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Can't decide on turbo kit! Help!!
- Thread starter roughrider99
- Start date
Is there such a thing as a good powderlites kit??. and if so then why are so many of you who have them having ALL these problems with them [thread after thread] " had to phone dave for this problem or that", oh by the way great customer service. if the kit was good to start with you wouldn't need to be phoneing just install and ride thats why my choice would be an Alpine kit. and before you all start with the cracking header issue that Alpine experianced early on is because dave was the fabricater and all of his headers that were sold to Alpine during that time had cracking issues.I khow what i'me talking about because i have been fabricating and welding there new style headers and down pipes for the past year with no issues.Alpine kits have had a lot of r &d on them and we continue to invest time and money to inprove on what we have before you the riders get them. people will buy the system that they can afford or what there dealership deals in is it the best? to them maybe, thats good then go try an Alpine kit.
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MTdream
Well-known member
I LOVE my NW turbo kit...it is a 10 PSI kit can be dialed down, and up to 12...but with cast Manifold and cast downpipe, it is WELL thought out, and possibly built stronger than some kits...
Customer Service is PHENOMENAL, and pricing is some of the best in industry @ $4500
Customer Service is PHENOMENAL, and pricing is some of the best in industry @ $4500
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IRONMAN
Well-known member
Just so you know the kit you have is a ALPINE motorsports turbo kit, the by powderlights on the sticker is a decal dave put on cause he welded the intercooler. But glad you like the kit.
I'm not saying the PL kit is a bad kit, its a fine kit. All I'm saying is you dont see Eric the owner of mcx on here telling you how he fixes others mfg's junk and patting himself on the back.
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NITROSKIDUDE
Well-known member
Ok i can agree with that, It seems on there web site the PIC of the intercooler stil says Alpine by Powderlight, Just thought they were one in the same.
I have a Boondocker 2860 kit that's been massaged a little bit. I run a 3" dump pipe out of the side panel which greatly reduced the amount of heat around the header and turbo (lower intake temps I would guess too). I put in the weights most guys are running them at 18-20 lbs of boost and I can't turn it up much over 16 or it'll hit the rev limiter. That being said, I'm also running low comp JE gas ported pistons and Carillos rods and an ex Yamaha Superbike mechanic cleaned up my head. I think as far as the Apex turbo kits go it all comes down to setup and maybe improving on a few little things the Kit manufacturer overlooked. They are all very good kits in the right hands. I'm really happy with my BD kit and there are a few guys in here that can attest to how it runs.
So if I had to do it all over again what would I do then? I've talked to just about every guy out there that makes kits for the Apex, and I've talked to just about everyone that's running each of them. For my dollar and the experience I've had with speaking to these guys on the phone, I'd only spend my money in one place. Paul Horschel and the Impulse Race Kit. PM zebiraross on here, I'm sure he'd be happy to let you know his experiences.
So if I had to do it all over again what would I do then? I've talked to just about every guy out there that makes kits for the Apex, and I've talked to just about everyone that's running each of them. For my dollar and the experience I've had with speaking to these guys on the phone, I'd only spend my money in one place. Paul Horschel and the Impulse Race Kit. PM zebiraross on here, I'm sure he'd be happy to let you know his experiences.
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Zeb's Impulse Vids
As a disclaimer, I might just be trying to talk you into this kit just because I really want one bad but only have the time/energy/funds to live vicariously through you.
As a disclaimer, I might just be trying to talk you into this kit just because I really want one bad but only have the time/energy/funds to live vicariously through you.
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NM
Well-known member
UMMMM. Paul Gibbs does not build turbo kits, but he does ride Alpine turbo kits.
I got second last year at Big Dawg racing an Apex with Alpine kit. I was only running 17 lbs boost and no NOS. A Impulse kit did beat me in the final by a ski length, and he was running over 22 lbs boost and a shot of NOS. If I had brought the right clutching, it wouldn't have even been a race.
I am not knocking anybodys kit, and they can all be made to work. Buy what you like and ride it.
The thing I don't understand, is everyone was ranting last fall about how great the Powderlites Nytro kit was, and there wasn't even any on the snow. Unfortunately perception becomes reality, and now reality is becoming reality...Just look at all the problems the PL kit is having now.
How many problem threads are there about the Alpine kits? And I know for a fact the Alpine guys are running way more power...I am one of them. I would bet there won't be any PL kits contending in the Big Iron, or will there????????????
i'm not worried about the Pl kits cause they are all with the nytro anyone with a powderlites apex having problems? i haven't heard nothing good about the powderlites t apex. Alpine just straight up scares me cause a guy i know his apine apex burnt down to nothing on the first ride, yes it was probably built wrong or a freak accident but its enough to scare me cause i can't take that risk.
Hobbes does your bd kit bog in deeps snow cause of filter location?
Hobbes does your bd kit bog in deeps snow cause of filter location?
could i easily make a bd kit work with a different box like pro logger, rb3, or the new BD box?
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NM
Well-known member
If you can't take the risk of fire, then maybe a turbo kit is not your thing at all. Every turbo kit is at more risk of fire.
BTW, the Alpine and PL Apex kits are almost identical.
