Turbo 101:
So the life long question of "What's better Single or Twins". Simple answer... both. It all depends on what you’re looking to use the turbo for. Are you strictly daily driving? Do you autocross, time-attack, drag race? You have to think about what you want to use your car for.
One of the easiest ways to explain the difference between the two is...
Twins - Gives you good low-end power and great mid-range, but lacks in the top-end. This is ideal for auto-crossing and time-attack. Twins will give you better response from the dig, and exiting corners. You have really good response in the low-mid range rpm's.
Single - Lacks in the lower rpm range but is great in the mid-range and top-end. This is the "ideal" setup for drag racing where your rpm's are mainly in the mid to upper range. The term “turbo-lag” is the time it tacks for the turbo to see boost. The bigger turbo you have the more lag you will get.
Singles are sometimes preferred for daily driving. For the fact that when you cruising at low-rpm's; your car is actually seeing vacuum rather then boost. This helps with the longevity of the motor. Others prefer twins for daily driving because you have more "useable" power when cruising around town. Though with Twins, your motor will see boost more often then a single.
Single Turbo Kits:
Turbonetics: The Turbonetics single turbo kit is probably the most common turbo kit for the 350Z. They are relatively inexpensive, and you can make 400whp with them on the stock motor. They make an ease of install with an ECU reflash that is included, offer catted and non-catted version for all you emissions guys, and is relatively easy to install.
Some of the things you see some people run into is warranty parts. Turbonetics has great customer service, which is a very good selling point, and allows for a simple fix when it comes to warranty parts. Another thing you see people run into is AIT; or Air Intake Temps. Turbonetics, because of the way the intercooler piping is design, runs higher air-intake temps then most. This could lead to detonation and/or heat-soak. With higher temps, you have to tune more conservatively to prevent future damage to the motor.
With a proper kit, and the right supporting mods, people have made up to 500whp with the Turbonetics kits.
Fastest Current 1/4 mile time with a Turbonetics Kit: 11.036@122.24mph 1.612 60ft
APS Single Turbo: The APS Single Turbo is another good choice for single turbo. The kit has been known to make over 400+whp with not many supporting mods. The quality of this kit is "better" (IMHO) then the turbonetics. The APS comes with better fuel components then the Turbonetics kit, and a better fuel management.
Some of the things you see some people run into is the turbo. Some forum member's have run into problem's with the cartridge that is in the APS turbo's, and often needs to be replaced. Most people usually end-up paying out-of-pocket to make these repairs.
With a proper kit, and the right supporting mods, people have made 550+whp with the APS Single Turbo Kits.
Fastest Current 1/4 mile time with a APS Single Turbo Kit: N/A
Powerlab GT35R Kit: The Powerlab GT35R Single Turbo Kit is the most "complete" kit out there for the 350Z. It comes with the largest intercooler, the largest fuel injectors (600cc), and comes standard with a Turbo XS UTEC. This kit, with the right supporting mods, has made 600+whp. It is easilt upgradeable to a GT37R capable of making over 700+whp.
The downside is its the most expensive single turbo kit for the 350Z, and you have to give-up your windshield washer fluid resevior to install it. The kit is currently available for only 03-05 6MT 350Z's, but the 06+ and 5AT kits will be available soon. There isn't a lot of feedback yet for this kit, because it is still fairly new.
With a proper kit, and the right supporting mods, people have made 600+whp with the Powerlab GT35R Single Turbo Kit.
Fastest Current 1/4 mile time with a Powerlab Single Turbo Kit: 11.000@129.20mph 1.579 60ft
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