Which one would you go with? I've done an HRC install already so I say HRC since it is proven and has all the parts to do it. Someone that wants me to do an istall is thinking about going cuctom and I am going to charge almost double to do this. I really want some opinions on this. Strauss and I told him go to HRC. The car is 100% stock right now and he is looking at Stage II kit. I will do a compression check etc. before hand to make sure it is up to it. Please give positives and negatives for both or any other suggestions such as STAR kit even. Any info is welcome!! What do you think?? TIA!:)

well i would go with HRC just becuase it comes with a good turbo to begin with (not saying star doesn't). What i have seen is that when people go with a custom kit they usually cheap out on the turbo and get something small. In my opinion if you could get a GOOD turbo and a manifold for cheap then do a custom turbo. The only other hard part would be the piping

well ask him THE QUESTION
drag? = Star
fun = HRC

I also agree with optimuspetersen on this.

I think you should really take a good look at the things we have seen before you have been here long enough to know that this topic has been covered extensively

my cousin got a used hrc kit, and we spend freaking almost 1 week looking for stupid crap. if all was included we could have had it down in a few days with break.. lets just say one day we spend 5hrs going around looking for parts, and we only got to work on the car for a couple hrs.. i would say, go with the hrc kit no custom crap here..nothing wrong with it, but i would not help him out with a custom kit... just my say..hehe



Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
Stage 3 process begins gathering parts for rebuild

http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

Buy an HRC kit, and ask them politely to leave their FPR out of it :)




Jon

1997 Eclipse RS

14.21@101mph 10/4/02

MODS: 8.8:1 JE Pistons / Eagle rods / Stage 1 Hahn turbocharger / Melling Oil Pump / Autometer 5" tach / 4 JL 12" W0 subwoofers / Clarion 230w amp / short shifter mod / GReddy EVO exhaust / custom 2 1/2" downpipe / no cat con / CM Stage 1 / 30lb Mustang injectors / TurboXS MBC / 1G SMIC / Eibach Sportline springs / KYB GR-2 struts / GReddy 52mm EGT / A'PEXi Super AFC

HRC Stage 2
- HRC FCD
+ missing link
- HRC FPR
+ sfmu
+ 30lb ford injecors
+ walbro 255lp HP intank fuel pump
+ EGT Gauge
+ 2.5" exhaust

There's lots of optionals, but these are mandatory. If you can't afford it all at once, save up until you can. Cause otherwise, you'll have to dump the money into a rebuild a lot sooner.

I honestly don't think it matters anymore. The HRC FPR sucks as it is, right? So you would most likely upgrade it anyway... So get a Star kit, pay less, then upgrade the fuel system by yourself.

Though HRC does have a REALLY nice FMIC :thumbsup

>Though HRC does have a REALLY nice FMIC :thumbsup

Star's ain't too shabby for now.

bottom line is that boost is like crack. If he gets the hrc and goes with the 5-9 psi believe me he will want more. Thats when this kit becomes a waste of money. First the bigger intercooler (piping) then the bigger turbo then the controllers. basically the only thing you are left with is the manifold.With the bought kits you are limited and when you want to go bigger, faster and quicker spool up? Yeah now your stuck in the hahn/star world. And to top all of that the manifolds have problems and they dont line up all they great. I'm sure there are alot of people with housing bolts broke. Or you just have to work really hard to get the manifold bolts in. This is not a bash against hahn or star but they are a big companies making big money. But there kits are designed for the (nice driver) type of guy that just wants to sample boost.


well to put it all to rest if he's gonna run and run hard and has the money, go custom. If he's just going to put it on and be happy with ample boost get hahn or star. Other wise when you compare prices of a stage 3 or 4 to a custom setup they are about even. If done right the first time (piping ang manifold work) I feel you would actually come out cheaper than a stage 3 or 4 with out all the spare parts you will have from the previous stages. late mike

Well it seems like you got some skills, so I am going to say do a custom kit, IF money is a concern. If you think about it, getting all the parts to make it work isnt that hard. You can save a bit of money this way, but it will cause more headaches to find the proper parts. Easiest way to do it is to copy the HRC setup. Its simple, effective, and uses a good turbo, and a manifold to match shouldn't be that difficult to find. Once you got the turbo and ex mani, get the SFMU, Missing Link, some fuel line, connectors ect, some gauges, a BOV, and then a 1g sidemount IC, a piece together some exaust piping for the IC piping which can all be obtained from JC Whitney, or have a muffler shop bend you some. If they cant make the turbo to stock downpipe, just purchase that from HRC. Get some vac lines, and a few T's, and the oil drain line and fitting from HRC, and you should be pretty close for a kit. How much money you can save is up to you, and where you get the turbo, and other parts, either new or used. I think it would be fun to piece it all together, but it WILL take more time in the long run, but will save a bit of money(esp if you buy used stuff in good shape, and you shop around). Things can get real complicated if you try and use other turbos than the Hahn or Starr kit ones, so keep that in mind. I as well as others have replaces many parts that came with the Hahn kit, so be aware of that. Also, as my lust for speed has become greater since the turbo, I almost would have liked to go with the T3/T4 turbo setup, rather than the S16G..Its plain simply a better turbo, and can make more power up top. Like said above, drag racing, go with a T3/T4.. More of a fun street car, get the S16g. Hope this helps some.

Thanks for the responses so far! I know this has been covered but when I usually try to search the search function doesn't always work for me. He wants to save money but also wants it done ASAP. He was looking at buying used kit or something but I myself prefer buying new for peace of mind if nothing else. I am charging him for the install too so take that into consideration. The more time I spend doing it the more $$ I'm charging so in the long run it may be the same or cheaper with a HRC/STAR kit. He is lot looking to have a strip car, just wants a fast street car. No matter what way he goes, it will be faster than it is now being 100% stock!:) I can give him a set install price with the HRC since I've done it already but with a custom setup I would not be sure until it was over with.

After doing 2 HRC installs, I'd honestly make my own kit. I feel I have enough experience from my installs to put together my own. Also, some of the parts in the HRC kit just suck ass. 3000GT BOV, WTF. Cartech FPR, I think everyone has had their share of problems with that thing. I'd build my own and go with the Bigger Turbo (maybe t3/t4 or Super 20G), TTI Manifold, Apexi Front Mount, A better BOV, Vortech S-FMU, 315cc injecters, Walbro fuel pump, and Pipes can be bought at JC Whitney and bent pretty much anywhere. The rest of the kit can be purchased pretty much anywhere. SS oil line, SS return line, SS fuel lines, clamps, and silicone pipe connecters. I'm sure if you have enough experience installing any of these kits you could easily put together a kit with better stuff and still pay less than the HRC stage II by 500-1000 dollars.

custom man, you'll learn how to tweak things n plus you will be building it so you will know everything you have done.


96 Talon ESi Mods
apex' dunk exhaust
injen short ram intake
magnecore 8.5mm wires
blocked off EGR
front/rear strut tower bars
custom painted interior
carbon fiber hood

Go with the HRC Stage2 no doubt. If he does decide on a custom setup, certainly charge more - it will be tougher.