Kraftwerks Latest Kit Vs SOS Stage 2 - How does the driving experience differ?
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
I think from everything I have read it is clear the SOS kit is the winner. It is kinda like reading "Customer Reviews" on Amazon or something. I see the SOS kit with like 1,452 reviews at 4.5 stars, and the KW kit at like 245 reviews at like 3.5 starts. That is the impression an average joe gets when reading the forums. I went the other way. I got the HKS kit and will be installed next year. That is like the one with 2 reviews and 5 stars! For me I was limited by price. I just did not have the money for the perfect SOS kit. But the HKS kit at around 3,500 is a steel. I think if you are on the fence and unless you are a decent mechanic, go with the SOS kit. I don't think you will regret it.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Marin
It's not necessarily true that boost is boost because the S/C has to pull power from somwhere (the crankshaft). If you look at the rotrex c38 vs novi1220 it seems like on an s2k engine the rotrex is slightly more efficient overall. This would lead me to expect that the Kraftwerks kit could, in principle, produce a little more power at the *same* boost levels. But that's one variable to weigh in getting a kit. You would get the impression that Kraftwerks for instance has a poor customer service record if you spend enough time on this site. My $0.02.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
From: Marin
I made a series of posts some time ago with compression plots which explored exactly this question: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/113...g-1-novi-1220/
Although I never got a convincing answer about whether or not there was a mistake there...
Although I never got a convincing answer about whether or not there was a mistake there...
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 9
From: West Palm Beach
The KW kit is a good kit. It just needs to be installed correctly. There is no margin for incorrect install and/or tuning. SOS seems to be more forgiving in this area i.e.. rev limit and over spinning the blower, belt tension, torquing of bolts etc. Have some members on here had nightmare experiences with the kit? yes! Are there others who have not? also, yes... but what bothers me is that KW has not done anything to help ease the suspicion of a bad design. They have not corrected and elaborated the install instructions...they sell the kit with a cheap fuel pump...among other things. They are selling a shit load of kits, so i think this comes into play for them. Why take the time to help change things if the sales continue to sky rocket??? And because of this i think the community will always refer to the handful of nightmare stories that keep recycling over and over again on here....If i was looking to buy a KW kit again, id do the following:1) find someone who has installed the kit before without issue...2) change fuel pump to a walbro 255lph OR use the GRAMS pump but add SOS wiring... this is crucial.3) open up communication with KW and have them help with belt tension...4) lower rev limit on 06+ to 8200 rather than the usual 8400 rpm...I still put down 419whp at 8200 rpm which is a lot of fun. Make sure your car is in good working order as in maintenance done prior to boosting. Valve adjustment, compression test /Leakdown test, correct plugs and gapped correctly, check oil levels, etc... the basic stuff... you can't double the horsepower of the car and not expect issues if the car is not up to par. just my $0.02The KW kit is a steal at the price so i think this makes people lean towards it. I am also guilty of this decision. But i have been good to go so far... When the car is running hard no one is on here bragging about it... but when something bad happens everyone jumps all over the kit and blames the design. So just educate yourself on here with all the threads about boosting the car first... then go from there. Boost = problems regardless of power levels and which brand you go with...
How many miles have you been running the kit now with no issues and who installed it in Florida? I am in west palm beach and not too familiar with reputable shops that I trust around here with S2000s.
I also agree that most people only post when they’re having issues with something and need advice. For me, I never posted about how amazing my old V1 kit was, but of course when the issue happened, I looked into the forums for help and guidance. A member was able to direct me to a shop that rebuilds Rotrex blowers out of Texas and I was back on the road with boost a couple of weeks later.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 17
From: Miami
Originally Posted by Memo6453' timestamp='1457207696' post='23900024
The KW kit is a good kit. It just needs to be installed correctly. There is no margin for incorrect install and/or tuning. SOS seems to be more forgiving in this area i.e.. rev limit and over spinning the blower, belt tension, torquing of bolts etc. Have some members on here had nightmare experiences with the kit? yes! Are there others who have not? also, yes... but what bothers me is that KW has not done anything to help ease the suspicion of a bad design. They have not corrected and elaborated the install instructions...they sell the kit with a cheap fuel pump...among other things. They are selling a shit load of kits, so i think this comes into play for them. Why take the time to help change things if the sales continue to sky rocket??? And because of this i think the community will always refer to the handful of nightmare stories that keep recycling over and over again on here....If i was looking to buy a KW kit again, id do the following:1) find someone who has installed the kit before without issue...2) change fuel pump to a walbro 255lph OR use the GRAMS pump but add SOS wiring... this is crucial.3) open up communication with KW and have them help with belt tension...4) lower rev limit on 06+ to 8200 rather than the usual 8400 rpm...I still put down 419whp at 8200 rpm which is a lot of fun. Make sure your car is in good working order as in maintenance done prior to boosting. Valve adjustment, compression test /Leakdown test, correct plugs and gapped correctly, check oil levels, etc... the basic stuff... you can't double the horsepower of the car and not expect issues if the car is not up to par. just my $0.02The KW kit is a steal at the price so i think this makes people lean towards it. I am also guilty of this decision. But i have been good to go so far... When the car is running hard no one is on here bragging about it... but when something bad happens everyone jumps all over the kit and blames the design. So just educate yourself on here with all the threads about boosting the car first... then go from there. Boost = problems regardless of power levels and which brand you go with...
