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Factor X vs. Gerry Johnson's Turbos

Joined
1 October 2003
Messages
75
Location
pueblo colorado
I'm interested in adding some turbo FI to a stock 3.0 with OBD II (1995). I'd be interested in any advice or comments on these different setups.

Thanks,

Eric
 
Here's my advice: Learn all you can about NSX FI here in the forum, as well as general info about FI. Then go visit both shops/principles. Both are good choices, and your decision will largely come down to personal preferences, communication, etc. Honestly, I think they are both good choices and warrant exploring.

Here in the forum you can get all kinds of advice. It's sorting out advice that has substance to it that is difficult. I would advise anyone interested in a turbo for an NSX to learn the issues involved, become as educated as you can, and then make the decision based on communications with the various shops.

[Edit]: Too bad that the Bell kit is no longer available. I think that kit, along with the AEM, would be one heck of a FI solution for stock internals.
 
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The biggest problem with FI for the OBD II cars is the engine management system. The AEM wouldn't work unless you change over the throttle system. The specific tuners, Factor X and GJ, have adapted either the Motec or the Tec 3 but no final details yet.
 
jorligan said:
The specific tuners, Factor X and GJ, have adapted either the Motec or the Tec 3 but no final details yet.
"No" on the Motec side of the equation.
 
Saw the Tec 3 use but didn't see any details regarding dyno numbers but I suspect that they will be pretty good. So FX still hasn't gotten the Motec running, they mentioned possibility of M600 but were trying to do it for less since the M600 has built in throttle by wire according to the Motec web site. Will have to see the final status of my car but if it is repairable, then I will be looking at some system, including possibility of change to AEM with old throttle system.
 
jorligan said:
So FX still hasn't gotten the Motec running...
Let me clarify: The M600 does support throttle by wire, and FX could use that for OBDII cars, but finding someone who would want to pay the outrageous money that Motec wants for the ECU and custom harness would be next to impossible. They have another OBDII ECU solution, and last I heard they were looking for an OBDII car to install it on.
 
KGP said:


[Edit]: Too bad that the Bell kit is no longer available. I think that kit, along with the AEM, would be one heck of a FI solution for stock internals.

I thought the Bell Turbo Kit was a nightmare and product suport sucked? I read a horror story in the FAQ section about the Bell Turbo Kit.

Also I would recommend the GJTC because they have sucessfully installed on a ODBII car. I believe the 97' Factory X had the OBDI conversion done. I am not 100% though.

Also consider that GJTC are from norcal which is wayy closer than FL from CO
 
KulSecHskY said:
I thought the Bell Turbo Kit was a nightmare and product suport sucked?
The nightmares were caused by ECU issues. The Bell kit, if mated with the AEM, produces a hell of a FI solution for OBDI NSX's. It will blow away the SC cars of similar, or even a bit more boost.

Also I would recommend the GJTC because they have sucessfully installed on a ODBII car.
I guess if one install is considered sucessful, and somehow put that system miles ahead, then I could see your point. Fact is, anyone who would be considering a turbo, whether OBDI or II, should talk to all the vendors and make up your own mind.

I believe the 97' Factory X had the OBDI conversion done. I am not 100% though.
:confused:

Also consider that GJTC are from norcal which is wayy closer than FL from CO
:confused: :confused:
 
Ok maybe I am thinking of the wrong shop?

Is factory X the one with the yellow JGTC style NSX? They are also the premiere RSX turbo guys?

If thats not right then ignore everything I posted about FX =P


I agree that he should explore all the available options and see who he feels most comfortable with working on his car. However he is asking for opinions, word of mouth recommendations about FX and PA. From what I've read Gerry does excellent work and have read more than a few posts prasing his attention to detail. I'm a detail guy myself. I got my prelude back after an alarm system install then spent the next couple of days rewiring and soldering all the wires for a more factory install look even though I would never again see the wiring. haha

I have not read as much about FX and now I question whether I am even talking about the same shop so I don't knwo =P I just heard taht Gerry is great with his customers and pays a lot of attention to details.

About the OBDII thing. i would place a shop taht has done a FI OBDII install miles ahead of one taht has yet to do so. FX might have one in development but one thing I learned so far from modifying cars NEVER EVER believe the estimated time to completion or estimated final cost.
 
KulSecHskY said:
Ok maybe I am thinking of the wrong shop?

Is factory X the one with the yellow JGTC style NSX? They are also the premiere RSX turbo guys?

You are thinking of Cybernations.

They have pretty much vanished from the NSX scene.
 
KulSecHskY said:
Ok maybe I am thinking of the wrong shop?

Is factory X the one with the yellow JGTC style NSX? They are also the premiere RSX turbo guys?

From what I've read Gerry does excellent work and have read more than a few posts prasing his attention to detail.
Yes, wrong shop.

