few questions before I purchase my KB

flyboy86 · Feb 26, 2007

I'll be ordering a KB in about two weeks. I'm trying to figure out all the little extra things I'll need, to make the install go smothly.

I have the Autometer Sport Comp II boost/vac gauge picked out, will that work? Will I need to buy anything else to make it work? I'm curious where the gauge hooks up, and how difficult it is to run the wires up to my A pillar.

The KB kit looks like they have pretty much everything you need, but I know thats rarely the case with installs like that. Are there any other things I should do before I bolt that sucker on? Will I need any specialty tools?

Also, how long will it will it take me to install it, with the help of a friend who's pretty good with cars? I'm hoping I can do it in a weekend. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

SaleenGT2001 · Feb 26, 2007

install should take about one full day. the boost gauge hooks into a vacume line. and the wiring isnt hard either.

LB0193 · Feb 26, 2007

I would really consider not getting the KB, unless you go with the 2.6 because if you ever want more boost and to forge the engine the 2.1 is not going to give u the performance you are looking for.....get a paxton or a vortech they have room to grow with your combos

blacksheep-1 · Feb 26, 2007

I run a KB, I would HIGHLY recomend buying it from a company like www.jmschip.com KB didn't program my chip and I had all sorts of problems. JMS stood by KB's work and programmed the chip for me. When I couldn't get hold of KB and their infamous "we received your e-mail and we'll get back in 48-72 hours" e-mails, JMS answerred the phone even on Saturdays.
Carve this into your forehead grasshopper:
BUY THE TUNER KIT FROM KB AND HAVE JMS OR A LOCAL TUNER PROVIDE THE TUNE AND INJECTORS, MAF, ETC.
Because unless you're dating his daughter and live next door to the shop, customer service will suck.

flyboy86 · Feb 26, 2007

LB0193 said:
I would really consider not getting the KB, unless you go with the 2.6 because if you ever want more boost and to forge the engine the 2.1 is not going to give u the performance you are looking for.....get a paxton or a vortech they have room to grow with your combos

Thanks for your advice, but I'm failry decided on the 2.1 w/ the 9psi pulley and intercooler. I want a nice fast street car that can beat LS1s and evos, but I probably won't be taking it to the strip. The way I figured it, if I want to upgrade in the future, I'd get a forged bottom end and crank up the boost a bit. Maybe I'll do that when I make more than measley cadet pay.

SaleenGT2001 · Feb 26, 2007

you wont be dissappointed with it on the street. my buddys KB GT is more fun on the street than my Novi 2k (for a while at least)

02LaserRed2V · Feb 26, 2007

LB0193 said:
I would really consider not getting the KB, unless you go with the 2.6 because if you ever want more boost and to forge the engine the 2.1 is not going to give u the performance you are looking for.....get a paxton or a vortech they have room to grow with your combos

Keep in mind, KB won't sell the 2.6L to anyone unless they have a built motor.

Gearbanger 101 · Feb 27, 2007

LB0193 said:
I would really consider not getting the KB, unless you go with the 2.6 because if you ever want more boost and to forge the engine the 2.1 is not going to give u the performance you are looking for.....get a paxton or a vortech they have room to grow with your combos

Well I guess that all depends on what kind of performance he's looking for. With a full bolt on car, the 2.1L has the capacity to take him to 450-475rwhp on pump gas with little fuss. Not only is that far beyond what the stock bottom end is going to take, but it's as much or more than 90% of the street blown cars are making now a days. Both the Vortech and the Paxton blowers are going to need similar mods to make that kind of power and even with their cooler discharge temps, a forged bottom end is going to be a necessity with them as well. Only when really pushing the blowers are the S-Trim and Novi 2000 (I presume you were referring to) really going to show any benefit power wise. At which point you’re build will need to have gone far beyond what your “average” owner is sporting

Most people just haven't got a clue as to what it takes to "really" make power. A big blower is only one small piece of the puzzle and by the time most people really figure out what else is needed and the cost involved in attaining their original goals, you'd be surprised how many decide it’s too far over their head/wallet and quickly become very comfortable with the power they’re making at the stock bottom end stage.

96SCstang · Feb 27, 2007

bingo...hit the nail right on the head there buddy. Only when you get to about 500rwhp will the 2.1 stop performing as well as the centri. good luck with your build. shouldn't take you too long. you will crap your pants when you first start it up and your car howls like a ravid dog. :SNSign:

AmBo · Feb 27, 2007

i don't think you'll buy it. prove us wrong. is this just another "I'm buying a KB and I'm new to the boards"? We know we've all been there! Hell, even I have lol

KB > * of course! GL with it if you do buy it.

Word of wisdom:

with your 8" rear tires, you'll have severe traction issues. 10.5" or bigger with agressive tires at LEAST.

