I'm leaning towards STS so i don't have to buy headers plus the sound of the turbo really get's me pumped!!! I have true duals right now. That can be worked around obviously with the help of an exhaust shop. Question is what kinda of numbers versus dollars am i looking at for these systems? I'd definatly do a cam with it, and i'm not looking at staying low on boost, I'm gonna try and push it a lil bit, i'm sure the 4L60 will end up popping soon enough, is the turbo a lil less punishing on the tranny? or does it not matter, i dont' wanna go to the 80, i just think they suck up too much power. input welcomed..........

 

who said you had to buy headers with a Radix?

vote Radix

 

I think he means that a SC engine will greatly benefit from headers, whereas a turbo'd engine won't benefit nearly as much. However, you don't NEED headers for any type of FI. It all depends on how much air you want to move and how far you want to push it.

High boost and 60e's don't mix. It doesn't matter if its a SC or a TC. Either one will toast your stock 60e, especially when you start turning up the whick.

#'s vs. $'s, I think the Radix will get you more power per dollar, especially when upping the boost over 6psi like you want. To run an STS over 6psi you'll need to add an intercooler, a fuel pump and injectors. All of which the Radix kit includes.

Hope that helps.

 

exactly what i meant,

question, how does a 60E with a shift kit and vette servo hold up to 6psi or so? I don't plan on doing anything with stock cam, so what are we talking.... like maybe 400-420 rwhp? with it stand up to that?

 

My Radix, made 343/364 out of the box on a 100% bone stock truck. With tuning it made 380/400 and ran a 12.9@102. The only other mods were a trailblazer torque converter and corsa exhaust. I can't wait to dyno it and go to the track now, since the cam and pulley swap.

 

I made 353/398 with only a custom tune on a mobile dyno. Made 409/497 with 3.2 pulley, 1.8 rockers, Airraid intake, and a touched up tune (thanks Crash Dummy!!!). Stock heads/cam, stock converter.

 

You're killin me Vanilla! :p

The STS kit does'nt COME with a intercooler kit like the Radix, true. But for about the same price as a Radix you can have an STS kit and an Intercooler and injectors. Most dealers run specials on them so don't look at the retail price

IMO if you want the most power and have a good tuner in your area then the STS is the way to go. If you want simple and stupid power than go all out N/A then hit it with the juice.

I will soon have a Radix to add to my arsenal and I'll gladly give my opinion on it as well but the track #s I have seen from the Radix are not as impressive to me as the STS #s when all the same mods are done. Then again, I'm just a nut and love being able to turn up the boost at the flick of a switch..

In order of Performance IMO:
#1 STS
#2 Nitrous
#3 Radix

In order of simplicity and reliability
#1 Radix
#2 Nitrous
#3 STS (not nearly as simple)

I also want to state that when i say STS I mean turbos in general. So the Livernois kit could be used in place of.

 

At 5psi my 5.3 made 400 rwhp at 7.5 it made 486 rwhp. This is in the hottest part of summer in the south. The rwhp at 7.5 psi is close to what I was looking for with the 5.7 at 11-12 lbs of boost. I can't wait to see what kind of #s the 5.7, I/C and more boost will produce. My best e.t. was 13.1 so far and best trap speed is 110.9, not to shabby for 4500 lb race weight. There is nothing like going to the track and having everyone run up after a run and ask how much you are spraying because they see the alcy and no turbo. I hot lapped the truck 4 times and trapped 110.x, 109.x, 110.x and 110.x. You don't have to worry about heat soak with the turbo. You will definately need a stall with the turbo. I don't have an I/C on the truck right now. I am using methanol to keep the temps down. A Radix would kill me off the line with the stock 4l80e. From a roll I would rip them a new one. That will change once the tq converter goes in. There are very few vehicles that I can't suprise on the highway. Either way you go if you start increasing the power you will eventually be doing a tranny swap. There is currently a Radix kit and a STS kit for sale in the classified section, so either kit can be had for a good price. I don't think you would be dissapointed with either. As you can tell I have a slight bias towards the turbo. Either way you go I would highly recommend a custom street or track tune.

 

It really depends on what you are looking for, they all three have their place in the performance world.


If you want to bolt it on forget about it and go have fun, Radix.

If you want to fill it up all the time and have fun, Nitrous.

If you want to buy a base STS kit, buy some injectors, buy an intercooler, get a good dyno tune, worry about sucking up standing water.....Buy an STS.

Then, this is my opinion and we all know what opinions are.

My RWHP numbers posted below are with the stock boost and a cam.

 

I'm gonna kick you in the jimmy for that one!! LOL