supercharger then switched to turbo??

[Big Brown]

How many of you guys put on a supercharger and then decided to go turbo?

I am leaning towards a SC but dont know if i will be wasting my money and wanting turbo later on down the road. I have done searches on which is better and found that the SC is more reliable and almost a plug and play but my main questions here is

1. for those of you that went and installed a SC did you wish you went turbo?

2. if you went turbo are you happier? or wished you just stayed SC?

thanks

[SOURCENSX]

I can soon answer this question for you.. I was Low boost CTSC and am now going the turbo route.

I was more than happy with the CTSC, I am only switching because my shop has never done a turbo NSX and i want to be confident in doing so.

I will post a thread with my opinions as soon as it is complete

[scorp965]

Originally Posted by Big Brown

How many of you guys put on a supercharger and then decided to go turbo?

I am leaning towards a SC but dont know if i will be wasting my money and wanting turbo later on down the road. I have done searches on which is better and found that the SC is more reliable and almost a plug and play but my main questions here is

1. for those of you that went and installed a SC did you wish you went turbo?

2. if you went turbo are you happier? or wished you just stayed SC?

thanks

I switched from supercharger to turbo two years ago; the turbocharger produces a much faster car, at the same boost pressure as the supercharger. Here is a graph of a NA nsx, low boost supercharged NSX, and low boost turbocharged NSX:



And a RWTQ comparison:



I would say both options involve about the same degree of modification to your car; with a CTSC, you must remove the intake manifold, replace the injectors, install piggy back fueling and timing computers, and for maximum benefit, you must also upgrade your headers and exhaust to higher flowing versions.

With a Turbocharger system, such as the HP performance I have been running, you replace your headers with turbo manifolds from the kit, replace your exhaust from the kit, replace your fuel injectors, and install a plug in ECU. It's actually slightly less intrusive to your car, as intake manifold removal is not required.

Cost is similar between both options as well; with the CTSC, you have a kit price of around $8000; add to this headers and exhaust, $800 + $800 + installation ($400), and supercharger installation ($1000); the turn key cost is $11k.

With the HP performance kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=170396562803

The kit is $8700, installation is $1200, tuning is $600 - you get replacement headers and exhaust included in the box. Total cost is $10500. If you already have headers, exhaust, intake, etc. on your car, you can remove these parts and sell them to reduce the cost of the turbo kit.

[v8killer]

I went through a BBSC nightmare that lasted 5 years an 3 blown engines. BBSC made 383rwhp @ 8lbs. but engines didn't last long(due to improper tuning). I went Lovefab 1 year ago and could not be happier. 10k miles at 528rwhp @ 15lbs.

[ZachP]

I'm new to this game but it is not an insignificant factor to consider that the CTSC is the only street legal FI mod for the NSX, yeah?

[DDozier]

Originally Posted by ZachP

I'm new to this game but it is not an insignificant factor to consider that the CTSC is the only street legal FI mod for the NSX, yeah?

and retains the factory cats.

I have a 91 CTSC and just bought a 04 that will be going turbo. I thought about moving all the stuff over to the 04 then selling the 91, but I have decided to go turbo. The main reason is because I know what the CTSC is and for me it has been great I would recommend that setup to anyone. I like to play with my toys and the turbo will be a new chapter in my NSX ownership. I am on my third chapter by the way and so far the CTSC has been a blast, the best so far. Maybe the turbo will be better.

Dave

[AR99NSX]

If you live in an area with no tuners then the CTSC is the best bet, if you got lots of experience tuner Turbo might be better.

[peiserg]

Originally Posted by ZachP

I'm new to this game but it is not an insignificant factor to consider that the CTSC is the only street legal FI mod for the NSX, yeah?

in california that's true.

Elsewhere, you just need to pass the sniffer, or if OBD2, just pass the OBD2 plug in without a code coming on. I've got the bbsc and passed without an issue in arizona. no retuning or anything required. just the obd2 plug in showing no CEL's.

