Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Well guys, just drop by to show some photo of my car. To keep things short, here is what had been done to it:

1. Esmeril Apex Seals
2. Clutch Master Stage 3
3. Snow Performance Stage 2 Meth
4. HKS Hi Power Exhaust with Mazsport midpipe
5. Painted brake caliper blue to match the lip of the rim
6. Mod engine tray to add lip spoiler to scoop in cold air into radiator













Big thanks to Chris of Esmeril who help rebuild the engine and install the new Esmeril Apex Seals along with Clutch Master Stage 3 Clutch. Tuning is still need to be done but the car runs flawlessly. It accelerates hard at 5-6 psi. It will be a ball at 13 psi! Video will come soon!

elysium19

iTrader: (1)

let us know how tuning goes, and how it performs after!!! We want videos and stats!

rx 8speciale

iTrader: (3)

awesome set up , i want a esmeril kit !

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

It is winter here in MN and I will have Chris put on "Winter" tune. With this conservative tune I believe there are more horses left on the table. But with the way it drives right now even with base map and never go above 5-6 psi, it goes like stink. Can't imagine how hard it pulls at full boost. Turbo is very loud and it freaks out other motorists. Lots of torque and passing was a breeze.

You will have to wait for the video and stat....I don't know if I want to put my car on dyno...

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

The kits come with Quality parts. Other people may have question about the turbo but it spins real smooth, shaft has zero play and it spools very quickly. I have the kit on for around 2500 miles now and it has been zero problem. I have new rebuild engine right now and it has 1000 miles on it as of today. Engine runs smooth and pull 20 HG at idle with Esmeril Apex Seals.

gh8st

iTrader: (10)

can't say i'm not impressed.......... haha i would like to see some numbers too! ill setup bro

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

Hmm - how's the airflow to that filter? Is the bumper open enough to get you a clean flow? My intake runs through a hole in the front wall in that area so it might be a pretty decent spot.

Fine looking automobile!

gregs

iTrader: (7)

nice setup! what power are you expecting?

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Thanks bro! I like your hood. I might get one next summer. How you like that hood? How well does it fit? Does it flap around at hight speed? It helps a lot with cooling the engine bay?

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

So far I don't have problem with Heatsoak. I routed air from outside into area under the turbo so it get clean air. I can't do the set up that you have. The intercooler/pipings takes that space already.

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Greg. I am not going to tune this thing to the edge or try to max out the kit. I want reliable horsepower and reliable driver. That meth injection along with new apex seals will help give some safety margin during tuning. What hp do I expect from this set up? Car is running at 12-13 psi open wastegate with 2 1000CC injectors. According to Chris it should easily do 330-340 whp. There some people that dyno the car with the base map and it turns out to be around 270-280 whp.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Nice Ride. Can I see how you modded the undertray?

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Basically I cut 4 4X6" or so rectangle right below where the radiator is.

I also cut the undertray right below the intercooler into sort of like half rectangular shape and bend the lip down below the tray and that scoop air in from under the car which go directly to the frontal area of the radiator. I will take some photo when I jack the car up to change oil.

As you can see, the intercooler pass hot air to the radiator which is not good for cooling. The intercooler that I have doesn't block the whole air path from the front bumper. It blocks around 80% of the opening area. Other intercooler I see block the whole opening. This mod help push cooler air into the frontal area of the radiator and also the large vented cut area help remove heat off the engine bay.

And I have mazmart water pump and cooler thermostat which help with cooling as well. I still have stock radiator....but it has enough cooling capacity for area that I live. It doesn't get too hot in MN in summer. If it is too hot like aboe 90F, I just don't drive the car.

Racing beat mention this in their catalog that a lip spoiler help scoop air into the radiator which help with cooling. I don't have a lip spoiler but my mod is the same as the lip spoiler but it done quick and dirty way. It works and I don't have to pay anything for it.

gregs

iTrader: (7)

those are some good reasonable numbers..good luck and keep us updated with results!

halimsteven

if you wanna get the hood, get the VIS because they come with the undertray for the openning of the hood. if you buy seibon, i don't think they come with the under tray under the hood, or may be i am mistaken...

i figure that you...because both piping for the intakake and intercooler take up the big hole

one thing, you have a good set up for the turbo set up, you just need the battery relocation from summit racing, it's big, but it's safe and affordable and put them in the trunk
steven

gh8st

iTrader: (10)

thanks man. the hood fit alright.. it took some work, but nothing major, and now it sits perfectly flush. It doesn't flap around, but if you're scared it might, just get some hood latches. You can an excuse since you're turbo'd and it does help slightly with the cooling, but don't expect too much from it.. hahaa

oh bangkok, the seibon comes with the undertrays. Plus, i don't know if VIS makes matte cf TSI.. i don't have the gloss finish

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Thanks man pics would be great!

Mspeedpro

iTrader: (1)

Such a clean looking install...

Did esmeril install the turbo kit originally?
Any other modifications done to the engine other than new apex seals?
Did you drive or trailer the car down to Florida?

Very nice setup, congrats.

ChrisRX8PR

iTrader: (1)

Just got done tuning this one...even at 8psi it feels amazing.

Very smooth, great idle with and without A/C on, great pull all the way up to redline and on a very safe tune (10.8-11.5 AFR) with a snow performance water/alcohol injection kit...its about as reliable as it can get.

He seemed very happy when he left my house today...but let the owner comment on how the car feels .

Best regards,

Chris

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

First I have to thanks Chris for his great customer support. I cannot ask for more from a friend. Chris help rebuilt the engine and installed Esmeril Apex seals. This Apex seal is no joke. We forgot to check the fuel cut off line (was set at 8000 rpm) and we heard loud misfire (2-3 bang bang bang). I thought that was it but the engine still run like there is nothing happen to it. It still pull 20 HG vacuum afterward. Amazing. We quickly set the fuel cutoff to 9250 rpm. If this were to happen to stock apex seal, I would only expect the worse.

My dream has come truth today after we finished tuning car. The car was very fast. Chris did a great job of tuning the car. It runs smooth all the way through out the rev range. Even though it is running at 8 psi, it pulls hard and for now I just have to adjust my driving to the new power. Passing is not a problem any longer. Hit the gas pedal and you there. Boost comes on as early as 3000 rpm. The car screams when the wastegate is open. I just could not stop smiling when I was driving it back home.

Over all I am more than happy with the kit and with Chris service. I could not have done all this without his help. There is nothing better than the sound of the turbo spooling and you get push back into the seat. I love very second of it!

Brettus

iTrader: (2)

/\ sounds awesome .
BTW with flash tuning there is no issue hitting the rev cut as it just closes the throttle ...

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Well, I took my GF out for a ride last night and it was a blast. There is nothing better than hearing the sound of the GF screaming louder than the sound of the wastegate! Car runs great and the mileage is very similar to stock. The AFR rocks steady when I get into boost. Idle is smooth. My next proj would be trying to find a way to lighten up the car. Will see what I can come up with.

shazy

Nice. Dyno your car soon to see what you are pulling

Luckycat

iTrader: (1)

Well, I don't know when I will put it on dyno. It is running only on 8 psi right now plus it is running on very conservative tune. The car is still quick as hell. And about the video, I will see if my dad can help me with it. It is winter here too in MN so pretty soon snow will be on the ground and I will have to put the car away for the winter.