If you could do either, which would you do? Which is the best way to go for the money? Counting in supporting mods you need (i.e. bigger HE for tvs, duel pass etc...)
Im in the early stages of planing a build and am want some advice from the cobalt gurus on here. PM me if you would rather not post in here. I dont want a big fight over which is better. There are pros and cons to both.


And if it helps right now my car has R.A.W. CAI, ARK DT-S exhaust, ZZP header/DP, 2.9 on GM stage2 tune.

 

well im not a guru. but i have been in deep thought over this as well. i think i am leaning twoards hanh stg 5. you could put out almost 600 hp with it. dont think id ever have that much but id try hard to get there. and with the tvs i think it would still be maxing out around 350hp, not sure bout that tho. so im curious as to where this thread goes, and i hope theres alot of good input!.

 

Hahn kit comes with everything you need. Puts out slightly more than the tvs at stock boost, but it will completely over take the TVS with just a few more PSI.

TVS is nice, but your going to need to get it tuned, and you need the 60s as well (hahn kit comes with both of these things).

the tvs is not just a tune and go at 320hp... Some people had trouble breaking 300hp because the tune just wasnt right.

TVS is alot cheaper, by far... but will not make the same power as a turbo.

 

I'd go TVS, but thats just personal preference.

Better power curve and you're going to be making too much power with an upgraded H5 for a FWD car anyway.

 

hahn.

the tune needs allot of work but its the vastly more efficient compressor.

 

i have NOT seen 600hp on a cobalt...

Although the kit doesnt seem to have much trouble going over 400.

 

i'd honestly say Hahn Level V > TVS...... reason being..... you'll spend almost as much for the TVS and every possible supporting mod to put down 325-350whp depending on the tune. when you can spend that money on the Hahn kit and put down 350+whp w/ just the Hahn canned tune that comes with it. and then you can turn around all sell all the parts that you just took off from being supercharged and get back atleast $1500. so in the end you'd be paying less for the Hahn kit and will be putting down more power

 

Oh noes! I sense an EPIC Thread!

 

did i miss something? i'm sorry but you can not put down "almost" 600hp with the Hahn Level V..... maybe if you do a completely built engine and upgrade the kit to come with the GT35R turbo, then it'll be possible, but thats when traction becomes a severe issue and that 600hp would be completely useless

 

This is the kind of info im looking for. Is the tune they have enough to get you moving safely or will I need to get a custom tune from the word go. Im not looking for a 400+ DD...350 would be just fine with me.

And before its brought up I know i'll need a new clutch and im going to get the OTTP rotated mounts. Stage II axles are on the list at some point. So much $$$ but I wanna take my time and plan this thing out and do it right.

 

in all honesty.... this thread shouldn't get the chance to become "epic"

this is a simple answer....... Hahn Level V > TVS, if you want i can break down the $ part of this, i've done it before

if your power goal is 350whp..... then the Hahn Level V kit straight out of the box is perfect for you. i've seen a stock ss/sc w/ this kit on it put down 360whp and after a custom tweaked tune... 390whp

 

I'm not a 'guru' either but its really based on what you want The Hahn kit can make some crazy *****-out power. 400whp isnt a problem with it. But you have to be able to put all that power to the ground. And the other thing you have to remember with the Hahn is how much build time it will need since it isnt basically a injector/sc swap like the tvs. Also are you gonna be using the balt as your daily driver? If so the Hahn might be too much (youd have to ask someone with it to really find that out).
Personally I like the tvs because other than tuning its fairly straight forward. And yea you can 'only' get 350whp, but is that a bad thing on the LSJ? If I was making anymore than that I'd be fully building the engine because (imo) it'll blow sooner or later.
Like I said, not guru or trying to bash Hahn or anything, just throwing some food for thought out there.

 

I have the Hahn Stage V but its not on my car yet. I don't understand why people say it's too much for a daily driver. Its not forcing you to use all 22 lbs of boost. Just because I have 15 lbs. of boost right now doesn't mean I use it all when I drive.

 

Well said.

I just think some people dont grasp the concept that your car can accelerate without the pedal being pushed all the way down.

 

it'll get you moving....slowly....but semi-drivable.

