Looking for impressions of GTM or Stillen Supercharger kit 2-3 years in
 

I'm currently debating whether to go FI and have narrowed down potential choices to either the Stillen SC or GTM Stage 1.5 kit. I've read extensively about both kits, have talked to both Stillen and GTM directly about each and understand the pros and cons for the most part. The only other unknown for me is long term reliability - how will the stock motor or transmission hold up over the next 2-3 years of driving. Other considerations:

• What did you do come smog time (this is for the GTM owners, probably more applicable for Cali drivers like myself)?
• Overall reliability - have you had any issues with the engine, transmission, etc?
• Would you buy this kit again based on your experience?

What I'm looking for is insight from folks who have either kit installed on their car since the kit was released or after 1-2 years of driving. I've seen reviews on the site but they are a little dated and am looking for something more current. I'm sure that there are a lot of people on the fence like me and understanding long term reliability would give me confidence to pull the trigger on this mod.

I'm not normally one to drop the "search noob" on someone, but this topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum. The final verdict seems to be Stillen if you care about CARB, GTM if you want power.

I'm glad you didn't drop that noob BS on me because I'm not looking for reviews, if you read my post I'm looking to hear about overall reliability from folks that have had the kit installed over the last 2-3 years.. I haven't found a recent thread about SC reliability; I've only seen ones that are at least two years old.

For GTM 1.5 results, talk to baer383. He's had the kit on two 370s. The vast majority of stillen sc guys on this forum have switched to other providers.

That's pretty much it. And no one has gotten the 500hp from the stillen kit that's claimed. One guy came close...

it's 500 crank.

GTM sells a 500 crank kit and haven't seen those get past 450whp very often.
GTM's 1.5 is rated at 550, Those have reached 475-510whp
GTM Stage 2's are over 500whp
All numbers based on STD dynojet.

I would look at people journals. There are a lot of guys with journals that have FI'd cars. Mine should be done shortly, then I can start racking in the miles and smiles :)

Baer383 is a joke. I wouldn't trust him with a potato gun.:icon23:

Actually the stage 1.5 performs better than the stage 2 plus with the stage 1.5 you get better low and midrange torque.

Yeah that's why you keep calling me for advise.:stirthepot:

Chucks #2 post summed it all up. No need to spoon feed anyone.

Reliability is gonna to depend on how far you want to push each kit and how hard you are on the pedal. With a good custom tune each kit should be reliable, but as you increase boost and power other parts of your car will need to be re-inforced to take the power ( I.e. clutch, Csc, valvebody, trans, oil temps).

No one really knows how much harm these kits are doing since people that still have the kits are either still running them or have removed them and sold the car. I have not seen any people do post-force induction compression/leakdown tests of their engines. I have not see any recent threads about blown motors. Proper installation and TUNE are key to "reliability". Define it how you want.

I remember someone having some bent rods, maybe more damage after he decided to build his. He was pushing 550whp on his GTM TT kit for a while. I'd have to run a search and find it. Torque is what really kills things though.

Good points. I'm really thinking about things in laymans terms. Reliability to me means things "the car's running well and I don't have to take it into the shop every month" and "I don't have to constantly spend $1000s of dollars fixing stuff to get it back on the road".

That was a G37 pushing almost 600rwhp and it was a GTM TT kit.:tiphat:

I've come to know the word reliability is more synonymous with stillen supercharger than any other brand FI kit...