[92NSX]

*anything* is lega in FL as we don't have emissions inspections any longer.

[Frank Spano]

[I] have never owned a supercharged nsx, but rode in a comptech, from Dave Davis, and Ryan with the white replica type-r back in the day. Dave is an unbelievable driver so the car felt fast. I went turbo and so far have no regrets at all. There are a couple turbo kits out there that are affordable. I went with the Angus turbo kit. His customer service is great, and he makes a very good product, and plus you don't have to ship your car to have it installed. Frank

[BATMANs]

Originally Posted by 92NSX

*anything* is lega in FL as we don't have emissions inspections any longer.

Ah yes, the penis of America.......

[92NSX]

Originally Posted by BATMANs

Ah yes, the penis of America.......

real intelligent comment.

[v5e_nsx]

I had been riding on a Vortec S/C for 4 years now without any issue... Tho I, at one point was in the progress *debating* if I should go turbo, then deceided to up the boost on my current S/C which is capable of pushing 600+HP on a built motor and get internal work done instead....

But if your car is currently all stock now, make sure you make the right CHOICE.... Unless you have the money to do everything over again.....

Think of it as:
-WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR F.I.
-WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH THE VEHICLE ONCE DONE
-TYPE OF USE (DAILY BEATER? DRAG KING? GARAGE QUEEN?)
-HOW OFTEN YOU USE THE VEHICLE
-ETC

and you'll get your answer... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHOICE....

****THINK SAFETY FIRST****

[Big Brown]

thanks for the responses ...

I usually drive my car on weekends and its a garage queen on weekdays. The main reason i wanted a CTSC was mainly for more power when needed.. Living in vegas we do have our local tuner here i.e. factor x and getting the factor x 500 would be ideal. but everytime i go there to check em out i see Bryans car (Vega$ NSX) always in the shop..lol makes me nervous if my car will be the same way. always wanting more speed... i just think 400hp is fast but having atleast 500hp would just top it off.

if i do decide to go turbo should i get a complete kit or buy parts separately as money comes in? cuz i definetly do not have 15k sitting a bank acct.

[Vega$ NSX]

Originally Posted by Big Brown

thanks for the responses ...

I usually drive my car on weekends and its a garage queen on weekdays. The main reason i wanted a CTSC was mainly for more power when needed.. Living in vegas we do have our local tuner here i.e. factor x and getting the factor x 500 would be ideal. but everytime i go there to check em out i see Bryans car (Vega$ NSX) always in the shop..lol makes me nervous if my car will be the same way. always wanting more speed... i just think 400hp is fast but having atleast 500hp would just top it off.

if i do decide to go turbo should i get a complete kit or buy parts separately as money comes in? cuz i definetly do not have 15k sitting a bank acct.

Haha, my car is in the shop only because I keep adding parts to it. It's been rock soild since the first day I put the turbo on - no issues. I'm telling you, speed is like a disease. I thought 400 whp was enough. I was wrong. Then I thought 450 whp was enough. I was wrong again. I thought 500 whp was enough. Nope. Now at 550 whp, I still want more. Hence back into the shop. I'm hoping for around 580-600 whp.

BTW, it's not really a Factor X turbo anymore. It's not Uehara Motorwerks turbo since it's basically Mori and Fes doing the turbo. But that's a good thing. You get all the benefits of Factor X R&D and race proven designs, with the reliability of a quality shop.

When I get my car back (probably by this weekend) you need to ride in it. Once you do, you'll have made up your mind for sure. I promise.

[VegasSpeed]

This is an interesting thread. I like it. Some people I know have had some issues with their turbo. Turbos are faster but more complicated usually. A ctsc is simple bolt on and go. Any custom turbo kit needs a good tuner in the area. I like both for different reasons. The supercharger is a great upgrade for an NSX that goes to the track 4 times a year and needs a nice linear response. If you want to drive it once a month and race people on the straights that get a turbo kit but don't expect to pass smog legally again. You won't have cats and you will likely have a louder, smellier and hotter turbo car. Getting more horsepower sometimes comes with a price. If you push the envelope you will lose out on some comfort in your car. However, that car will be fast as sh*t too.

