Turbo suggestions?

[stinkysGTI]

I've finally made a decision and was thinking of getting a turbo kit from Kinetic Motorsports, and going right to the Stage3. I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much WHP the rods in a 2001 12v VR6 can handle. I tried Googling it, but only came up with one source and it wasn't my car exactly, so I'd like to get more opinions.

A buddy of mine and I are going to be installing it, so any other suggestions/warnings/recommendations would be great too :)

Here's the kit:
Kinetic Motorsport: Kinetic Motorsport Stage 3 MKIV 12V VR6 Turbo Kit (http://www.kineticmotorsport.com/products/Kinetic_Motorsport_Stage_3_MKIV_12V_VR6_Turbo_Kit-664-97.html)

[Mr_Diesel]

There's really nothing you need to know other than to use common sense. DON'T force anything or try to make something fit where it won't fit and you'll be fine. Those kits come with rough guidelines. The VR6 engine was originally conceived to be a diesel engine. It's probably one of the strongest built gasoline engines in existence right now. I have heard of guys going 300whp on stock rods. You'll more than likely pop your head gasket before the rods become an issue. I have also heard of guys going 400whp on a stock engine, but your reliability would probably go down the pot there.

[stinkysGTI]

Thanks for the info Mr Diesel. That kit comes with a head spacer gasket kit, would that help? I assume they'd make something stronger since they're sending it along with the kit. I'll just have to wait on the rods till I know exactly what kind of power I'll be producing.

I spoke with a guy at Kinetic and he said based of a stock setup, it'd push it up to 250whp, but I'm doing a stage3, plus I have mods already and plan on getting a bigger turbine after a few months of installing the kit. So ultimately, I'll have to change em out.

[Mr_Diesel]

The spacer will help lower the compression so you can run more boost... Although I don't really see a use for lowering compression if you are just going to cram more air in there. It used to be high compression and low boost, but now people seem to be going towards low compression, high boost... which can make for pretty ****ty bottom end power... But... whatever tickles their pickle, right? I"m not an expert in the physics of that, so I'll try to stay out of it from now on...

anyways, 250hp really is no stretch for the VR6. 300hp is where I would start drawing the line. There are people with 2.0L 16V's making 300hp on relatively minor mods... I can't see 300hp on a 2.8L cast iron behemoth being an issue. I'll bet kinetic just says that to protect themselves.

Being realistic, the rods are probably one of the least of your worries at that hp... you'd be wise to do some transmission work before you do the rods.

[stinkysGTI]

I'm not too familiar with transmission stuff. What kind of things were you referring to?

I was planning on installing motor/trans mounts before the turbo, and flywheel/clutch kit after the turbo. Should I be thinking of getting stronger gears or something?

[saf26]

Hey I would really recommend an LSD, and def redo the mounts and stuff. I've heard of people with high HP VR's losing 3rd gear because of wheel hop and I'm sure you would want to steer clear of that. Also some people put in a the TDI 5th gear because its longer and will allow for lower cruising RPM's aswell as increased top speed.

[Mr_Diesel]

Yeah... at 300hp you'd want an LSD ($800-$1200 installed). When you start going above 300hp you'll want to think about and start budgeting for cryo'ed gears.

[stinkysGTI]

so my $4000 upgrade is turning into about $6000 :\ oh well though, I don't have much else to spend my money on anyway.

back to the turbo itself, would anyone recommend buying a kit or piecing it together? a buddy of mine pieced his together but he all these smog issues and there seems to always be something wrong with it

[Mr_Diesel]

Get a kit man... Don't waste your time digging and searching for parts... the kit will have all the lines, gaskets and everything you need.

[zukgod1]

Get a kit man... Don't waste your time digging and searching for parts... the kit will have all the lines, gaskets and everything you need.



Second the notion!!

[stinkysGTI]

cool, thanks guys. That's what I was thinking too, but I had a few people say they pieced it and came out successful. I'd rather know for sure that all the parts were compatible and didn't have various wear on em.

It'll be a few weeks till I order it and when I do, I'll be sure to take pictures, thanks again :)