 

I completely disagree with those of you that say the Hahn stage 5 is a better deal than the TVS. The Hahn stage 5 kit alone will cost you about 4 grand and unless you are putting it on your self your going to pay even more on labor. Thats and easy 5 grand. Plus you dont want a canned tune putting out that much power so then add that and you have now spent way too much money. The TVS is on sale right now for $1750. Then all you need to run it is 60lb injectors, a heat exchanger and a dual pass endplate or even the Hatrickstu mod would work. Thats only an extra 5 to 6 hundred dollars. Then its all basically bolt on and a tune. so your looking at a total of $1000 to $1500 for extra supporting mods and a tune. That only totals $3250 and you are on the road where the Hahn kits got your ***** in a vice totaling nearly $5500. I'd say a difference of $2250 is pretty noticable. ANd I can definalt back all this up because I have gone throught this so many time and save a bunch of moneyby switching my car insurance to Geico....just kidding but it was way more cost effective to get the TVS. Plus I had extra money left to pay for my engine and trans mount, headlights, tailights, a short shifter, and an interceptor.

I will definatly agree that hahn has the better potential but we aren't even talking about the supporting suspension mods you will need to even see close to that much power. I'm even worried about keeping the wheel under me with the TVS at 20psi.

So it really depends on you goals. Huge power with a much bigger price tag and more worries. Or cheaper but still pretty damn powerful.

All in all its completely a preference. But I just thought I would add my opinion since I spent easily 5 months debating this while I saved up the cash.

 

I would have to go with the Hahn level V. I had the Hahn stage 2 for my Cavalier a few years back and loved it. Everything is included in the kit, so there is no messing around with supporting mods. You get it in the mail and put it on.... DONE.

Plus, its widely known that bigger power requires a snail.

 

You still have to pay for a TVS tune unless it's offered with a kit. Hahns comes with a tune that is conservative. Installation is irrelevant because I could, and I'm sure if someone can install the TVS they could install a turbo kit, especially one that doesn't require u to tap for oil lines. Still the Hahn kit is more expensive and will be even with extras added to the TVS but it's all about what you want and you are limiting yourself with the TVS.

 

Lets just say, for the people who do it themselves, your looking at around 4300. As im doing it myself... so we have to take some of that into account.

Agree on the tune, 150 bucks.

No need to go out and buy all these add ons with the hahn, as this comes with EVERYTHING you need.

Okay, still, TVS is cheaper... But as of right now, there is not too much more potential with the TVS other than what we have seen already (unless your using race gas). The turbo kit will allow you to go WAY beyond the s20g, and with an engine build, you can get some very nice power, well over 450.

It all depends on what he wants. im not saying that you have to go and build your engine, and that you have to go run 30psi... Im saying that the potential is now there, The option is now there.... Options the TVS dont have... You can also just run the turbo on the 15psi setting and still take care of the majority of tvs cars.

You dont have too much of an option for "more power" with the TVS... If your completely cool with your 325, and have NO desire to go higher, than stick with the TVS.. if you think that you might wanna hit 400's some time, or you just think a turbo is cooler... get the turbo..

 

My TVS build is already passed the $4000 mark, and I still don't have a clutch, dual pass, opt b, or rotated mounts. Figure in any things I may be forgetting, and thats easily over $5000.

Now, the Hahn kit costs $4k without any supporting mods. That means you still have to purchase a full exhaust, EGT, A/F, Gauges, etc, etc.

All-in-all neither is "cheap", but the TVS is more inexpensive. Hahn is capable of more power though, so I'd say its an even balance.

In the end it boils down to whether you want a whine or a whoosh.

 

You dont need a full exhaust.. just a "cat-back"

 

Much better power delivery with the TVS.

It all depends on your goals.

Smooth power delivery with drivability at a lower cost - TVS

Big numbers, serious track or dumbed down for street - Hahn

 

It comes with all that stuff... But i agree its a whine or whoosh question.. haha..

 

Still I suppose if we are only talking about straight drag racing, the Hahn kit will beat the TVS. But I want my car to have that mean acceceleration and instant boost coming out of a turn. Plus everyone continues to avoid the expenses involved with suspension mods you will need. 400 whp doesnt look very fast when your just spinning in circles. And I would love to see those axels snap for the first time.

WHatever its all relative. But I would prefer to remain unique. The TVS is a one of a kind mod. A turbo kit is just a turbo kit. The honda ricer nation will welcome you with open arms.

(I'm sure that last line will stur up some ****....)

 

Suspension mods are going to cost you the same amount, doesn't matter which you go with. I don't see how that comes into play here.