Big Brown, what do you want to do with the car? Turbos like B's car are expensive and need extensive engine work to make sure your car doesn't blow up. If you don't have $25k sitting around than a supercharger may be a better solution. Getting power from the NSX isn't cheap so you have to pay to play. A CTSC will cost 9-10k so that is more affordable too. Turbos have more upper limits though. You can get more power out of them once they are installed. A supercharger is constant besides swapping pulleys out.

Honestly, if you want to light up the roads get a different car to push 600hp. Get a vette, EVO or old camaro. Corvettes can be had for cheap and get a fast car easily. The inside of the car is a bit sad but it is give and take. Just a thought since I know Joe the OP. He has a few cars so it should be considered.

[doc_tai]

if you want 400 whp, turbo will get you there cheaper, I spent less than 7 grand on my turbo kit with tuning( 380 at 5.5 psi)

[vsy05]

Originally Posted by doc_tai

if you want 400 whp, turbo will get you there cheaper, I spent less than 7 grand on my turbo kit with tuning( 380 at 5.5 psi)

What turbo kit did you end up getting? If I recall correctly, you bought angus DIY turbo kit right?

I'm thinking about going turbo, but I'm not sure what kit to buy.

Lovefab Stage 1 and 2 seems like a good value as well. I was considering either Lovefab or Angus's DIY kit.

Any thoughts on how these kits compare to one another. And how they compare to other kits, HP, Prospeed, Autowave, Factor X.

I talked to Mark Johnson from Dali Racing, and he is designing a turbo kit as well. I think he is shooting for under 5K.

[ryu]

Originally Posted by VegasSpeed

Honestly, if you want to light up the roads get a different car to push 600hp. Get a vette, EVO or old camaro. Corvettes can be had for cheap and get a fast car easily. The inside of the car is a bit sad but it is give and take. Just a thought since I know Joe the OP. He has a few cars so it should be considered.

Agreed... This is an option that isn't thought of enough.

[Oyagi]

3 years with my Gruppe M SC (not a very common blower too) and cannot be happier. It really depends on what you plan to do with the car. If you're into highway top end runs and flybys a turbo is the way to go. My main use for my car these days aside from occasional weekend street is the track. My 'home' track is very technical and does not have very long straightaways so the GMSC with its low end grunt is perfect for me. If I had to do it all again I'd still go SC. The car feels very oem, like it was meant for this kind of power. Its almost like having a small block V8 under the glass.

[The Kid]

I've had my CTSC for years and while I do love it, I often wish for more power. I will say it is very reliable. Ive driven 2500 miles in one week and while the car wasnt too comfy after awhile, it performed flawless. If I drove the car more often it'd probably go with the high boost set up. Overall, if your looking for serious power, go turbo and enjoy.

[nsx-ray]

I own both a Comptech supercharged NSX and a Lovefab turbo NSX. They are completely different cars.

The CTSC (low boost) has the same "feel" as the stock NSX, revs willingly to 8500RPM with smooth torque delivery and refined power. Overall power is up across the board and its fun to drive. This is what a Honda V-8 would have felt like.

The turbo (3.5L, AEM, 607hp, 550lb/ft) is a flame throwing raw power Viper/Corvette ZR-1 killer. The torque will put a dent in your headrest and light up the rear tires in the first 4 gears. You need to be careful with throttle application and drive this variant more carefully.

If you'd like to ride/drive them to compare, fly to Orlando and attend our Chin Motorsports track events at Sebring where typicaly both cars will be present.

Wei-Shen

[NetViper]

If I am ever down in Orlando I would love to check out your Turbo NSX as I remember riding in your CTSC NSX several times (once in orlando with my brother and once at NSXPO 2002)