[07xterra4x4]

Hi all fellow VQ40de owners and others! As my handle implies, I own a 6 speed manual 07 xterra off road edition. I have decided to join this form, as, from my past 3 years of research, this form has given me the best information for engine mods. My current mods are as follows:

K&N cold air intake
Intake manifold spacer
Doug Thorley long tubes
Magnaflow high flow cats (where the stock secondarys used to be)
Custom y-pipe with magnaflow y
1 in 1 out magnaflow cat back exhaust
Jim wolf low inertia flywheel with larger clutch
Hypertech tuner tuned to 91 with wot restriction removed

I have not dynoed yet, or at all, but to quote someone on this or another forum "it runs like a raped ape!" I can go up an 8% grade in 5th gear without a sweat at 2000 rpm, and have passing power without downshifting!

My dilemma: The quest for more power! I have read about all the builds and upgrades done the past 3 years, and have concluded, for simplicity in my sake, that I would go the stillien route. I would probably do it in stages. High flow fuel pump with 1000cc injectors first, then tackle the supercharger later. I would buy the "tuner version" sans computer wire cutting, and get uprev.

So, the wisdom I seek in respect to the title of this thread is, will I loose any bottom end torque with the power robbing belt driven air pump mounted on top of my engine? Will I have to shift down to 4th going up that hill, then all of a sudden feel a kick in my but? As it is right now, I go from a stand still to 6500 rpm in a blink in first gear (manual).

There are not many videos out there showing a manual with a stillen, let alone one with the mods I have.

Will the mods I have compliment the stillen with uprev?

Anyone have the mods I have or close with a stillen and manual tranny?

I do realize running the hypertech is not the best. Probably running rich, and I would like to get uprev sooner than later, but the hand held tuner was the first mod, and the hardest $350cad to throw away!

Am I going to need uprev first anyways if I upgrade the fuel pump and injectors in anticipation of the supercharge, to properly get the computer to set output on the injectors?

That's about it. Any wisdom from members much appreciated!

Thanks!

P.S. For me, I moved my sensors down before and after the high flow cats. I used 2 antifoulers on the passenger side rear, and one on the driver side rear to trick the CEL. This has worked for months!

 

[shift_RUSH]

Likely not typing anything you don't already know, but my understanding is that SCs provide near instantaneous boost, whereas a turbo must spool up...thus making an auto trans a better choice for the latter to avoid turbo-lag.

Hope you push forward w/ this project...should be interesting to say the least.
_____

Curious as how bad your exhaust drone is at cruising speeds with your current exhaust setup?

 

[Nomad 13]

Likely not typing anything you don't already know, but my understanding is that SCs provide near instantaneous boost, whereas a turbo must spool up...thus making an auto trans a better choice for the latter to avoid turbo-lag.

^ This. No lag with a SC. It provides instant boost off of idle and will also improve your low end torque. Works well with auto and manual trans. Only thing to worry about is piston/ring damage. The SC, like a turbo, creates more cylinder pressure and thus puts more load on the pistons, rings, con rods and bearings. If your engine is not healthy is will quickly deteriorate. So make sure and take mileage into account. The more boost you run the more stress it puts on the engine components and drive train.

 

[07xterra4x4]

Drone

Likely not typing anything you don't already know, but my understanding is that SCs provide near instantaneous boost, whereas a turbo must spool up...thus making an auto trans a better choice for the latter to avoid turbo-lag.

Hope you push forward w/ this project...should be interesting to say the least.
_____

Curious as how bad your exhaust drone is at cruising speeds with your current exhaust setup?

Drone and rasp was noticed intensely after first instal of the long tubes. But, it has calmed down after some breaking in. Probably have gotten used to it as well! I may still instal a resonator at the tip to help out.

 

[07xterra4x4]

Mileage with supercharger

^ This. No lag with a SC. It provides instant boost off of idle and will also improve your low end torque. Works well with auto and manual trans. Only thing to worry about is piston/ring damage. The SC, like a turbo, creates more cylinder pressure and thus puts more load on the pistons, rings, con rods and bearings. If your engine is not healthy is will quickly deteriorate. So make sure and take mileage into account. The more boost you run the more stress it puts on the engine components and drive train.

Yes I'm aware and afraid of damaging engine with supercharger install on 171000km (106000miles), but I was under the impression we have some well built stock internal components. It is not a daily driver, it's my after work and weekender. I wasn't planning on ramping up boost either, just keeping stock stillen setup with uprev tuning. If our engines kept in line with the quality of the 300zx twin turbo, I would hope I would have no worries. I have seen, many years go, a 300 twin turbo with larger turbos and other mods with over 350000km on original engine going strong!

 

[ToddG]

The main downside of a SC is parasitic loss.
Meaning the SC is constantly running off the engine (belt driven) whether you are boosting (using it) or not.
A turbo runs off of gas exhaust and therefore takes almost no power to make more power.

Turbos are proven to be much more efficient overall (if you worry about gas consumption).
And with the proper set-up turbo lag is almost a thing of the past, making that a non-discussion item.
It's also been shown that a turbo can produce power through a greater range of RPMs vs. a supercharger.

All that being said, adding more power is always exciting, no matter your decision keep us informed.
Oh, and to answer your question, if you have the funds and patience to SC your rig DO IT! :thumbsup:

 

[dave11]

This is a subject I have looked into. What I found is that it does take a while for the turbo to spool up at lower RPMs, whereas a SC provides boost across the RPM range. The higher RPM you are turning at a given time the less turbo lag there is. At about 3500 RPM the turbo has spooled up, and there is no lag. You have a manual trans. If you don't need low end grunt, I would just get a turbo and keep the RPMs up to above 3500. That way you can have the best of both worlds. If you do need low end power to jump stumps, get the SC.

 

[imamorninperson]

I had this same question at the beginning of this past month. I have decided, due to the high cost to power ratio and for the challenge, to go turbo. Im looking to keep between 4-8 psi but should easily surpass the output of the stillen SC. As of right now (if nothing goes wrong), i should be able to stay in the 3500$ range.

I will make a build thread and keep everyone updated as soon as i decide which manifolds to use. Stuck between obx ( on backorder 5-9 weeks) and jba. Any input on the two of these would be great.