RE: Steve Belt - Supercharged

["Belt, Stephen D" <stephen.d.belt@intel.com>]

> AMS would be the easiest bolt on/cost effective one.  It retails for @
3700.
> EIP makes a bolt on turbo for about 5200 bucks, stock compresion ratio and
no
> oil cooler.  However it does still have an intercooler.  Turbos are said
to
> bolt up way easier than the SC.  BTW, the link is http://www.eiptuning.com

Thanks.  The EIP Turbo is the link I had misplaced.  

I had discussed the turbo vs. SC choice with a friend of mine at length, 
before I bought my car.  We generally concluded that a SC would fit my 
driving style better, because what I want is something that's fun to drive 
around town.  I don't race, autocross, drag, or any of that.  I just like 
a car that responds well, when asked to.  If I were interested in the best 
possible 1/4 mile times, then a turbo would certainly be my choice.  
(Note:  SC's generally have better low end torque and throttle response,
turbo's generally have the best top end horsepower.)

However, I now have some doubt about our conclusions, especially since when 
we discussed the choice, I didn't know what I was buying.  I was pretty sure

it would be a high revving, 4 cyclindar engine, that had poor low end
torque.  
The SC would overcome the low end torque problem better than a turbo would, 
fitting my intended usage the best. 

However, the VR6's power curve is a full 1000 rpm lower than I was
expecting,
which makes me think a turbo wouldn't be such a big compromise.  So, as you
can expect the decision is now wide open.  It may come down to cost/hp,
where
I give up some total power, but save $2000.

Quite honestly, the ease or difficulty of the install is not an issue.  In 
fact, the harder the better.  I got this car as a project car, so if it
takes 
a bit longer to get the project done, that's fine.

Steve Belt -- Scotts, AZ
1998 VW Jetta GLX