So, we can now conclude that anyone can come into this forum, read a whole bunch of posts, and then make a recommendation to someone else who has the ability to do the same thing. Sheesh, glad we got that figured out. :rolleyes:
 
Hahah let's make this a little more informationally "correct."

Cybernations is indeed the spa yellow turbocharged car. They are long overdue with their so called "due date" for their turbo kits. They are well known on the RSX scene, but like Netviper said, it's as if they have stopped everything with the NSX turbo. Understandable, considering it takes a very good tuner (a la Gerry Johnson) to make the OBD2 cars inherently functional. You can visit Cybernation's site for more info: Click here


Factor X has two options thus far: the FX400, and the FX500, the numbers accounting for rear wheel HP respectively. You can read the thread in the FI forum where they posted a dyno chart at 18 psi of boost. Both are great options. You can visit their website for more info: Click here

Gerry is closest to my home in Modesto CA, maybe 30 miles away. He has a general OBD1 kit, which is a low boost application (6-8psi). There is a dyno from way back in the day on NSXSC from a cached thread that I have posted below. He also has a "high boost application"--the limits of which have yet to be found out. This basically involves a built motor, and higher boost (of course much more is involved but that sums it up). He has just recently been successful on Black&tans' OBD2 NSX which IMO is quite the accomplishment--of course as KGP argues, it is important to see how that car reacts to the turbo over time. However, it is FACT that Gerry's personal car has withstood the test of time so if that means anything to you on the 3.0l standpoint, by all means use that in your deciding process. You can visit his website for more info: Click here

It's tough for me or imo anyone to say what turbo kit you should choose. Of course considerations such as proximity to the shop, reliability, power goals, and cost should be early indicators.

I hope my post has helped--below I have added the dyno from Gerry's car at 8 psi (sorry, didn't have time to resize) :

nsx_dyno.jpg


Best regards:
Ravi
 
STOCKTONSX said:
He [GJ] has just recently been successful on Black&tans' OBD2 NSX which IMO is quite the accomplishment--of course as KGP argues, it is important to see how that car reacts to the turbo over time.
Actually, that wasn't my point. The accomplishment is great, and I was not doubting Gerry's work or anything of the sort. I was simply pointing out that it is a recent accomplishment, which IMO should not somehow place it light years ahead of what FX might have. IOW, if you are a serious OBDII candidate, I think you might have more than one option (aside from OBDI conversion). What ends up being your choice is another issue.
 
I thought Gerry's car is a single turbo? They dyno says Twin.

Factor X is a single turbo.

ALso, the FX400 and 500 are RWHP numbers, but they do not mean that is all the kit is capable of.

The FX500 recently dyno'd at 648 RWHP.

I was told the FX400 will be pretty close to 420RWHP on stock internals. More than enough for me.
 
KGP sorry I must have inferred incorrectly. None-the-less, it's amazing what this car can do!:D
 
STOCKTONSX said:
KGP sorry I must have inferred incorrectly. None-the-less, it's amazing what this car can do!:D
NP, I knew it was a simple inference.

Yes, it is amazing. Words simply do not do justice to the huge difference between a SC'd car like a CTSC or BBSC, I don't care what boost it might be running. NetViper just felt 420 of turbo power (effectively a FX400), and I'm sure he place it in a different league than a 400hp bbsc. The power from that 420 is already beyond the limits of adhesion in the NSX.
 
len3.8 said:
Thiis is going to get reeeaal funny.;)
Na. What will be funny is you, I and sjs going on a run through the countryside with the P boys and Z06 boys. :D
 
Having ridden in both a Z06 and the Fx400. I would say you should not have any trouble pulling away from one of those. As for a Pcar.. It had better say GT2 on the back :)
 
LOL I've only ridden in one boosted NSX thus far--Turbo NSX's. That was back in the 8psi days. My gosh, even at 8psi my head was snapped back into the seat. I've rode in many high power cars: single turbo Supras, 300zx tt, etc, but for some reason the NSX had more "feeling in your pants" speed. P cars better back off =):D :D
 
Hell! We could beat the Z06(STOCK) boys with the SC's that we had on the cars... And before anyone says anything, My brother has one in the garage, I kicked his butt on a regular basis.

But yes I hear ya! I am really aiming at a friends over hyped 996Twin Turbo, major $$$'s spent on mods.
Go fast crack head....

On topic, I think if anyone has seen both Turbo's being discussed you would be amazed. If you were able to ride in them, then even more so. I would be comfortable with either of them working on my car.. At this point I would just like to drive my car.

I am just waiting for the shootout. I'm gonna have some Orvil's, a couple of frescas and a video camera. :)
And if my car happens to be running, it'll be just that much better.
 
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NetViper said:
As for a Pcar.. It had better say GT2 on the back :)
If it were limited to 420, I suppose. But then, I won't have that limitation. :D Also why there is something like this:

blitz_sbc_id3_2.jpg
 
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