Sorry you definition and my definition of stock differs. I was referring to the drivetrain is back to stock...intercooler, header, downpipe, intake, injectors. So the car goes back to the stock 163 HP, I get stock fuel mileage, I stock performance. That is stock to me. Not, like you think, that the engine compartment has to look showroom stock to a Motoring Advisor. I could care less about the missing plastic pieces. I can replace the heatshield in no-time too, just a few nuts to tighten while I'm under the car taking care of replacing the downpipe with the stock header assembly, and I'm not a master mechanic.

 

Trickle X,
I am sorry you had to go to the store, as EVERYTHING is included. Clamps hoses,bolts, and all that should be in the box. We include a check list because of all the parts. What were you missing? This is the one thing we heard complaints about with other kits, and was something we made sure was perfect with ours. Heat shielding, and everything!

The install isn't for everyone, but it is simple in its execution. The only tricky thing is removing the firwall, and cutting it. Some of the bolts are hard to find, but other than that everything should have gone just fine.

Like dominicminicoopers said, its an oil line, header, Downpipe, intake and boost tube. That is it! Simple but tricky the first time.

The TB to SC tube is something we explain to silicone the seals to ensure no leaks. We have tested this and it actually holds boost pretty well to 14PSI. Which the turbo will not run that high for most people.But it is a concern so we tell people to remove it and silicone the seals. This adds to the install time, but it is also something that will ensure future use.

The "Take back to stock" day is only difficult, do to the firewall being cut. The drivers side plastic is much simpler to cut and leave then trying to remove.

I can't wait to see what you get out of the car for HP! A customer in FL got 240 at 18PSI! I say 275 is knocking on your door with 20-21 PSI and a good tune!

 

My issue with returning to stock, as well as probably many others is, for resale. After over a decade of purchasing new bikes every season only to tear off 60% of it to replace it with race parts, when returning back to stock, it was never the same as what I could buy from a person who had a street only bike. So selling the bike was always a lot harder & it always went for much less then a slightly modified street bike. Its just costs more to play then the parts do to put on.

All of that aside, this post was on the Alta kit, not the other kits & which kit is better or worse. I am sure whatever kit a person buys, to them it was the best for whatever reason they bought it for. Lets try to keep my kit is better than your kit to another post if need be. This could be part of the reason why others dont bother to post their results with some items, no one wants to be made a fool of.

I also want to say I dont want my posts to represent what everyone will expirence with the Alta kit. They do include every fastner that you need to bolt everything up, but if you want to deviate from the plan, then you will need to make a few trips. Like I said, this was the 1st kit I installed, and I am sure I maybe mis-interpeted things on the intial install. It usually takes a few times before you really get things down pat. I am sure that is why you choose to have someone else with more expierence install your kit, but feel free to correct me if I am wrong....

None of this response is meant as disrespect to anyone, so please no one take offense. I just want to help others out in a non-subjective way. I will report the facts.....thats it..

 

We need more people like you Trickle X...

 

Jeff,

No apologies needed.....Everything was in my kit as you say, I have no issue with that!! I just needed to route some things differently & whatnot. I do have some things I would like to suggest to you, but I will do that offline.

I really appreciate your help on the phone with the few questions I did have.

 

Thanks! feeling the love.........

 

you know it!

 

When asked "what am i going to need other than what comes in the kit?", you replied "A lot of trips to the parts store....I made about 5 trips this weekend, getting addtional hoses, clamps, fittings...and so on...just lil stuff, but thats the way it goes...." I had no way in knowing that this was for extra stuff due to deviations from the plan. I'm sorry for misunderstanding. No offense taken.

What you type needs to be done in context. You said once you go twin charge there's no way to get your car back to stock. Many people, like myself, would have taken this to mean drivetrain wise since you're posting it in the Performance Mods: Drivetrain forum. However, if you posted this in the beneath the bonnet or in the interior exterior mods, I'd agree, that returning the "appearance" of the engine bay back to stock would be difficult and I would have not typed out the above. I thank Alta for responding with confirmation that it is a cosmetic thing that cannot be easily returned, but the drivetrain is just a few turns of the wrench away.

 

I apologize for the confusion.......

 

No prob

 

this has been a very helpful discussion. I want a t/c mini now!!!!!

 

I can help you out there! 5 days left on our turbo kit sale. Email me or pm if you have any questions.

Thanks, Cliff

 

Ok, I am back from spring break & finally got to wrenching on the the mini. I replaced my cracked oil housing with a new unit. Finally....able to take her for a spin without it spewing oil. I had the boost controller set all the way out to get baseline boost readings....I was only boosting around 4psi, stopped checked for leaks, looked good & adjusted the boost controller another few turns & now its boosting around 8psi. I stopped again & checked for leaks & adjusted the controller another few turns, about 1/3 total in, so I have another 2/3rds to adjust & hit 12psi, but it was running ruff in the middle. WOT was fine & when the turbo is spooled it's a rocket. I pulled back into the shop & called it a night.