How many miles have you been running the kit now with no issues and who installed it in Florida? I am in west palm beach and not too familiar with reputable shops that I trust around here with S2000s.
I also agree that most people only post when they’re having issues with something and need advice. For me, I never posted about how amazing my old V1 kit was, but of course when the issue happened, I looked into the forums for help and guidance. A member was able to direct me to a shop that rebuilds Rotrex blowers out of Texas and I was back on the road with boost a couple of weeks later.
I have put 1800 miles on my kit. I do not get to drive the car as often as id like, but when i do drive it to work and hit the back roads, its such a blast!!! I just had a baby with my wife, and actually might be looking to sell the kit. I guess i was one of the lucky ones who hasn't encountered an issue after install so far (fingers crossed). albeit, 1800 miles only, and have not hit the track with it, its been a fun 1800 miles lemme tell you.
I had Andres from KAB Customs in Sunrise (FRS/BRZ & S2000 specialist) install my kit and Kenny @TurboGixxer tune it (Kenny has now moved to the West Coast
). IF you are interested in the kit let me know. If used is an option for you maybe we can work something out. I haven't had time to remove the kit and actually make a For Sale Thread but maybe by the end of Summer i can find some time. If theres more interest in it i can expedite the removal. I just need some extra cash due to baby and trying to avoid selling the S.
From what i see on the KW Facebook page for S2000's, Cj (Skunk2/KW) has joined and has been helping everyone out quite nicely. Also, they added much better instructions with pictures and arrows pointing to what goes where in good resolution and color on the page. Cj has always been there to help us out, which is a huge help.
The KW kit is your best bang for the buck for 400+ whp... just gotta hope you get a worry free kit lol which in some peoples eyes isn't worth the price reduction and go with SOS stg. 2... but 400whp is gonna be fun regardless of brand...
PM me if you have any other questions in regards to the KW kit.
-Mike
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 230
Likes: 6
From: Kansas City
I agree with Memo. The KW kit is relatively new and they seem to have sold a lot of them. There have been teething issues but KW is working them out and has provided fantastic customer support. I think that the issues with this kit have been blown out of proportion.
I have had the kit for about a year and a half and have about 6,000 miles and several track days on it. I have had two issues.
1) The VTEC bolts loosened, backed out a ways and then broke. I hadn't torqued them. The current instructions specify using blue locktite and specify the proper torque. I have seen no evidence of them loosening after I torqued them properly.
2) I broke a belt on the track. I called CJ at about noon from the track and a new belt was on my doorstep before 10am the next day. No charge. I drove the car home from the track (about 2 hours) without the belt. The car drove just fine at normal highway speeds and mini-van acceleration rates without the belt. I would expect that at wide open throttle the tune would be way too rich.
It is a blast to drive with this kit - both on the track and the street. I would choose the KW kit again.
I have had the kit for about a year and a half and have about 6,000 miles and several track days on it. I have had two issues.
1) The VTEC bolts loosened, backed out a ways and then broke. I hadn't torqued them. The current instructions specify using blue locktite and specify the proper torque. I have seen no evidence of them loosening after I torqued them properly.
2) I broke a belt on the track. I called CJ at about noon from the track and a new belt was on my doorstep before 10am the next day. No charge. I drove the car home from the track (about 2 hours) without the belt. The car drove just fine at normal highway speeds and mini-van acceleration rates without the belt. I would expect that at wide open throttle the tune would be way too rich.
It is a blast to drive with this kit - both on the track and the street. I would choose the KW kit again.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 996
Likes: 5
I have to say now that I have 25 k miles on this kit with numerous track days it is a lot of fun ... Like others say no matter what kit you have you will have issues when you track or drive the car to its limits. I think I have almost all of my issues worked out at this point .. It's all a matter of checking bolts and belts very often .. I check every session at the track .. Lost the top bracket bolt that goes into manifold first session at the Glen. ... Noticed and put another one in .. Saved my life .. Now my only issue I'm dealing with is belt tension .. I have been breaking belts and bearings .. Now all my bearings are good .. So eliminated that as my breaking belt issue .. Now I think when belts too loose it's breaking cause I came home Fromm the track and it was loose .. After putting a new belt in .. Cj said let it stretch and make it tighter and it should get to a point where it's at its stretch limit .. But... I been runnin this belt now for a few thousand miles .. And I made it correct tightness then went out driving to a meet maybe 100 miles away .. Got there and the belt was really tight .. To the point where I was scared to break the bolt on the blower pulley and loosened it there .. Now when I get home and it cools it's too loose again .. So let's see if I can get it to the right point .. Auto tensioner would be so much easier !!
Also now I keep a tool box with Every thing I need to fix this kit .. Including extra pulleys bolts belts spacers oil .. But I think this is the way to go with any kit ..
I would def buy this kit again over a Paxton blower ..
Might have gone Tts thought if I knew about it just for the non cogged pulley system and auto tensioner ..
And my car has 243 k miles and i put the kit on at 215 k.. Cars still strong https://youtu.be/R3inWWsCzB0
Also now I keep a tool box with Every thing I need to fix this kit .. Including extra pulleys bolts belts spacers oil .. But I think this is the way to go with any kit ..
I would def buy this kit again over a Paxton blower ..
Might have gone Tts thought if I knew about it just for the non cogged pulley system and auto tensioner ..
And my car has 243 k miles and i put the kit on at 215 k.. Cars still strong https://youtu.be/R3inWWsCzB0
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