The whole point of going the "stock appearing" route is decent performance at a fraction of the cost in comparison to t3 frame setups. At the point of doing a FF manifold, aftermarket radiator, ditching a/c etc.. it completely defeats the entire purpose of taking what was designed to be, a cost effective route for the performance. The only reason I could see anyone wanting to do this is to attempt some sort of a record with a particular "stock appearing" turbo. Since that is the case, is there really going to be a market for a part like this? Highly unlikely.

 

DDAAAYYUUUMMMM. pretty much said it all.

 

The problem with that statement is a large percentage of the people don't listen, so they buy a header for the SA turbo, an expensive 02 housing, some type of aftermarket radiator just because they are sold and end up with a lot in it anyway.

I don't feel there is a large enough market for a FF stock appearing kit, so we have no intention of building a kit to resell, the one I am building is for ME.

There's a TON of guys taking the a/c off, so the actual cost to do a FF kit if done from the start is no more than most people are spending anyway......because they just like to spend money.

My solution, well Curts solution we built for him, is the 3/4 width radiator.

 

I agree with the fact that many people take a completely unnecessary route of purchasing expensive exhaust manifolds, o2 housings, radiators, etc.. when they are not neededat that level to reap good performance from their setups. I don't agree that a lot of guys are yanking out the a/c in their street cars though. Atleast not down south here where its over 104deg in the long summer seasons we have

My car sure is a good example that an average Joe can put together a setup on a budget, keep a/c , and still have a non stripped out 3,000 lb Evo that can be in close range of fully built setups.

OT: Does this mean you've given up on your 8 second goal?

 

Lets say someone had a drag car with a FP Black. Would they benefit from a FF turbo? I know it's not likey that someone would use a FP Black as their drag race set up. I was just wondering. For more like a budget build and already had the FP Black and just wanted a better manifold set up.

 

A FF setup yes will aid you at a drag strip. Nobody is denying that fact. BUT IF YOUR EVO is a DD as well then again no point in this for stock frame get a t3. As already stated I just dont see the market for this to be produced. Hell if i saw tons of people that wanted a kit maybe me and jesse(which i know can be done) would make a kit with custom ac lines to keep ac. IN fact it has already been done on his end but the cost associated with such a change just does not warrant producing a kit. nobody wants to pay 2000-3000 just for a FF kit that includes everything but the turbo. Add the turbo to that cost and you can just get a T3 kit that can hold power and is BB.

Like I said there are some people out there like myself included that love to look different and have a different setup for sure but spending all that money and not really gaining a true benefit besides at the strip which i hardly visit anywho is a waste of funds. Very very very small percentage of folks would buy a kit if it was available

P.S Going FF is not a Budget build

 

Yes. You would see improved results from removing the a/c alone due to both weight reduction and less parasitic loss. If you remove this yourself it is a free performance mod and should not be included in the full results of a ff setup vs a standard placement setup. The only extra advantage a ff setup will have is cooler iat's and the ability to hold boost pressure higher in the rpm range.

Does the extra performance outweigh the cost? I dont think so compared to other options. It's a nice novelty though.

 

Main reason why I sold the FF setup that I have (and I have a RS with A/C and radio). If I lived up North where it stays moderately cool year round, then I might have done it. Dollar for dollar, its just hard to beat or improve upon a FP Black on a ported stock manifold without getting too costly.

 

^^And i bought your FF kit, and plan to run a half sizes condensor with a custom AC line and keeping AC

Rockman, the FF kit is no more expensive than a t3 setup.

 

Well it should be since you need the same parts that you would use for a T3 kit...but the stock appearing turbo is more expensive.

 

Would you mind posting pics/start a thread once you get the AC stuff done...I would be interested in seeing what it looked like and the cost...thanks...

 

x2

 

Sure, but i really dont see it being expensive/difficult. Instead of the full evo condensor, i will run a honda civic half sized condensor infront of the radiator. The most difficult part it seems for me, is finding a shop local who can do A/C lines.

Happy Holidays!!

 

Even after that, you still don't know if it is going to operate correctly and cool just as well as the factory A/c does. Our A/C system just wasn't designed to run on a condenser that small. Trust me, I thought a million times about this before deciding to go "back black". Maybe if someone gets it to work properly, I might go back later in the future.

 

when you buy all the parts you need for the FF then add the turbo to that price your at t3 territory thats what im saying your not going to get everything including turbo for less then 2k so again as ryu ets and me have stated you are killing the whole point of the stock frame turbos. pricing point big bang for your buck. Again at that point might as well send it to owens development to get it BB conversion as well