SF Turbo - Conversation With My friend...

[celica girl]

control one says:meh, i wouldn't recommend it
jackie says:can I bring my friend in on this convo?
control one says:sure
jackie says:she really wants the SF turbo for her vibe

Carrie has been added to the conversation.

jackie says:Carrie meet Grant
jackie says:Grant meet Carrie
control one says:lol, hey
jackie says:Grant has the SF Turbo on his celica
control one says:did
jackie says:oh
control one says:it blew up my car
jackie says:since when?!?!
control one says:ya...
control one says:last wkend
control one says:i'm swapping it for a 2ZZ now and selling the kit
control one says:everything about the kit has been a nightmare
jackie says:ugh... where did my friend go
jackie says:that's nuts
jackie says:so did you ever have it running properly?
control one says:yup, for 3 full days
control one says:3.5 months of having the kit, 3 days of use
control one says:lovely
control one says:it ran without the blackbox for 2 months though
jackie says:do you think the XS turbo would have been better?
control one says:XS is only for the gt-s
jackie says:oh damn Grant... that really sucks
jackie says:bad install or bad product?
control one says:read my post about SF's shitty customer service here
www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142700
control one says:product
jackie says:damn
jackie says:and how much was the kit?
control one says:can't really say as it was a sponsorship
control one says:retail is 3500+tx i think
control one says:USD
jackie says:damn
jackie says:plus shipping
jackie says:taxes
jackie says:install
control one says:yup
yup
yup
control one says:although SF paid for my shipping as per our deal
devalued it to 300 USD
and i installed it myself
jackie says:so would you recommend a custom set up then?
control one says:no
jackie says:no turbo at all?
control one says:custom will run into all the same trouble, even more so
jackie says:I'd like to stay n/a but my friend wants a turbo
control one says:it's just not worth the hassle, unless you have a 2nd car
jackie says:she got to ride in a vibe with a custom turbo in michigan
control one says:i wanted a turbo more than anything
control one says:maybe vibes are different, i don't know
jackie says:same engine
jackie says:1zz
control one says:but our celi's were not meant to be boosted
jackie says:it should be the same since the engines are the same right?
control one says:not necessarily
control one says:SF is HORRIBLE at sending stuff out
constantly late or never at all
tons of false promises
crappy packaging
jackie says:wow that really sucks
control one says:yup....definately not what i though
control one says:t
jackie says:have they sold lots of those kits?
control one says:a fair amount. probably about 150
control one says:15
control one says:oops, lol
jackie says:hahah
jackie says:well thanks for the warning...
jackie says:that's just scary
jackie says:what are you gonna do with the 2zz?
jackie says:go n/a?
control one says:yup. i just want my friggen car back. i've driven it once in the last 2 months and that's when it blew up

keep my exhaust, get a CAI and probably power fc and call it a day
control one says:
be happy with ~185-190 fwhp
control one says:
even if the turbo was working properly, it was just a matter of time before the tranny went
control one says:
i believe 2 or 3 ppl with the SF kit have already killed their tranny

i fried my clutch in 1 day
jackie says:

Carrie says:
um, hi
Carrie says:

jackie says:
you have lots of reading to do
jackie says:
hahah
jackie says:
and thinking to do
control one says:
haha, yup
Carrie says:
I see
Carrie says:
lol
control one says:
if you could see my poor motor now
control one says:
mechanic said there was absolutely nothing left of it

the rod went right through the bottom of the block and right through my oil pan
control one says:
it was like a gun went off

[DJDoubleLP]

Ouch!!!!!! Not good!!!

Makes me more thankful for the 2ZZ-GE that I have in my car. Gotta love lift.

[swirv]

I think I was telling Ivan and Kevin about my friend who races. He doesn't believe in forced induction of any sort, especially with Japanese engines (he races an Integra Type-R). He advises going with CAI, cams, headers, exhaust, etc. to free up reciprocating weight and freer exhaust. I think he dynoed at around 220-230 hp at the wheels and 9000 rpm.

[vibechick]

Yes, his story is the extreme of what can go wrong for sure. But I still want one ;D

Many people have turbos on their cars for years without trouble. Luck of the draw I guess

[celica girl]

Yes but it also depends who makes and installs the turbo... "you must choose... but choose wisely..."

[DJDoubleLP]

Yeah you have to be careful on the turbo install. Turbo's are good when they work properly.......but if they do not....we know what the consequences are. And to say the least it will be quite expensive to replace the engine.

[vibechick]

celica said:

Yes but it also depends who makes and installs the turbo... "you must choose... but choose wisely..."

Very true...I have until next spring to assemble my team ;D

[Celtic Curse]

Hmmm maybe I better re-think my plan and go for a complete engine swap put the Subu engine in hahaha.

[AKLGT]

wow! that's insane! but i know that faultline and devlop are both running turbo's in their 1zz. they baby it, but faultline has the SF turbo for the vibe and he's had it for well over a year.

[DJDoubleLP]

Like is was said earlier it all depends on who puts it in for you and how you maintain it. I have never put a turbo in a vehicle......so I for one would not attempt it that is for sure. But I would definetely be willing to learn how to with the help of someone who has done this before.

[devlop]

I installed mine with the help of Rick who designed the kit. Other than a couple of minor problems at first, I have had no issues and love the kit. Too much fun. ;D

[vibechick]

Well, that makes you the resident expert then! You can come help install mine ;D

[devlop]

Not a prob. I had a lot of fun installing mine. So hurry up and get it already.

[AKLGT]

wait a sec! he has a 2zz engine in his celica, right?

[vibechick]

devlop said:

Not a prob. I had a lot of fun installing mine. So hurry up and get it already.

Great! Glad to hear it! haha

I have to wait till spring. If I order it now, I won't get it till winter, and I don't think that's a good time to put a turbo on my car So I'll order it in a few months, and hopefully be able to put in on early spring.

I'm soo excited!! Well, you have an idea how excited I probably am lol