TT Maintenance and Long term things NOOBS should know
 

So as the title implies, this thread is for those who are familiar with and have owned boosted cars long term to impart some knowledge onto us noobs who might be considering going that route. I have friends telling me that turbos are more complicated and when there are so many parts, there's higher chances that something, even it's small will break or come loose etc. TT is a huge investment so I listed a few questions I think novices might be curious about. Please add any other thoughts or things to consider/watch out for those considering TT.

What/how much maintenance is required for TT cars?

Do little things often get loose/break, etc. that noobs would have a hard time noticing and diagnosing which would result in shop time?

Can a good kit (like Fast intentions) just be installed and not worried about other than basic maintenance for years or worry-free driving?

Maintenance is a relative term along with cost associated, it could be as little as securing a single bolt you find lose to having a fuel issue or CEL pop up and taking a week or more to diagnosis.

As you add more moving parts to a system more is likely to break or cause problems. If someone can be aware and work ahead on doing continual inspections or check ups on the kit, engine, car, etc it helps in the long term to make life easier. Does not mean you won't be going down the freeway and have a major issue just pop up but during routine maintenance check every little part and I would say even more often than that (every week).

No kit can be worry free, the moment you put it on the car you will need to be more aware of what is going on with the car. Is it running a little rough, is the idle off, major throttle lag, fluid under the car, usual sounds. The list goes on and on, it is not a light project to just throw on a SC/TT/T kit and call it a day.

You can NEVER boost a car that came naturally aspirated from the factory and just expect to do only regular maintenance and call it a day. You always need to check out all the little things before they become big things.

So a SC kit with much fewer parts would have less chances of things going wrong and would also be easier for a novice to learn to inspect for issues?

:iagree: with Dreamer and Chuck. I check my car constantly to make sure everything is tidy. Something as simple as a broken zip tie could lead to something catastrophic if that zip tie holds the vacuum line on your waste gate. I'm extremely thankful that I personally installed my kit so I know all the ins and outs. It gives you a leg up when troubleshooting because you know everything you did.

You also need to be pretty mechanically inclined to know if the issue you are having is an annoyance or critical to get taken care of now.

In theory...

A novice shouldn't be modifying a car this dramatically. It's not novice territory. You need to know WHY things happen, not just what part goes where. Start doing your homework. Corky Bell wrote a book on turbocharging, and one on supercharging. Go read both of those.

Since you're asking about supercharger kits, I'm assuming you mean Stillen. They have more popped motors than anyone else. That's not "less chance of things going wrong".

I have not owned any turbocharged cars before this one, but turbo diesel trucks for about 25 years and as stated above, stick to a schedule on changing all fluids and filters and know your car. You don't have to be mechanically inclined, but you ought to know what makes your engine work like you were a mechanic. I read everything I can and spend time talking to people that know more than I do about cars. Just be vigilant and pray you have keeper engine. I know plenty of folks that have N/A Zs that have way more issues than those of us who are boosted. ;)

For anyone that is wanting to boost a VQ. Just make sure you have money saved for those just in case moments.

Anything can happen when you're under boost.

Few common practices.

Change your oil every 2500 to 3k miles.

Take a flash light while the car is rack, look for leaks.

Check hoes make sure they're tight.

Don't use your 500whp VQ as a DD, it's not made to drive everyday.(the ones that do know what to expect if something goes wrong)

Not only the engine takes a total, but clutch/rear end/shocks ect.. All need to be checked every time you put her in the air.

Check boost leaks annually, and also hire a professional if need be to make the final call on inspections.

Have to think of your boosted VQ as a Rolex. If you wear it where would you want to go, and what conditions it will be in. Obviously you're not going to put her in the sand or water. If so than boost isn't for you.

:rofl2: Sometimes autocorrect gets it so right.

Since you're asking about supercharger kits, I'm assuming you mean Stillen. They have more popped motors than anyone else. That's not "less chance of things going wrong".[/QUOTE]

From my research on the forums, it seems like those are all from modding the kit for more power. It seems that the kit is reliable in stock form (with a custom tune) so if one is happy with that (approx 410whp, 300wtrq) then it would be fine.

The real question is would I be happy with that. The question on the turbo front is can I justify the extra cost as well as learn enough quickly enough to feel comfortable with the risks involved with it.

HP is addictive. No matter how much you have, it'll start feeling slow in no time. With the Stillen kit you will be locked into the power level. With a turbo set up there are always upgrades for more power.

I notice you have a 7AT so unless you are also willing to pony up the additional funding to strengthen that tranny, turbo is out for you as it'll break.

Even at stock power levels that kit is playing with fire IMO. The maf being before the compressor and intercooler scares the absolute hell out of me. Especially considering you'll be running 91 octane.

lmfao

:icon18::leghump: