Review: GTM Stage 2 Supercharger (G37)

Staples · 06-27-2012, 01:31 AM

First off, I'd like to thank Frank and Suzanne Hill at Hill's Garage in Baltimore Maryland. His mechanical skills are second to none and I have never seen someone so precise, skillful, and knowledgeable about cars the way he is. He really goes out of his way to make sure the customer is always happy with the outcome. It doesn't matter if you're getting an oil change, or looking to shred tires with forced induction, he'll take care of you. I have gone to multiple shops in the last 4 years of me owning my G37, but I have been going to Hill's for the last 3. At this point, I have spoiled myself and don't let anyone else touch my car because both Frank and Suzanne care. It's hard to find exceptional customer service nowadays, but I've been fortunate enough to find it.

Their tuner, Frank Smith is one of the best in the business. He has a huge reputation in the Dodge Viper, Porsche, and other extremely high horsepower platforms. Now he's completely annihilating the Nissan / Infiniti, making great numbers! Their tunes are guaranteed, without questions. The amount of power he has been able to extract from the VQ motor is crazy to say the least.

Lastly, special thanks goes out to Sam @ GTM. He's always willing to help out and answer any questions I have / had about the build. If anyone has ever talked to him over the phone, you can vouch, he really does take his time in explaining to the customer, even if you didn't buy it from him. Who else can you honestly say goes out of their way to help someone even if it's not their product? Sam, you have my business now and in the future! :JAMIN:

Now, on to the build...

Infinti G37s (6MT) 510whp / 370ft-lbs on 93 Octane 10.5 - 11 psi

Parts:

GTM Stage 2 Supercharger Turn-Key (custom tune)
19 Row Oil Cooler w/ ThermoStatic Plate
HKS Spark Plugs
JWT Clutch / Stock Flywheel
CNT Resonated Test Pipes
Invidia Gemini Exhaust
DynoTune Boost / Air Fuel Digital Square Gauge
Z1 Motorsports Aluminum Driveshaft
TWM Performance Short Throw Shifter

I was going back and forth trying to decide which route I wanted to go. After many phone calls to Sam, we both decided the Stage 2 Supercharger kit was the best option for me. I wanted something "stealthy" and quiet. If someone drove next to me, I didn't want the car to scream "I HAVE 500WHP!" I hit the nail on the head! Aside from the TurboSmart blow off valve venting to atmosphere when you hit boost, you really can't tell the cars supercharged, just the way I like it. You hear a very mild whistling noise, nothing like the Vortech kits I've heard in the past. This makes daily driving very enjoyable and professional. If need be, you can turn the windows up and you won't really even notice the charger. This is great if you're trying to throw someone off guard when you mash the gas pedal, or if you're taking your grandmother to bingo.

I didn't know what to expect when driving the car. Everyone told me, "It's like driving a stock car, but with a lot more power." At first, I didn't understand what that meant because how can you slap 200hp+ onto a car and it drives like stock? Well this is where it really surprised me. The car is very tame under normal load, which means ANYONE can drive this car, but when you start laying into throttle, you better hang onto your @$$ because the charger is yelling at you to give it more. It's crazy has linear the power comes on and throws you into the seat without any give. In my eyes, the ultimate sleeper.

I thought I was going to have issues with traction because having that type of power is worthless if you can't hook it. To my surprise with 285s in the rear I can hook 2nd gear without a problem. 1st gear is a nice show-off gear, but if you really want to hook and haul, 2nd feels great, 3rd even better. The amount of profanity that came out of my mouth as well as friend's, could have reenacted scarface 3 times. It was that crazy at wide open throttle.

Videos:

I had to take them with my Android phone, sorry about the shakiness. I guess you could say I was a little excited. :P

I'll be working on driving videos over the next couple weeks... stay tuned. Thanks!

GUTCH · 06-27-2012, 02:03 AM

Would I be correct in saying this was the tuner kit and not the turn key kit?

Staples · 06-27-2012, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUTCH

Would I be correct in saying this was the tuner kit and not the turn key kit?

Actually it was the turn-key, but with a custom tune.

fuct · 06-27-2012, 09:49 AM

Sweet!!!

JDMFairlady21 · 06-27-2012, 10:03 AM

nice turnout. def going to enjoy the car much more now. the s/c setup is super smooth. Hill's is def a great shop and the couple are really really nice

Nixlimited · 06-27-2012, 11:50 AM

Congrats on the great numbers! What's the story on the drive-shaft?

Mike@GTM · 06-27-2012, 12:45 PM

Looking great! I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it!

Dembflyr · 06-27-2012, 12:49 PM

Great review! +1 Rep!

Awesome numbers too!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixlimited

What's the story on the drive-shaft?

I'm curious too.

Staples · 06-27-2012, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the love guys! The stock driveshaft on the G37 is a two piece steel design. The 370 has a 1 piece carbon fiber from the manufacture. It was to free up some rotational mass and get more power to the wheels. G37's stock shaft is 32lbs.... this brings it down to half that weight when using aluminum. Something the Z doesn't need.

Nixlimited · 06-27-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staples

Thanks for the love guys! The stock driveshaft on the G37 is a two piece steel design. The 370 has a 1 piece carbon fiber from the manufacture. It was to free up some rotational mass and get more power to the wheels. G37's stock shaft is 32lbs.... this brings it down to half that weight when using aluminum. Something the Z doesn't need.

Ah, gotcha. I mistakenly assumed that the G37s would have this same part.

b1adesofcha0s · 06-27-2012, 02:06 PM

Nice numbers!

Good to hear about the quality of work at Hill's Garage. I'm planning on having my car UpRev tuned there later this year.

Staples · 06-27-2012, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

Nice numbers!

Good to hear about the quality of work at Hill's Garage. I'm planning on having my car UpRev tuned there later this year.

Do it... they've been able to squeeze really good numbers out of these motors.

Last month an '09 370 automatic with long tube headers, catback, and intake made 20whp from just the tune.

b1adesofcha0s · 06-27-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staples

Do it... they've been able to squeeze really good numbers out of these motors.

Last month an '09 370 automatic with long tube headers, catback, and intake made 20whp from just the tune.

Wow that's awesome! My car's the same if you just replace the headers with HFCs.

Staples · 06-28-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1adesofcha0s

Wow that's awesome! My car's the same if you just replace the headers with HFCs.

You should make great numbers, over 300whp easily. The power differences between high flow cats and test pipes are minimal when you're N/A.

Staples · 06-29-2012, 10:52 PM

Next on the agenda: Methanol and a little more timing.

06-27-2012, 01:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Staples Track Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 546 Drives: '08 Infiniti G37s Rep Power: 16	Review: GTM Stage 2 Supercharger (G37) First off, I'd like to thank Frank and Suzanne Hill at Hill's Garage in Baltimore Maryland. His mechanical skills are second to none and I have never seen someone so precise, skillful, and knowledgeable about cars the way he is. He really goes out of his way to make sure the customer is always happy with the outcome. It doesn't matter if you're getting an oil change, or looking to shred tires with forced induction, he'll take care of you. I have gone to multiple shops in the last 4 years of me owning my G37, but I have been going to Hill's for the last 3. At this point, I have spoiled myself and don't let anyone else touch my car because both Frank and Suzanne care. It's hard to find exceptional customer service nowadays, but I've been fortunate enough to find it. Their tuner, Frank Smith is one of the best in the business. He has a huge reputation in the Dodge Viper, Porsche, and other extremely high horsepower platforms. Now he's completely annihilating the Nissan / Infiniti, making great numbers! Their tunes are guaranteed, without questions. The amount of power he has been able to extract from the VQ motor is crazy to say the least. Lastly, special thanks goes out to Sam @ GTM. He's always willing to help out and answer any questions I have / had about the build. If anyone has ever talked to him over the phone, you can vouch, he really does take his time in explaining to the customer, even if you didn't buy it from him. Who else can you honestly say goes out of their way to help someone even if it's not their product? Sam, you have my business now and in the future! :JAMIN: Now, on to the build... Infinti G37s (6MT) 510whp / 370ft-lbs on 93 Octane 10.5 - 11 psi Parts: GTM Stage 2 Supercharger Turn-Key (custom tune) 19 Row Oil Cooler w/ ThermoStatic Plate HKS Spark Plugs JWT Clutch / Stock Flywheel CNT Resonated Test Pipes Invidia Gemini Exhaust DynoTune Boost / Air Fuel Digital Square Gauge Z1 Motorsports Aluminum Driveshaft TWM Performance Short Throw Shifter I was going back and forth trying to decide which route I wanted to go. After many phone calls to Sam, we both decided the Stage 2 Supercharger kit was the best option for me. I wanted something "stealthy" and quiet. If someone drove next to me, I didn't want the car to scream "I HAVE 500WHP!" I hit the nail on the head! Aside from the TurboSmart blow off valve venting to atmosphere when you hit boost, you really can't tell the cars supercharged, just the way I like it. You hear a very mild whistling noise, nothing like the Vortech kits I've heard in the past. This makes daily driving very enjoyable and professional. If need be, you can turn the windows up and you won't really even notice the charger. This is great if you're trying to throw someone off guard when you mash the gas pedal, or if you're taking your grandmother to bingo. I didn't know what to expect when driving the car. Everyone told me, "It's like driving a stock car, but with a lot more power." At first, I didn't understand what that meant because how can you slap 200hp+ onto a car and it drives like stock? Well this is where it really surprised me. The car is very tame under normal load, which means ANYONE can drive this car, but when you start laying into throttle, you better hang onto your @$$ because the charger is yelling at you to give it more. It's crazy has linear the power comes on and throws you into the seat without any give. In my eyes, the ultimate sleeper. I thought I was going to have issues with traction because having that type of power is worthless if you can't hook it. To my surprise with 285s in the rear I can hook 2nd gear without a problem. 1st gear is a nice show-off gear, but if you really want to hook and haul, 2nd feels great, 3rd even better. The amount of profanity that came out of my mouth as well as friend's, could have reenacted scarface 3 times. It was that crazy at wide open throttle. Videos: I had to take them with my Android phone, sorry about the shakiness. I guess you could say I was a little excited. :P I'll be working on driving videos over the next couple weeks... stay tuned. Thanks! __________________ '08 Infiniti G37s - Forced Induction Fed Last edited by Staples; 06-27-2012 at 02:05 AM.

06-27-2012, 10:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
JDMFairlady21 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: LI, NY Posts: 348 Drives: 03 Z33 TT Redline Rep Power: 16	nice turnout. def going to enjoy the car much more now. the s/c setup is super smooth. Hill's is def a great shop and the couple are really really nice __________________ [

06-27-2012, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nixlimited A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,235 Drives: 15 GT-R / 11 Prius Rep Power: 26	Congrats on the great numbers! What's the story on the drive-shaft? __________________ Car Sold! Pleasure being a part of the Z community. New ride: 2015 GT-R - 647 WHP / 641 WTQ (e85) & 543 WHP / 519 WTQ (91)

06-27-2012, 01:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Staples Track Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 546 Drives: '08 Infiniti G37s Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the love guys! The stock driveshaft on the G37 is a two piece steel design. The 370 has a 1 piece carbon fiber from the manufacture. It was to free up some rotational mass and get more power to the wheels. G37's stock shaft is 32lbs.... this brings it down to half that weight when using aluminum. Something the Z doesn't need. __________________ '08 Infiniti G37s - Forced Induction Fed

06-27-2012, 02:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
b1adesofcha0s A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: MD Posts: 40,963 Drives: HypeTrain Choo Choo! Rep Power: 141	Nice numbers! Good to hear about the quality of work at Hill's Garage. I'm planning on having my car UpRev tuned there later this year. __________________ Project: b1adeZmobile (2009 370Z) \| Uprev Tune by AAM Competition \| Berk Exhaust Project: b1adeZmobile 2.0 (2014 C7 Z51) \| Corsa Xtreme Exhaust

06-27-2012, 02:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
GUTCH Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 134 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Rep Power: 15	Would I be correct in saying this was the tuner kit and not the turn key kit?

06-27-2012, 09:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
fuct A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sugar Land Posts: 3,692 Drives: 97' Ranger :) Rep Power: 24	Sweet!!!

06-27-2012, 12:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mike@GTM Not an active Vendor. DO NOT BUY Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 391 Drives: '13 Hot Lava FR-S Rep Power: 17	Looking great! I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying it!

06-29-2012, 10:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
Staples Track Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 546 Drives: '08 Infiniti G37s Rep Power: 16	Next on the agenda: Methanol and a little more timing. __________________ '08 Infiniti G37s - Forced Induction Fed

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
GTM Supercharger Stage 1 w/ F.I. LTH	theDreamer	Forced Induction	140	03-16-2013 05:50 PM
[FOR SALE] GTM Stage II 600hp Supercharger Kit	boraturbo	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	6	10-05-2012 02:11 AM
[FOR SALE] Used Gtm stage 1 supercharger kit	Jamaica	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	58	06-20-2012 10:12 PM