I am still on the edge on whether to get the Hahn Stage 1 Kit for my 2003 Ecotec 2.2L Cavalier. Those of you who have a Hahn for the cavi or just any turbo in general for the cavi, how do you like it and are you glad you spent that much money on it? I just don't want to spend all this money to find out it was a big waste and was a non so cheap thrill? My cavalier and yours can only do 120 I think and not much more than that, once 120 hits you are done and can't go any faster, so what is the point in having boost? That is what I had always thought, correct me if I am wrong. Of course I wouldn't be doing that speed on roads but I'm saying on a track or whatever? Please help me with my cry on whether to get boost or not. I am settled on the Hahn kit though because it is a very nice system and I have heard great things.
"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"
Boost doesn't up your top speed (which is 109), It helps you get there faster.
Our cars aren't designed to go that fast. You might break it in the 1/4 if you run enough power, but other than that, you will never see 109 on a track.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Sunday, October 25, 2009 7:49 PM
I turbo'd mine and I love it. I plan on going with a larger turbo and such in the future. It seriously is addictive. And like what Mike said, putting a turbo on your car doesnt control your top speed, the governor does that. Also, dont bother asking about how to get that off. If you're doing a serious engine mod, like a turbo, you should alread know how to take care of the limiter.
But yes, its worth....but get the stage 2 hahn kit. You'll want and need an intercooler and such.
"You can only feed them semen for so long before their legs fall off."
i have about 2500 bucks in my custom turbo setup on my 05' sunfire. id say it was definitely worth spending the time and money.
i told you the stage 1 was non intercooled, mine is sitting here, and I told you what I told you
LE61T PTE6262 Powered 
To be perfectly honest, just leave your car the way it is. I have thrown tons of money into my car, and if I could get it back I would. I really enjoy beating on my car now that it's turbo'd, and it is impressively quick for a car that looks stock. But at the end of the day, it's more headache and cost than its worth.
Take my advice as someone who's been down that road before.
" To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous. "
He makes a good point...while the "do-it-yourself" approach can be fun and interesting for some, it can be a royal pain in the butt for others. We will continue to make our systems more affordable in the near future, in a variety of ways. No need to "re-invent the wheel" when we've got such a wonderfully trouble-free wheel, expert-developed and ready to rock! Just bolt it on and GO.
Bill Hahn Jr.
Hahn RaceCraft
World's Quickest and Fastest Street J-Bodies
Turbocharging GM FWD's since 1988
www.turbosystem.com
go with the stage 2 or higher , and get the port fueler or dont do it at all
I've been running a Hahn Stg II kit @ 10psi with HP Tuners for the past 3 years, 30k miles with no problems. My motor , trans, clutch is all stock.
In my opinion Hahn is the way to go, no fuss, bolt it on and away you go.
our cars can go faster than 120 fine.. just make sure your tires can..
it might be worth it to one person but not to another. i agree with dave, it was fun at first, but now it is a headache..
12.33 @ 111.67 mph [Oct 2009]
Dyno'd on 08/02/09 - Mustang Dyno:
327.6 WHP 333.6 WTQ [10.1 AFR]
Just remember, You can always take an aspirin for a headache! Have fun with it..
i'd buy boost again......but i'd start with buying a faster car in the beginning....
It's all about the money on how fast you want a car to be.
Bill Hahn Jr. wrote:He makes a good point...while the "do-it-yourself" approach can be fun and interesting for some, it can be a royal pain in the butt for others. We will continue to make our systems more affordable in the near future, in a variety of ways. No need to "re-invent the wheel" when we've got such a wonderfully trouble-free wheel, expert-developed and ready to rock! Just bolt it on and GO.
Bill are you in the Air Force now? A member on here is also an airman and heard you were local.
ECOtec DOHC
Justin Smith wrote: My cavalier and yours can only do 120 I think and not much more than that, once 120 hits you are done and can't go any faster, so what is the point in having boost?
My Sunfire can go a verified 140 miles per hour with a little room to spare.....
Currently #4 in Ecotec Forced Induction horsepower ratings. 505.8 WHP 414WTQ!!!
Currently 3rd quickest Ecotec on the .org - 10.949 @ 131.50 MPH!!!
Paul Chavez wrote:Bill Hahn Jr. wrote:He makes a good point...while the "do-it-yourself" approach can be fun and interesting for some, it can be a royal pain in the butt for others. We will continue to make our systems more affordable in the near future, in a variety of ways. No need to "re-invent the wheel" when we've got such a wonderfully trouble-free wheel, expert-developed and ready to rock! Just bolt it on and GO.
Bill are you in the Air Force now? A member on here is also an airman and heard you were local.
You must be thinking of my son, Adam. He is indeed an Airman now!
Bill Hahn Jr.
Hahn RaceCraft
World's Quickest and Fastest Street J-Bodies
Turbocharging GM FWD's since 1988
www.turbosystem.com
^^ Oh lol i thought he was Bill Jr. oops.
ECOtec DOHC
From my experiences:
Some people have NO trouble boosting their cars and driving them every day. Still others run into stupid issues constantly and it's a headache with every step.
If you have another car for your daily driver, I say go for it. If this is your only vehicle, though, I'd advise you to be cautious. If you really want boost but turbo is scaring you a little, take a serious look at nitrous. MUCH cheaper and much easier to use/install. No tune required and it's only going to put "wear and tear" on your motor when you decide to spray.
I ran a 60-shot dry NOS kit on my Sunfire for around 2 years until I turbo'd. Nitrous burnouts, spraying in low gears...everything held up great and the pistons were clean when I tore the motor down later on.
Paul Chavez wrote:^^ Oh lol i thought he was Bill Jr. oops.
It's cool. Happens all the time!
Fact is, we named him Adam rather than Bill the Third for simplicity...we figured the world wasn't big enough for THREE BIll Hahns!
It's much less confusing this way.
Bill Hahn Jr.
Hahn RaceCraft
World's Quickest and Fastest Street J-Bodies
Turbocharging GM FWD's since 1988
www.turbosystem.com
pardon my double post. oosp
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Friday, October 30, 2009 12:37 PM
Bill Hahn Jr.
Hahn RaceCraft
World's Quickest and Fastest Street J-Bodies
Turbocharging GM FWD's since 1988
www.turbosystem.com
[quote=97cavie24ls(™)]there is a stage 5 hahn kit with the port fueler and intake -
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=23&i=74221&t=74221
Thank Eric for pimping my kit. It's a fantastic deal on a hugely reliable setup. You can't find another kit for sale right now that will match this in completeness, reliability, and full on function. Sans tapping the oil pan this kit is bolt on. Comes with the drill bit, tap, modified throttle body and fuel rail.
Boost was never a headache for me in the 4 years I had it. Im sure it wont be next time either.
208whp 239wtq
13.7 @ 102mph 2.19 60'
But that's what you happen when you research and learn.
FstCavZ24 wrote:But that's what you happen when you research and learn.
x10000000000000
if you know what is needed, and do it right THE FIRST TIME an everyday driver can be boosted with no problems.
people who take shortcuts, or cheap out on critical components (charge pipes, couplers, and clamps are the top 3 items I see that get the corners cut on) DIY turbo charged cars would be a lot more reliable.
the other critical point of interest... TUNE TUNE TUNE TUNE. Street tuning is decent, but NEVER as good as dyno time at a reputable shop.