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EZmoney
Well-known member
You can run what ever you want with any kit.A rb3 is not made for one kit.My buddy runs one with his kit the he made him self. I found the PL to work great and run clean that i got from Dean at Alpine with his mapping.Plugs in within a few minutes. So yes it tunes very easy. As far as fires go.. well NM is right they can all catch on fire and when i say all i mean stock two strokes as well. Sh!t happens.
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WesG
Well-known member
BD Apex kit
I have ran a BD apex kit for 3 seasons. 2860, 3" side exit, 20 lbs of boost 96 gr. supertips with a bwb primary spring, 14.5 mm rollers. 3-6k ft. Head shim/cam timing. My kit was an early kit so I don't know how much of this will apply. At first I used BD box (an old version not the new ada) and it was runable, but a pita had to adjust it too much for my liking. I use a pl box now and it has been completely perfect. No moisture issues, never missed a beat (knock on wood. lol). Change out the hose clamps with some higher quality ones, Use some decent hose for the intercooler to vac signal connections (Not sure of the name, but they are approx. 1/2"). Run the cc breather up and along the fuel tank under the plastic(if your motor is good, you will get no oil coming out and mine has not froze up if left an 1"or two under the plastic. Use clamps not those crimp connectors to hold all your oil hoses on. Heat shield the brakes and put lots of venting on that side. I built a heat shield for the brakes also. High temp brake fluid is a must. Before these changes to the brakes I lit mine on fire. Now no problem, wide open for pull after pull I just had to replace my headers expansion joint, but BD offers a fix for this I just did not want to take the time to ship it to them. All the newer headers are this new design. I would suggest using locking header bolts available from impulse. Wideband O2 is needed as well as a boost guage. You will need a boost controller of some sort. Tuning and clutching play into the LAG factor much more than perceived differences in the kits (front to side mount). The air intake will plug up in good snow. I moved the intake up and tilted it back abit to aid this. Still plugs off, but it is manageable. When you stop, cautiously wipe the excess snow off. Make sure your prefilter has no rips or it will let snow through and build ice on the metal filter cage. Boost leaks are a part of turbo life. Get a plummers plug for the 3" outlet and silicon hose w/ air fitting to pressure test the system. Glue the throttle bodies to the head. GET A NEW SKID. AND get used to burning race fuel. JMHO.
I have ran a BD apex kit for 3 seasons. 2860, 3" side exit, 20 lbs of boost 96 gr. supertips with a bwb primary spring, 14.5 mm rollers. 3-6k ft. Head shim/cam timing. My kit was an early kit so I don't know how much of this will apply. At first I used BD box (an old version not the new ada) and it was runable, but a pita had to adjust it too much for my liking. I use a pl box now and it has been completely perfect. No moisture issues, never missed a beat (knock on wood. lol). Change out the hose clamps with some higher quality ones, Use some decent hose for the intercooler to vac signal connections (Not sure of the name, but they are approx. 1/2"). Run the cc breather up and along the fuel tank under the plastic(if your motor is good, you will get no oil coming out and mine has not froze up if left an 1"or two under the plastic. Use clamps not those crimp connectors to hold all your oil hoses on. Heat shield the brakes and put lots of venting on that side. I built a heat shield for the brakes also. High temp brake fluid is a must. Before these changes to the brakes I lit mine on fire. Now no problem, wide open for pull after pull
I just had to replace my headers expansion joint, but BD offers a fix for this I just did not want to take the time to ship it to them. All the newer headers are this new design. I would suggest using locking header bolts available from impulse. Wideband O2 is needed as well as a boost guage. You will need a boost controller of some sort. Tuning and clutching play into the LAG factor much more than perceived differences in the kits (front to side mount). The air intake will plug up in good snow. I moved the intake up and tilted it back abit to aid this. Still plugs off, but it is manageable. When you stop, cautiously wipe the excess snow off. Make sure your prefilter has no rips or it will let snow through and build ice on the metal filter cage. Boost leaks are a part of turbo life. Get a plummers plug for the 3" outlet and silicon hose w/ air fitting to pressure test the system. Glue the throttle bodies to the head. GET A NEW SKID. AND get used to burning race fuel. JMHO.
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pylon
Well-known member
i talked to a guy who had a bd apex that was sent to dave to get tuned with an rb3 . great set up for the guy . ride and go . the guy didnt really know how to tune the sled with the BD box , so the RB3 was perfect for him ... untill he found out that the built motor he had in his apex was pretty much useless now lol . he could only run 14 pounds of boost with a wicked motor due to the rb3. so i would decide what you would like to run for boost before spending youre cash .
i got got the skid and everything sled is pretty much a turbo ready killer. Also got access to free c16 but thats a secret. I think i'll go with bd kit for now and when i'm done college go with impulse on whatever yamaha comes out with.
thanks for yer help
spenser
pylon why did the rb3 only limit him to 14 psi?
thanks for yer help
spenser
pylon why did the rb3 only limit him to 14 psi?
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So will the RB3 work with 18-20# of boost on a Alpine kit or not???OR should we be stickin too the old box.
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Duke
Well-known member
You can on the Apex, not with stock fuel pressure tho. Bigger injectors would be the ideal way to go. I have ran up to 22 #'s boost on about 75/25 C-12. Prefer to run 18#'s and run closer to 50/50 race/premium mix.
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Obtain higher fuel pressure with adjustable regulator or fuel pump?I think I have high flow regulator already.
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