I tried to google a couple of the questions I was looking to ask, but came up with random answers that didn't really seem to get me anywhere. So I figured I'd make a general post and see if I can get all the answers concisely.

I'm about to begin another stage in building my car. Unfortunately I think this build is going to be replacing parts that are already aftermarket that I think the previous owner chose poorly. I am not poor, but do have a bit of a budget I'd like to stick to (I'm building my trann and TC at the same time). So not having expensive parts isn't going to hurt my feelings. As long as they work well then that's what I'm looking for.

The car has a 2.3L with a 35R (ETS) that runs on 93. I've been plagued by terrible lag;




And I'm trying to rectify it. Car has been boost leak tested, leak down ad compression tested and came out great in all tests. Here's the facts and questions:

1. The head currently has old style HKS 264/272 cams and that's it. The head is getting GSC Beehive springs with titanium retainers and GSC S2 cams. Not looking to set any records so not really interested in spending the money for porting and such. If I should get some new seats or anything else please throw it out there. Car is occasionally raced at track and other venues.

2. Car has Injen UICP and Injen intake. My guess is neither of these pieces are that special. It has a Forge recirc BOV that I would like to keep as I don't think it's giving me any problems and it's very quiet. There are so many choices out there and I don't have enough first hand knowledge with them. Not interested in going SD so let's leave that option out.

3. Hallman MBC- I've heard great thing about the Buschur unit. Are there known problems that occasionally happen with Hallmans?

4. ETS 3.5" FMIC. Nothing really wrong with it, but thought about getting the ETS 3.8" garret core FMIC.

5. Throttle body and IM- Thought about getting them ported. Think it would be worth spending the money on that as my budget is already getting large?? I saw someone selling an AMS VSR IM, is that a good piece?

6. Fuel Rail and Injectors- I have PTE 1000cc injectors and the stock fuel rail. I also have the Aeromotive 340, but that's it for fuel mods.


That's pretty much it for now. I'm gong to be searching for used parts to help fill my needs. I'm trying to keep my budget to less than $5k for everything including tuning. Thanks for any help.

Your choice to go with the GSC S2's in my eyes is a good one.

Get a short route UICP

Run a 3 port for boost control.

And port whatever parts you can...

And why keep the 35? With the way FP has made the stock frame turbo's amazing, why not sell it and get a black or something like that and lose some of the lag?

^^ agreed, and port the IM is what I hear from the pros. Everyone that bought them wishes they didnt. At least the people I talked to.

Are you currently running a Hallman MBC? Hallman just came out with a "stiffer" spring, I emailed them & they sent me one. I had their original "stiff" spring in my Pro RX, swapped this in a couple nights ago, so far so good...

what are the "35r" specs?

Yes, sorry I probably should have made the statement a little more clear. Hallman is what I'm currently running. I was just wondering if there was a better unit to be running.


It was apart of the ETS 35R tubular manifold kit. It's a standard 3582R. I know there are other good turbos on the market, but this was the setup that was recommended by my shop. I also only have like 800-1000 miles on this setup (if that) so if I sell it I know I'm going to be losing some money.

What parts are you talking about people wishing they didn't buy?

weird. i run a HTA3586 on a 2.0 and spool about 300rpm quicker then you. granted i know mine is a HTA wheel turbo but on a stroker motor you should still spool quicker especially with the smaller 35r. what size hotside a/r are you running?

your numbers also seem low, even for pump gas on that set-up. you sure you dont have a boost leak or something?

intake manifold will help along with bigger cams. keep the hallman boost controller, thats a good unit. going to a short route UICP is not gonna help anything either

IM= Intake manifold. I hear that you lose a lot of spool even though you may have some gains. Im no expert though, just the feedback from others that are very reliable.

I know, it is weird. It's frustrating to say the least because I'm not really a hardcore drag racer. So to have a laggy turbo like this is annoying. I've had several people tell me it's the tune, but I'm not ready to go down that avenue yet as I really like my tuner.

I'm trying to see if upgrading a few parts will fix it or at least get it to a more acceptable level.

I had a 50trim on this car before and that thing spooled awesome. I made 413whp/417wtq at one point with it. I know it's not the same size as a 35R, but it spooled that 50trim like damn near a stock turbo. Made more torque on that turbo as well (max 35R is 401, max 50trim is 417). It was definitely more fun to drive and honestly only a little bit slower than my current setup because the power band was so much better.

I know what the IM is but I was just confused about you saying to port it and then not to because people think it is a waste. It was a brain fart moment

what boost are you tuned on? i hate to say it but i think you need to look at a new tuner and make sure the car is at 100% (i.e no boost leaks, ect.) your car should easily make more torque sooner then my set-up

hmmm why the lag? hell, some might call that graph laggy on a 2.0L.

Your parts seem fine. You're on the right track with going for S2 cams..your current cams are prob holding you back power-wise, but also shouldn't be hurting your spool either (at least not making it as laggy as it appears).

MBC is fine...I leave boost control up to my tuner's preference.

ETS 3.5 can support your power level...may not be the optimal IC but it will do just fine

Since your concerned with lag, stay away from aftermarket IMs. Port the stock IM and TB for a decent increase in power.

I'm no expert, but I am a dyno section junky...so I can tell when a 2.3 35r graph looks laggy...as EvoJoeIX pointed out. Its not by much, maybe 500rpm, but that can feel like a world of difference on the street. What does your tuner think? What did he say about the lag while tuning? You also didnt mention what A/R your turbine housing is. What sort of troubleshooting have you done? Before you spend $ on new parts you should make sure your system is operating properly...

Like I said email Hallman, they will send you the new "stiffer" spring for free...

During the winter I was running around 32psi. Car felt pretty good and made like 487 on their MD dyno. In the beginning of Spring time I had it retuned and it made 457 or something like that at 28psi.

The car was boost leak checked by the shop. Said it held 35psi no problem.


Yeah, the car feels like crap on the street. It has no power down low and takes FOREVER to get going. Not having the ability to rev it up makes it a very unfun car to drive.

I didn't think my cams would be hurting my spool, but at this point it was worth a shot. I'm upgrading the springs, retainers and cams no matter what because my current head isn't really matched to this setup.

I figured the ETS 3.5 would be fine, but again I just figured I'd throw it out there to see what people thought.

500rpm would feel crazy different especially since I have such a short power band to work with right now. I don't think my tuner thinks anything. They gave me the car back and that was pretty much it. Didn't really say anything about it being bad or any problems. I tried texting the shop this morning about getting my car in there for another tune when I get the parts put on. I even said (which is true) that if I don't get this car figured out on why it's so laggy then I'm just going to sell the da*n thing. It's a great car, but too laggy for me to be interested since it's primarily a street car.

I can check the A/R in a bit. I just know it's the 3582R turbo. And as far as things being checked: the shop who put it together did a boost leak test (I wasn't there, but he said it held 35psi no problem), a local shop who I trust extremely did a compression test (160 across the board) and a leak down. He went over the car for a good 2 hours and couldn't see anything wrong.

I've posted this graph in the regional section where I live. Not sure if the guys who put my car together have seen it. If they have then they dismissed it and didn't say anything. I'm just kind of at my wits end with this car because I'm getting a good setup together and I don't want to find out it's a tune problem. I have no other tuners in the state of NC that I can (or want to) use and with my current schedule it's hard to plan a drive to another state that's going to cost me good money and time.