If you see snow, expect to see a pole eventually as you do see boost at 2,000rpms

if you are geared, 3.55 or 3.73s should do nicely. 4.10s and...well ask Laser about his lol

KB install is not as "easy" as everyone makes it out to be. Some cutting and ish is needed. Vortech install can be done by a newb mechanic (hell, even I pulled it off)

If you're good to go with all the above, then enjoy the HELL out of the KB. It's a street BEAST!

sgarlic · Feb 27, 2007

Since only one person even attempted to answer your original question, here are my thoughts.

You shouldn't need any "huge" specialty tools except a fuel line disconnect tool, some petroleum jelly to lubricate the o-rings on the new injectors, a few different varieties of sockets/extensions, wrenches, a scribe, magnet, and random wiring type tools, like wire crimpers, cutters, etc. I've heard the heat exchanger comes with some pretty crappy screws to mount it, so I'd consider getting some higher quality nuts/bolts to mount this with.

Also, if you don't already have one, now is the time to get a torque wrench.

flyboy86 · Feb 27, 2007

AmBo said:
i don't think you'll buy it. prove us wrong. is this just another "I'm buying a KB and I'm new to the boards"? We know we've all been there! Hell, even I have lol

Well, I ordered the boost gauge yesterday, so if I don't go through with it, I'll have that just laying around. I'm getting $30k on march 7th, and I plan on calling KB that afternoon

I'm also planning on upgrading wheels soon. Right now, I'm thinking black FR500s would look sick on my car. I can't decide between 17x10.5s for the rear, or 18x10s. I'm thinking the bigger diameter will help tame a bit of the torque the KB will make.

Thanks for your help guys. I hope I can pull this off. Me and my buddy, (parchisi, from 94-95) are planning a series of big weekends. First, we're gonna install the procharger on his built 408, then the KB on mine. Should be a blast!

jivepepper · Feb 27, 2007

02LaserRed2V said:
Keep in mind, KB won't sell the 2.6L to anyone unless they have a built motor.

What will KB do come inspect your car?

02LaserRed2V · Feb 27, 2007

AmBo said:
if you are geared, 3.55 or 3.73s should do nicely. 4.10s and...well ask Laser about his lol

If you like hitting the rev limiter before the end of the 1/4 then 4.10s will do!

jivepepper said:
What will KB do come inspect your car?

*shrug* Ask them, not me. Just stating their policy.

There are some who manage to get their hands on one for their stock motor GT. But if it was that easy I'd imagine we'd see a lot more ppl running KB 2.2 or 2.6Ls on their stock 2Vs.

jimfitzgerald · Feb 27, 2007

You might want to consider buying a slightly used 2.2 KB from Modular Powerhouse. They have several customers upgrading to the 2.6 KB and have a few for sale. You can get a slightly used blower with all the other parts brand new for a good price.

flyboy86 · Feb 27, 2007

jimfitzgerald said:
You might want to consider buying a slightly used 2.2 KB from Modular Powerhouse. They have several customers upgrading to the 2.6 KB and have a few for sale. You can get a slightly used blower with all the other parts brand new for a good price.

I considered that for a little while, but dismissed the idea. I could maybe save a little money, but I'm thinkin it would be a headache to try to piece toghether everything I need. The ease and simplicity of buying the entire kit from KB appeals to me.

jimfitzgerald · Feb 27, 2007

No, that's not the case at all. The new larger KB arrives at MPH with all the parts and pieces. They remove the blower from the box and install it on the car. They take the used blower off the car and put it in the box with all the other new parts. Several of us have upgraded.

flyboy86 · Feb 27, 2007

jimfitzgerald said:
No, that's not the case at all. The new larger KB arrives at MPH with all the parts and pieces. They remove the blower from the box and install it on the car. They take the used blower off the car and put it in the box with all the other new parts. Several of us have upgraded.

How much would this save me?

blacksheep-1 · Feb 27, 2007

Well, yeah, I really didn't answer your question. I run aconservative 2.1 @ 6psi. The RWHP is fairly flat to 6500 and is 342. Nothing awesome, but with the 3.27 (soon to be 3.55s) and the 5 speed it got 23 mpg on a 600 mile round trip through the smokie mountains and back to florida. The worst it got was 20mpg.
The KB that I received, had very detailed instructions along with the boost a pump. I'm a little anal retentive so I soldered all the wires instead of crimping them. Except for getting the johnson award on the chip they sent me, the install was not complicated at all, but, to get it right you need to take your time. It took about 12hours, not counting straightening out KB's chip debacle. My car doesn't have an intercooler, so I can't speak to that end of it. The instructions were very complete and detailed. Some tools that you may not have are included in the kit. All of which makes me wonder why their customer service sucks so bad.

jimfitzgerald · Feb 27, 2007

flyboy86 said:
How much would this save me?

I don't know. You'll have to go to the MPH website and see what they have for sale. Although MPH may list them, it's the customers who are selling them. I sold my 2.2 KB for $4,000.

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