I have wanted a turbo for the ole hemi for quite some time now... I have seen some of the guys on the site have the whole STS set up and I am quite impressed with everything that I have read. The thing I am not impressed with is the price. I understand that the horsepower per dollar is better then most mods out there, but my jaw dropped when I got a phone call (there are no prices online for the hemi kit on their site) and the salesman told me something like $4500. And on top of that they were not sure the kit would work with the 2500 and would have to do some R&D. Finally, to my question... would I be able to build an equivalent setup (not a wallyworld hack job or ebay special) for less? I mean, its a turbo, an air filter (already have the K&N), tubing, an oiler for the turbo, some more tubing and an exhaust. It doesn't seem to warrent the high price tag, although I may be wrong. Also, I remember reading on the site a while ago that STS used to sell their kits for quite a bit less. Any ideas? Thanks ahead of time.

 

Don't forget engine cooling and an intercooler, running a turbo is going to produce a lot of extra heat, and you'll have to cool it. You might be able to find a custom shop that will do it for less, but when I was looking at putting a supercharger on my truck, the lowest price I could find was $4,150 for parts and labor, and that was from a shop I didn't feel real comfortable with. I ended up looking at quote of $4700 from a reputable shop and decided I needed to salt a bit more money away first.

 

I realize the need for the intercooler and what not... although not claimed as required by STS. I should have been more exact with my original post, that I was looking into the whole remote turbo aspect that the STS has, maybe a little differant since I would be doing the fabrication myself. Fabrication really doesn't scare me, just wanted to know what I was getting into.

With it being a remote turbo, I wouldn't have to worry about underhood temps. The intercooler would definatly be something I would do, even though STS claims that the temp drop from the remote turbo to the engine signifinatly drops the temp and increased hp (as seen on one of the video clips)

 

true i would also consider the newer programming you will need. doesn't teh STS kit come with a programmer to automaticaly make adjustments to the ECU to make the turbo run properly? doign it urself u'd probably have to go to a shop with a dyno and make multiple pulls over time to get the tuning just right.

but i agree with you the fabrication wouldn't be bad or difficult at all. if you are skilled with basic metal tools ur good to go

 

I think the site said they have contacts that would do the reflash of the comp and all that... so I am sure that costs extra. Also they said they don't have a specific tuner, but the piggyback with other systems.

 

I hope I am not coming accross as cheap... but what fun is it when it is a simple, premanufactured bolt on? The more I work on my project jeep or tinker with my own ideas on my truck, the more I like doing things on my own abilities and not the abilities of others.

 

i'm in agreement with you buddy.. the only thing I think that's a problem is getting then engine tuned. but if you take the time to fab up everything you shouldn't have a problem and if you get the tuning aspect taken care of then go for it man.

 

not at all. i bet half of us on the forum have wondered the same thing. a tune at a decent shop is going to end up costing you about $1k from what i hear. hammer would know better since he frequents krc.

RICER REFERENCE WARNING. a friend of mine actually bought a used turbo off of an old volvo, did some custom work and fit it to his beater integra, and it worked pretty good. he didn't tune it, and you could tell it would have a difference. said it wasn't too bad at all. just like you're saying, its just a bit of piping, and if you got the stuff to fabricate, go for it!

 

Its not that easy.

A turbo has to be properly sized for the engine with mods, or without mods.

If you want to go over around 3lbs of boost you will need more fuel/tuning and an intercooler.

STS sells a universal kit that comes without the piping or tuning. If you can do the piping and tuning that might be the way to go.

Its a good idea to have a vac/boost gauge and a wideband o2 gauge.

I am an STS dealer. My prices are much better than STS list prices.

 

kenihemi is the man when it comes to turbo's.