I need to call Alta when they get in & discuss my initial results so far. I am concerned about the partial throttle being jumpy & want to discuss that with them. I am sure its just all in the tuning at the moment, as there is basically no tuning done, its just stock, I havent installed the apexi or injectors yet, so stock map.

I do have a ses light, and i havent read the code yet, but does anyone know if my VAG-com will work? I havent tried it yet, but will, just thought I would ask.

Thanks

 

Spoke to Alta & it seems that i may have a pressure leak somewhere. Should have more boost than I am seeing. Looks like its time to break out the compressor....

 

I know exactly where your boost leak is and why you are having a jumpy throttle. You need to permanetly close the bypass valve. And the throttle body to supercharger pipe is coming off. You need to make a bracket to hold the bottom of the pipe on. I can boost 28psi with the alta 5% supercharger pulley. Which would be about 20 psi or so on that tube and I have no leaks.

 

Noice....

But let me ask you, which bypass valve are you referring too?

I do have to agree with you on the throttle body tube, as I dont see any source for leaks from my install as I verified all the hoses & piping...

Thanks a TON!

 

Ok I figured out the BP valve thingy from the yo yo chonicles.....I will give that a go & try to mount the inlet tube for the sc better. Any suggestions on that, or eaisest way to get at it?

Thanks

 

The Bypass won't leak under boost as the boost pushes it closed. But the tube between the TB and intake could be the problem. But seriously i think the leak is after the SC. The SC pulley makes more boost than that. In our instructructions we suggest to Silicone that hose to the SC inlet to help that out. But the hose has never been messed with, it won't leak until you reach about 15-18PSI from the turbo.

But if the TB was ever removed, it could be part of the problem. Keep us posted to what you find!

 

Finally....No more boost leak....Here is the skinny:

I went over everything last nite again. Pulled the intercooler & did some visuals. The throttle body tube was intact and when pressure tested I found no leaks. I did tie open the BPV on the inlet to the intake manifold & that cured the jumpy throttle(thanks Spillman). I didnt unhook the arm, just tied it open, but I think it still tries to move and its causing a cel p1242 every once and a while which points to the bpv. I buttoned her all up & take it down the road. Its noisey, sounds like I still have a boost leak. I drive it a bit listening carefully. I notice when the blowoff valve vents, the leak builds in the same manner till blowoff. Then the lite went off in my head......sound like the leak is coming from the blowoff valve. I pull over & pop the hood...yup sure enuff...there is my leak. Blowoff valve is stuck open. I was watching my boost gauge & I was only seeing around 12psi that entire time max. Mind you I wasnt flogging it, as I am still doing my troubleshooting. I tinker around with the blowoff valve, adjusting it & got it to snap shut. Time for a ride..... OMG.....I have never and mean NEVER seen a boost gauge move so fast!! I was trying to control my throttle as not to over boost, but that turbo spooled into the SC just is insane! I pegged my 25psi gauge in a split millisecond & imediately pulled off to adjust my boost controller. I back it out the whole way, but I am still able to hit 20 psi. This car is I N S A N E ! ! ! Thank God I put in a Quaife or this car would just spin to the moon. It pulls so hard uptop & doesnt want to stop! On my TT it pulls hard down low, but then it tappers off up top.

I went back to the shop & pulled out the injectors & I am sending them out to Alta today to have them modified to the 550cc flow rate. I still need to wire up the Apexi, but at least its installed. I will get that done over the weekend so I am ready for the Injectors when they come back. Then its off to the dyno.....

I have been documenting most of my work & will be posting that all up soon as I am off the dyno.

 

Dude...what a write up ! I actually felt as if i was in the car with you then

....all this from a stock ecu too ? wooooow

 

Thanks! Yup stock ECU....not the smoothest transitions, but I anticipate it working out once the Apexi is helping the fuel map out.

 

hehehe nice write up trickle....LOL....fun isn't it!

 

Oh YEAH........

 

iam with u on that, i felt so excited as if my car was twurbo'd - unfortunately its not. at least its still an S

cant believe its all on stock ecu.

trickles later can u post the complete list of mods (performance wise) done to the car to make the alta turbo compatible? also u mentioned lsd, anything else like this to keep the power on the floor would be useful.


Tuls - u work intimately with turbos.. whats ur impressions of the alta unit against the other one on the market? (not helix, the otherbrand .. um spexi or excel or something lol forget the name)

 

nevermind about the mod list - just saw ur signature