Daily Driving / Only car + boost
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,289
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Daily Driving / Only car + boost
So I've finally come to the point where stock power isn't fun anymore and I want to give boost a go (for the first time on any car).
I've basically scared myself into thinking that turbo is going to be too high risk and that I should stay away from it, as this is a daily driver and only car, so it needs to be up and running 99% of the time. Recently I've decided that a comptech/vortech or maybe an SOS supercharger would be best for me, as I would be perfectly happy with 300-350whp & my 4.77s. But I KNOW that in a year or so I will want to ditch the 4.77s & supercharger and turbo up to my main power goal of ~400-450whp.
So my big question is, if done right, can one daily a 400whp turbo s2k without any problems? I drive my car ~20k miles a year (mostly freeway) so having a designated dust collector is a big problem for me. I'm okay with higher maintenance like more frequent spark plug / oil changes, but I can't be rebuilding turbos and rewelding cracked manifolds every couple months. How much would this mythical problem free set up cost initially?
I want to go turbo and do it right the first time, but the conservative side in me is screaming at me telling me that a supercharger will be "enough" and is much less of a headache in the long run. I dont like headaches.
Convince me I'm wrong?
I've basically scared myself into thinking that turbo is going to be too high risk and that I should stay away from it, as this is a daily driver and only car, so it needs to be up and running 99% of the time. Recently I've decided that a comptech/vortech or maybe an SOS supercharger would be best for me, as I would be perfectly happy with 300-350whp & my 4.77s. But I KNOW that in a year or so I will want to ditch the 4.77s & supercharger and turbo up to my main power goal of ~400-450whp.
So my big question is, if done right, can one daily a 400whp turbo s2k without any problems? I drive my car ~20k miles a year (mostly freeway) so having a designated dust collector is a big problem for me. I'm okay with higher maintenance like more frequent spark plug / oil changes, but I can't be rebuilding turbos and rewelding cracked manifolds every couple months. How much would this mythical problem free set up cost initially?
I want to go turbo and do it right the first time, but the conservative side in me is screaming at me telling me that a supercharger will be "enough" and is much less of a headache in the long run. I dont like headaches.
Convince me I'm wrong?
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Joined: Sep 2010
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I would go turbo if i were u. You will want more power in the future. F20/22 motor is really strong and reliable assuming you have the right person tuning your car. there are lots of quality turbo kits made for your car. Since you'll be driving as much as 20k miles a year i would get a kit with a log manifold because of heat issues. I believe AFI, Kings motorsports, Full blown motorsports, and others makes a kit with a log manifold that's very reliable. Just make sure you get a strong clutch, good fuel system and computer.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
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Can you elaborate on why you would choose a log manifold over something like a tubular bottom mount or even a sidewinder?
As trivial as it sounds I'm really not much of a fan of logs from what I've read mostly because you have to raise vtec to ~7k for a linear powerband. Is that true for all set ups? A big reason why I didn't consider a Greddy kit was because of the log manifold and everyone who has it seems to be replacing their manifolds anyways because they always crack
As trivial as it sounds I'm really not much of a fan of logs from what I've read mostly because you have to raise vtec to ~7k for a linear powerband. Is that true for all set ups? A big reason why I didn't consider a Greddy kit was because of the log manifold and everyone who has it seems to be replacing their manifolds anyways because they always crack
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Joined: Jun 2011
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Turbo compliments the f20/22 much better than a SC.
Pfab, FullBlown, Full Race and Track Forged all make top notch tubular manifolds.
ELTM will also allow you to run less boost and make more power putting less stress on the engine and turbo. 10psi should stick you right around 400whp with a medium sized turbo like a gt3076 spooling around 3700 rpm.
I boosted this summer and am dailying the car no problem so far. Car drives like stock if you're out of boost, passing people on the freeway is nice where you only have to roll onto the throttle in 6th gear to go around someone instead of having to drop 2 gears.
Pfab, FullBlown, Full Race and Track Forged all make top notch tubular manifolds.
ELTM will also allow you to run less boost and make more power putting less stress on the engine and turbo. 10psi should stick you right around 400whp with a medium sized turbo like a gt3076 spooling around 3700 rpm.
I boosted this summer and am dailying the car no problem so far. Car drives like stock if you're out of boost, passing people on the freeway is nice where you only have to roll onto the throttle in 6th gear to go around someone instead of having to drop 2 gears.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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I'm running an Ultimate Racing turbo kit, its at 398whp. I daily drive it, around 1400 miles per month. I hit redline in multiple gears several times a day.
Important factors are getting quality parts and having a competent tuner.
Log manifold's are less prone to cracking but don't provide the same powerband and power potential as an ELT. Many may disagree but I think for daily driven and the amount of power that you are looking for a log manifold would be the best choice. They are also a lot less costly than an ELT. I've kept my vtec at the stock RPM.
It's a little harder to suck out as much power from a SC build and its quite debatable that it is "more reliable."
If you keep up with your maintenance you will be fine. If anything, if you have an AP1 upgrading your retainers would probably be a good idea.
Also, spend the extra money for a stand alone ECU, you will not regret it. The Greddy E-Manage does not cut it.
Important factors are getting quality parts and having a competent tuner.
Log manifold's are less prone to cracking but don't provide the same powerband and power potential as an ELT. Many may disagree but I think for daily driven and the amount of power that you are looking for a log manifold would be the best choice. They are also a lot less costly than an ELT. I've kept my vtec at the stock RPM.
It's a little harder to suck out as much power from a SC build and its quite debatable that it is "more reliable."
If you keep up with your maintenance you will be fine. If anything, if you have an AP1 upgrading your retainers would probably be a good idea.
Also, spend the extra money for a stand alone ECU, you will not regret it. The Greddy E-Manage does not cut it.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 621
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From: Tolland, Connecticut
i dont daily my s2000 but i do drive the piss out of it on a regular basis. I would say in the 2 months it has been turbo i have done an easy 5,000 miles over summer with zero issues. car is a 2001 stock everything AP1. P-Tuning 3076r kit i picked up from the first owner, ID1000, walbro 255, aem ems v2... i have been street tuned by a friend so the car is not fully tuned yet but it is currently on 93 octane pump gas, 12/13 psi, stock catback!, and est around 375-385hp.
like anything else... take your time and dont be cheap and you can drive it all you want.
like anything else... take your time and dont be cheap and you can drive it all you want.
