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

tsui_san · 06-21-2013, 05:49 PM

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.

Chuck33079 · 06-21-2013, 06:44 PM

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.

tsui_san · 06-21-2013, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

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.

Chuck33079 · 06-21-2013, 07:29 PM

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.

diddy535 · 06-21-2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

The final verdict seems to be Stillen if you care about CARB, GTM if you want power.

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

SS_Firehawk · 06-21-2013, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddy535

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

SPOHN · 06-21-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

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.

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

Baer383 · 06-21-2013, 08:56 PM

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

Baer383 · 06-21-2013, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN

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

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

elperuano · 06-21-2013, 10:24 PM

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

future370zzz · 06-22-2013, 10:00 AM

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.

SS_Firehawk · 06-22-2013, 10:57 AM

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.

tsui_san · 06-22-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

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.

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".

Baer383 · 06-22-2013, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

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.

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

Tribalpinoy91 · 06-22-2013, 11:18 AM

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

06-21-2013, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
tsui_san Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bay Area Posts: 20 Drives: 07 G35S Sedan Rep Power: 15	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. DarkJak likes this.

06-21-2013, 06:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	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. UNKNOWN_370, 370Zsteve, SPOHN and 2 others like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

06-21-2013, 07:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29538	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. tsui_san likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

06-21-2013, 08:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Baer383 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lawrenceville,Ga Posts: 4,293 Drives: My foot up your azz Rep Power: 29	Actually the stage 1.5 performs better than the stage 2 plus with the stage 1.5 you get better low and midrange torque. __________________ 2013 ZL1 754 rwhp 747 rwtq

06-22-2013, 10:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
future370zzz Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bay Area Posts: 555 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 14	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. Trips and 370Zsteve like this. __________________

06-21-2013, 10:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
elperuano A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southwest FL Posts: 1,374 Drives: G37S Rep Power: 28	Chucks #2 post summed it all up. No need to spoon feed anyone.

06-22-2013, 10:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7334	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. __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

06-22-2013, 11:18 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tribalpinoy91 Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 607 Drives: 370z PW Rep Power: 13	I've come to know the word reliability is more synonymous with stillen supercharger than any other brand FI kit...

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