question is this, which one is TRULEY the best? Which can I really on to put out the MOST power, and boost, while not forcing me to get a new engine all the time (i.e. blow outs)...? Hit me back with suggestions and links, also any mods that will need to accompany that particular kit...I have been reading up on the Alpine, and it comes WITH the needed tune...

 

Presently Alpine is the only retail kit for the car. Garrett is supposed to have their kit in spring. It will also have tuning.

I don't like the Alpine kit personally. It uses a piggyback. It also injects fuel into the plastic intake manifold which should never be done.

 

Alright, that was what I was hearing...Yeah, the other one I was looking at WAS Garret...So I think I may steer clear of the Alpine...

 

That's why there are different approaches, and different suppliers! We each have our preferences. Isn't capitalism wonderful? I, for one, am glad of the (admittedly small) selection out there.

 

Yeah dude, I am FINE with a lack of selection, as long as the selection available is quality. Since I haven't used ANY of the kits yet, I have no preference. I simply want some accounts from different people about the different ways they went about doing it. Also, I want some SUGGESTIONS as to which kits would benefit me most...Most horse power, torque, and boost gain, with the least chances of sacrificing something else. For example, someone was talking about the Alpine kit, and how it MAY be responsible for several engine blow outs? Then, there is the Garret kit that is coming out...It is looking pretty good, it also isn't boasting rediculously high numbers? So I am lost...

P.S.
The term "piggyback" is COMPLETELY new to me. I haven't ever heard it before when talking about computer tunes? Can someone explain that, AND its pros or cons?

P.S.S.
Has anyone got any advice about getting sponsorships, or hook-ups on parts? That would really help...

 

there is no computer tune on a 2.2 right now... i piggy back is a diff. cpu that tricks the current computer.

and btw... lack of selection = A. your stuck with using those companies (they dont have to be quality) B. Higher prices...

 

personally...I would wait.

One kit has no tuning and the other uses a 5th injector and piggyback. I'd wait til there are better options available before I started shopping for a turbo setup.

 

yea everything out right now is "rigged" to work imo.... you need proper tuning tools to do the job right.

 

The piggy-back approach isn't inherently bad. It's been a staple in the aftermarket turbo world for some time. Corky Bell in his book Maximum Boost talks about them, and not in a negative light.

While the stock MAP sensor will go about 1 bar positive (in other words, even though the stock car doesn't have FI, the sensor seems to be able to tell the computer about boost), and you can use HPTune to increase fuel under boost, there's some question about whether HPTune can use MAP readings to decrease the timing curve (not sure if those two parameters can be tied together in that way, or, logically, whether HPTune can tell the computer IF BOOST = X, TIMING = -Y). One thing that the piggy-back used by Alpine does is adjust advance through "tricking" the stock PCM. It also increases fuel through the 5th injector (again, a system used in the past by other kits on other cars - Corky Bell mentions it in his book, but isn't as enamored of it as some other authors). BTW, that same piggy-back can be used to increase fuel through the existing injector set-up, by adding bigger injectors and wiring the piggy-back differently. Alpine was talking to me about that a few days ago.

 

Alpine Kit: http://www.tntautosport.com/store/in...ea8a15412661a1

Garrett Kit: http://www.tntautosport.com/store/in...ea8a15412661a1


Garrett kit is more about quality, but offers no tuning solution, and in turn is better for the 2.4L since tuning is available.

The Alpine kit is specificly for the 2.2 as tuning is available and included via the SMT-6 piggy back, but lacks in some areas (plastic intake manifold), but still works like a charm.

 

does the 2.4L SS have a plastic manifold???

 

Alright, cool, I am starting to get the information I was looking for. Right now, I am thinking I will simply wait. I mean, the two kits available I know about, seem alright in one light, but down in another...I am REALLY aching for some more horses, but I guess I will have to patient. i finally grasp the concept behind the piggy back...The one other thing I was wondering about it was this: (I heard it SLIGHTLY mentioned on another thread)-Instead of using the fifth injector, what if you simply swapped in bigger injectors, and still ran 4? Or, would you simply be better off replacing the stock manifolds? I was thinking of ordering the GMPP performane manifolds...

 

not to mention a guy i know just blew apart his cobalt plastic intake manifold w/ only 7 psi on his turbo kit.

here is the instal procedure for the piggy back turbo system

http://alpine-developments.us/Alpine...2520cooker.pdf

the guy w/ this on his 2.2 cobalt is Emo for the masses on my myspace page. the piggyback system being use is the one i have posted this link to the SMT-6. Its $400 and it comes with tuning software and wiring harness for plug and play w/ our computers.

ohhh, here is a link for a CNC aluminum version of our plastic intake manifold made by Venom.

http://www.venom-performance.com/nf/html/prodtoc.cfm

I'll even put in a picture of the venom intake manifold replacement for our plastic one



the problem with going w/ bigger injectors is our ECU not being able to work them properly. in the install i didnt see anything about hooking up the SMT-6 to the injecotr system. it simply just adds in the 5th injector. i might be wrong about this and its not a full complete install guide.

 

i dont think that venom intake is for sale anymore, but hahn racecraft has one and i think alpine is making one as well.

 

Concerning the plastic manifold on the 2.4 LE5, it wouldn't be an issue as long as no fuel is passed through it. The Garrett kit will more then likely replace the stock injectors with larger units, so the plastic manifold would be fine.