Originally posted by Twisted6:
Look at ADC's own dynos though, especially the 3L Vortech vs the 3L ADC Turbo, at 3 PSI more than the Vortech, the ADC is still making less total horsepower, though it makes more torque. The thing that bothered me is look at the power curve of the turbo, spikes and drops and climbs. The Vortech, a steady, broad, even climb. I say dyno both at the same boost level and I am sure alot of us here knows who would post the higher numbers and the better curve.


That's a 2.5L turbo you are comparing to a 3L S/C (we are talking about the 390 HP ones right???)

Also it's not the T28 in the kit. That was good for about 300FWHP/280FWTQ with the smaller intercooler and at 12-13psi.
That's also on a BONE STOCK 00 SVT engine!!!

The 390/360 numbers were a T3/4 (57 trim - small housing IIRC) on an 8.5:1 forged 2.5L engine.

The S/C numbers are on a car with at least 30k in mods. He damn well better be making power!!!

You will not see that out of the stock kit nor near it but it does show the Vortech's potential when it's built properly and Rick sure did everything right.


To really see the truth they'd have to be dyno'd back to back. I agree.

I'd still put my money on the 2.5L for TQ and maybe a tie for HP. The Vortech should pull the HP lead out if he spins it to 7500rpm or so.

That goes for the T28 vs either S/C engine as well. It's no secret the T28 was specifically chosen for it's broad power curve. It runs out of air around 300 wheels. (like I stated earlier)

However you just seem to be bench racing PEAK numbers which do not tell the story at all. Matter of fact by themselves they are pretty much worthless.

The turbo makes a better overall curve. No question.


Hell for that matter...

If you bench raced "peak numbers" then every Vortech car would beat me. Too bad it's the other way around since my goal was overall power curve verse peak numbers.

I'm just a lowly NA low compression 3L to boot.


My goal was to spite the Vortech "kit" and like I said, "I beam from ear to ear about it"


If you want to pit 3L vs 3L

Tom's bone stock (including cams!) budget oval port 3L turbo project did 325/330 at 9psi. (hacked up stock precats too!)

With a power curve that slaughters the 3L S/C until about 6000rpm.

We won't even talk cost vs cost...


So this just strengthens my position that the Vortech kit "as is" SUCKS ASS.

With about $1500-2000 it can be made fairly reliable. (shaft bearing & intercooler)

However if the kit is $3500.
Injectors & fuel pump $200+
Chip and custom tuning $500+
Then tack on the reliability NEEDS and...

That's $5500-6000.


Add some more if you want to match the headers ($600+) and filter ($50) and...

You get the picture... It's not nearly as inexpensive as they make it seem.


Now if you can pick up an inspected kit for cheap and spend the extra money on the reliability mods you are getting somewhere.

It certainly does make power. It's mean as hell on the highway too!!!
It definitely has a lot of potential but it needs help getting there or better yet STAYING there.

2000 SVT #674 13.47 @ 102 - All Motor! It was not broke; Yet I fixed it anyway.