After taking apart the Cartech and Vortech, it comes to little surprise why the Cartech frequently has so many more problems.

First, the Cartech's internals are garbage. The diaphram is a shoddy rubber-like material which has obvious indentions in it after use. There are a lot of little parts in it, including a dinky metal plate, and all appear to create a great risk of failure.

Second, the Vortech units are made of first rate meterials. Even the feel of the regulator seems so much better in quality. There are far fewer parts, and the parts in it are easily replaceable. Granted, it's easier to turn the brass knob on the Cartech in order to change the boosted fuel ratio, but even that seems "cheap" after you take apart the FPR and realize how it functions by banging the compressed air against that ridiculously shoddy Cartech diaphram.

The heavy duty spring by itself in the Vortech simply blows away the smallish spring in the Cartech. I could go on all day, but the bottom line is, the Vortech may have come along after the Cartech/Bell model, but its pretty clear that Vortech has taken a small amount of that pioneered Bell technology and taken it to a new level through better engineering, design, and quality material inclusion. Make no illusions here about this comparison, the Cartech model looks like crap in comparison.

If I were HRC, I'd maybe think over my suppliers to both their fuel cut defencer, and their FPR's. I have no problem acting as a guinea pig (for HRC) in order to support better quality in the future with an overall great product. I'm not at all bitter like the Neon boosted people (who complain), b/c if all the pieces were to act exactly as they are SUPPOSED to, then there wouldn't be any issue here to even discuss. Theoretically, the fuel system is well conceived. It has proven me well, through all sorts of weather conditions, track passes, and daily driven to hell. It's just the craftmanship behind the FPR's and the FCD's that have a LOT to be desired!

Even HRC has emphasized the importance of the fuel system in a turbo kit. To me, compromising the integrity of a great system, with a compilation of so many other great aspects, including a terrific turbo, manifold, fuel system DESIGN and everything else to a couple of shoddy parts isn't worth it...even if it means hurting some suppliers feelings. After all, it's not their engines on the line!

_____________________________________
Jason ESi-T

04' BMW 325Ci
91' Nissan 240SX
98' Eagle Talon ESi (sold)

Hooray, hear-hear, bravo, and I totally agree with you!

I was simply amazed at Hahn's responses to my questions about the Cartech. Basically, "you bought it, so why should we replace it? It works for us."

If every 10th tire from a Ford truck rolled over, there'd be a serious problem! Who cares if the tires were cheap and cut down on the manufacturing costs!? A fuel starved engine because of a regulator that can't hold pressure is expensive when it blows. blah.

I love my turbo. I love my manifold. The HRC kit is really quite good, but why does it have such goofy fuel parts?!

Dan
99RS

i'm gonna start a poll on this...maybe we can get enough people to raise an interest in Bill Hahn's eyes.

_________________
Vinnie Lima
vlima@csc.com
AIM: Kiku888
1997 Chrysler Sebring "Silver XTC"
I4 420a w/ HRC Stage 2.45 w/ FMIC
14.7@97 mph@6psi
Proud member of the
ASOG BoOsT JuNkIe Crew