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Vargas Turbo Tech Stage 2 + Trans Build with EC Canada Tuning Results-
About a month ago I got around to completing my stage 2 build using the first set of VTT Stage 2 turbos along with a built tranmission using AMS/Excedy Clutches and the Weistec deep pan. I also did a few other mods at the time including splitting the cooling circuit, custom turbo smart BOV, and all UPD pulleys. You may recall I posted pics of the VTT turbos, but here are a few for reminder. These are stock frame GT22 hybrids using Billet Impeller and larger non clipped exhaust wheels. The same wheels are good for close to 500 whp a turbo in other platforms like the ecoboost mustang, so there is good CFM capacity for sure.
Full mods on the car are as follows:
Turbo back full downpipes
3" custom exhaust to tips
UPD Intake spacers and specter tubes
UPD Crank and accessory pulleys
VTT stage 2 turbos
Eurocharged Custom Dyno tune
AMS Clutch upgraded transmission
Installation:
My car is RWD, and I was removing the transmission to be built, so I decided the motor would come out the old fashioned way, through the top of the engine bay vs dropping the subframe cradle. Overall it was a relatively easy job, akin to pulling any other motor. Did not even have to pull the rad out, just the fan assemble to make room. I removed the trans from below, removed all lines and harnesses above, and out she came on a cherry picker and load tiller. Best to have a couple of guys with you, one underneath, and one guy working the tiller, with another moving the hoist.
As for the turbo install, it was smooth as butter given they are OEM frames. I probably went overkill, but I used all new hardware, gaskets, and oil feed and return lines. I have the parts list for those that may want it, but those parts totaled about $1100 CDN. Also did new mounts while I was there, for another $700 or so CDN. All that to say be prepared for ancillary parts costs along with install. you can probably get away with just gaskets on the lines, and not complete new lines, which would have saved about $500.
Once the motor/turbo assembly was complete, we put it back in the car and waited for the trans to be built. I used a local re builder that specializes in 722.9 trans and they turned it around in 1 day.
So after the install it toook me a while to get tuned do to having to work out some bugs. First car needed wet clutch adaptation for the trans. Then the shift adaptions and break in period for about 500 km, during which the car shifted erratic, inconsistent and some times not at all. I cleared all base adaptions after putting the trans back in, which may have compoound the problem. I spoke to someone else who had done the same build, and he assured me that it would get better once it learned adapations again. This proved right and trans is now 99%. I get the odd delay now and then at certain light throttle positions, but I'm sure its almost there.
I tired a set of Brisk Silver core non projected plugs, and the car hated them. Consistent miss at idle, break up under boost, stalling and decel. I tossed those in the garbage and put in some NGK Iridium 8's and car idles and runs smooth as ever. The same weekend I fabbed up the BOV flange to the charge pipe, and got that installed as well. Finally ready to rock and roll.
Intial Impressions:
Once the car was running well, I start prodding a bit, but stayed out of much boost since I wasn't tuned yet. Car felt alot stronger down low, and spool characteristic did not feel changed from stock turbos. All that to say it felt promising, but familiar. A few more miles on it and I felt it was time to tune and see what we could do.
Results:
So I did not do baseline completly stock, but I did dyno the car after getting it tuned originally ( an early version of the Eurocharged tune by jerry over 2 years ago). The dyno results at the time were 580whp and 660 wtq. After that I added downpipes/exhaust and UPD intakes, but never did retune or dyno again, so don;t have true before and after build comparison.
When I got to Eurocharged Canada, They got it right on the dyno to baseline the car as is. Car made 640whp and 717wtq, so pretty goood start. Having not had an M157 ECU with my SW version, Slav had to make a file from scratch. This took a bit of time, but let the car cool down a bit. As I am going to add a killer chiller and Methanol later in the fall, I wanted to run only pump gas (94 oct) and be very conservative for now. Given that and the temps of the day ( 28c and very humid) I was going to be happy with 700+ whp.
Well we got there on the 3rd pull. 705whp and 830Wtq! This is pump gas only, no meth, and very conservative timing (mostly stock with 1 degree adder ). I didn't log boost on the dyno, but on the road later I saw 24psi in 4th. With cooler weather, meth and KC, I expect to run 28 psi and more timing. It should easily make 800whp in that trim. Here is the Dyno:
Overall I am quite happy. Car looks/feels/sounds like a monster and has a ton more in it. It was great working with Tony @ Vargas TT to get these new stage 2 turbos built and brought to market and Slav and Vlad at EC Canada on the tuning. Also shout out to Salik at MB PowerHaus for helping me with the install efforts and letting me use the shop for a week. It takes a village....
Tony has an interesting plan for these turbos so look for more game changing options from him soon. Feel free to hit him up for info on pricing and availability.
great write up and congrats on the successful implants. It takes guts to do this on a $50K engine.
I assumed you posted this in E versus CLS section for visibility purposes.
Looking forward to mile runs and chasing the competitions down with great results.
Great write up! Good to see the M157 continue to develope aftermarket wise. Can't wait to upgrade turbos and trans on mine, you made nice power on a conservative tune!
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