tamz273

So, time to go FI, and I'd like to do the install myself...

My first question is are both kits all ready to run? Or do I need to buy more items? (Guages etc)..

Next, I know the price on the Esmeril is almost double the Greddy, but is it worth the jump? The dyno's show 400+WHP, which is a LOT.. Is that what you get out of the box or after some tuning?

Whats the max WHP you can get out of a Greddy? With all stop components (other than the exhaust/midpipe)

bse50

https://www.rx8club.com/search.php contains all the answers you need.
You also have to add some cash and tweaks in order to get both the solutions you mentioned running right. I believe that the esmeril kit also needs an Ecu to run. So does the greddy if you don't want to use the emanage ultimate though.

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

hmm, ok..

no you're not. having the money to buy the initial components and the time to do it is NOT ready.

I was in that boat, hell i HAD almost everything i needed, turbo and all...

here are just a few things you need to consider having before you seriously go down this road:

1) trust in your own(or your mechanics) knowledge and abilities that you are willing to risk the cost and downtime of your motor popping the first week you drive it.

2) knowledge of not just how things go together, but how they actually work. and this includes all the interrelated accessories like gauges, boost control, BOV, etc etc etc....

3) the ability to replace a motor financially, or to cope with having the car out of commision while you save for replacing the motor.

4) tuning. who, when, how. one of, if not the most important thing.


going FI is not something you can just throw a wrench at and forget/enjoy it. you need to know how and why EVERYTHING works, or have someone very close by and trustworthy who does. you WILL be tweaking boost controllers, wastegates, blow off valves, other electronics, and especially tuning.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

that post should be a sticky. or a faq to read before one posts about buying a turbo!

beers

tamz273

Wow!

I think i just crossed out the possibility of going FI myself.. Maybe I should take it to a shop, or do much more reading before I order anything.. Any threads/stickies that discuss turbo's and their components in detail?

Thanks a lot for the post!

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

A turbo charged engine is a complete system. A turbo kit is a kit - it gets you started. Really, if you want to FI, you should do the system engineering yourself. Actually, you will probably have to do the system engineering yourself.

Start with:
1. What are your usage goals? Track usage? Reliability? Longevity?
2. What are your personal capabilities? Can you do the following: change spark plugs? An exhaust system? A fuel pump? An engine? Some of this is maintenance and an FI car is going to be more maintenaince intensive. Do you understand turbo compressor maps even if you won't be doing the sizing?
3. The kit will provide maybe 75% of your parts. The other 25% is up to you. Can you identify what else you want to do?

Honestly, my personal recommendation for anyone going FI who isn't able to do system level engineering is to flat out beg, borrow, and steal from others (it's a phrase). Find someone who has a pretty non-custom setup and has gotten good results. Then duplicate what they have done as a starting point. If it has been done once, it can be done a second time.

I would say the Greddy kit as a B+ setup, is a 260-270 whp kit. That's pretty good. With an A setup, you're in the 300 whp neighborhood. I don't consider the Greddy upgrade kits as Greddys - more like independent kits with Greddy pipes.

The Esmeril kit is probably a ~320-330 whp kit (B+ setup) that can top 400 whp in an A/A+ setup.

System components to consider:
1. Drivetrain - everything south of the flywheel. Anything here you want to change? What do you think your weak point is? Should you blow up the weak point, whats the plan?
2. Fuel system - what pump, injectors, and monitoring do you plan to use? Does stock work for your level of power?
3. Ignition system - what spark plugs will you run and with what coils? Will the stock components hold or are you passed that?
4. Turbo kit - what's your whp/mass flow goal? What turbo/turbo kit gets you there? What does it provide or require from 2 and 3? What kind of options are available? What components in the kit will you replace (if any)?
5. Management - what are you getting in the kit? What do you want to use? What does what you want to use require? Can you find someone to tune it?
6. Installation - who's installing it? How long will it take? What tools will it require?
7. Tuning - who will tune it? Do they know the EMS?
8. Accessories - what bells and whistles will you want? What means of monitoring the system do you want?

It's really a big project but it can be a lot of fun.