TTS Performance Tuning-Rotrex Superchargers
TTS Performance Tuning-Rotrex Superchargers
As I have seen from many threads posted in the club and on facebook there are many Lexus IS200 owners who would like to have more power from the 1GFE engine. Many are trying to get handle on a rare TTE supercharger kit or try to make one on their own with custom parts and a few take the turbo kit route. Well I took the opportunity to contact TTS Performance Tuning in UK who sell Rotrex superchargers and provide a few ready Rotrex kits for some cars and bikes. I informed about the demand of many of you to have more power and that it would be a good opportunity for them to supply a Rotrex supercharger kit for the IS200 into the UK and Europe market. Both sides would be satisfied. TTS would earn money and Lexus owners would have a ready bolt-on supercharger kit for their Lexus. Well here their reply I got today:
"We have looked at this before. I would need a donor car, so far despite the interest nobody has committed to us."
So according to above message it is a good chance and opportunity for any of you to have a ready Rotrex supercharger kit. They just need a donor car. Think about it.
I am not earning anything from all of this. I am just trying to help all the members of the club and of course any Lexus owner out there who would like more power.
Dave (Almost finished) had a rotrex on his car for a while, awesome bit of kit!
Where are they and what's the catch? I may be willing to be a doner!
reganlives Where are they and what's the catch? I may be willing to be a doner!
reganlives Where are they and what's the catch? I may be willing to be a doner!
Quote:"as opposed to any displacement charger is the fact all displacement chargers produce maximum boost at about 3000 engine rpm and then tail off as you rev higher. This is a big problem when driving, as you do not want near max power at low rpm as you get tremendous traction problems, which is a particular problem if you compete in drag races and standing quarter miles, as all you do is spin the wheels and go nowhere."
I'd be very interested how they expect to be managing the engine with a rotrex. It runs a fair bit more boost than the ancient Eaton chargers in the TTE kit.
The problem with IS200 owners is that they never want to spend any money. The cars are cheap and the expectation is that the power will be cheap. A properly tuned up rotrex is going to cost upwards of 5 grand at the very minimum I'd imagine. That's the low end of V8 money. Or better still, an IS300 and plenty of change.
Edit: I found this bit particularly amusing:
Quote:"as opposed to any displacement charger is the fact all displacement chargers produce maximum boost at about 3000 engine rpm and then tail off as you rev higher. This is a big problem when driving, as you do not want near max power at low rpm as you get tremendous traction problems, which is a particular problem if you compete in drag races and standing quarter miles, as all you do is spin the wheels and go nowhere."
According to the ready car kit (Honda engines) prices TTS have on their website they start from 2.5K and the extreme performance option reaches 5K. So I believe 5K will be too much for a 1st stage upgrade of the Lexus. I estimate it will be in the range of 2.2-2.5K.
The C30 is probably the one people will go for, which is £1485 + VAT which will leave you at £1800 (near as damnit) before you've even thought about fitting it. If a mount kit, intercooler, tune, plugs, injectors and the installation fee can be done for £700 then I'd be very impressed. Tuning time will cost you nearly that much and that's when you've actually got an ECU you can do something with. If the usual black box route will work then it's probably just about doable.
Also, it's worth noting that Dave had an Antanov two speed gearbox on his, which brought the boost up much quicker in the lower revs. I wouldn't use his car as a comparison.
The point is, if you're spending £2.5k for something essentially bespoke and you are only at "stage 1" (whatever that means), what's the difference between that and the TTE charger?
I appreciate that you're giving us other options, I'm just not convinced the maths adds up on this one. Regardless of the kit you run, the problem is still going to be the same problem anyone tuning an IS200 has - the ECU. That's the point where people just go and buy another car, because there isn't a cheap and easy way to do it.
Right, looking into what they have on offer for other cars:
The Aygo supply and fit is £3500 + VAT, followed by £500 + VAT supply and fit for a tuned AEM unit for managing your fuel.
That's £4000 + VAT for everything fitted, which is £4800. Not far off the 5K mark I initially projected.
Civic (EP3) supersport kit is £3600 + VAT and that's not including fitting or the AEM unit.
It could be another option for owners who want to supercharger their Lexus. Bear in mind TTE kits are rare and not easy to hold one. This is the reason I thought to come in touch with TTS. Regarding who will be willing to contact them there are already a few who want to offer their Lexus as a donor car. Supercharger and turbo kits are never a cheap option either if you are talking for new or old cars. It depends who wants to spend some money or not for more power. I just thought it could be another option for someone...
I agree, and thanks for sorting it out. I just don't want to see a load of people saying "yes, I'm interested put me down for one" thinking they will be all in for 2.5k, when the reality could be double that. That won't do us or TTS any favours.
5k is decent turbo money.