staying_tuned
Well-known member
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- #1
Hey folks, I'm wrapping up the install on my 23' XLT (build thread) and wanted to post a few pics and notes on the kit & install process. The base @beefcake kit with options included the following:
Core Beefcake Kit
- V3 SI based tuner kit from Vortech
- ID 1050x Injectors
- VMP Pump Voltage Booster w/ PNP Wiring Harness
- SCT X4
- Tuning: Opted for 5 Star (Josh @ 5 Star tuned Beefcake's 22' Vortech F150)
Selected Kit Options
- Satin Finish
- Maxflow BOV
- Brisk XER10S Plugs (Not needed yet but grabbed them so I have them down the road)
Additional
- Green Filter (drop-in replacement)
- 3.5 EcoBoost Map Sensor (more on that below)
I called Terry a few days before X-Mas to inquire about the kit. After talking for quite some time I placed my order. I had everything with the exception of the satin Vortech kit itself within a week. I received the Vortech kit about 2.5 weeks later directly from Vortech.
All parts were bagged, tagged with hand-written QC checks & sign-off. The Vortech parts were bagged by category which correlate to phases of the installation for the most part which helped tremendously. Everything coming from Beefcake racing directly was packaged with great care and as mentioned, arrived lighting fast. The powder coating is flawless. The brackets, tubing and head unit are all beautiful. Nothing felt cheap or rushed. The instructions for the install (link) were very straight forward. I re-read them a number of times. We were just winding down from the holidays with a bit of travel so I couldn't immediately jump on the installation.
There are a few steps which require augmenting OEM parts like the coolant hose assembly and adding a check valve to the crank case breathing hose. I mention this because I'm pretty sure I spent more time working on the part enhancements than actually installing the piping, brackets, intercooler and blower head unit. It was a quick install when I compare it to previous F/I systems I've had, less complex too but that may be due to having so much space to work around. Man these trucks are a pleasure to wrench on. We have an R35 GTR (alpha 8) and a big turbo MK7 Golf R. They are both bonkers but a PITA to work on given how cramped everything is.
I'll be picking up a 3.5 EcoB MAP sensor for an optimized tune that Josh @ Stage 5 wrote in addition to the OEM tune. Rather than apply the OEM MAP tune I'm just going to wait another day and get the EcoB MAP sensor on to take full advantage of the kit, injectors and pump booster. I can't wait to fire it up.
Terry at Beefcake made the entire process a joy. We have little ones with pretty active schedules so it just so happened that questions I had typically popped up on the weekend during the windows I could work on it. We texted back and forth and every time I'd call he answers with the exception of once, he then called back literally 15 seconds later an apologize for missing my call. His whole team rocks. Vortech ended up sending me a wrong part. I called Vortech and was told I needed to work through Beefcake. No big deal so I call Terry and he said he's on it. Bang, like 20 minutes later and I get a 2 day air tracking number with the part coming directly from Vortech. Anyhow, the kit is great and all that but especially these days, it's harder and harder to find folks like Terry and his crew. I can't recommend them enough.
Ok onto some pics:
Packaging was very organized:
The included intercooler is a beast. They brand it but it has Fluidyne badging on the end caps, very nice.
The FPDM unit with the adapter. This mounted nicely under the rear seat. It's grounded on one of the seat bolts (bored out ground terminal to fit) with the wiring running through a plastic pop-out panel on the floorboard under the carpet. I used a dremel to cut an access hole. There is a tab that needs to be shaved on the FPDM for the adapter harness. This would have been a PITA if I didn't have a dremel. I was able to leave the FPDM in place and just come from behind with my dremel while laying there in front of it.
Bracketry and head unit installed. Everything is very stout, nothing feels like it will rattle loose or easily be compromised. Although Vortech says the kit is compatible with most CAI kits, I opted for a green filter drop-in.
3rd pic down is the breather post modification per the Vortech instructions. This is the line that will have the step-less crimp clamps.
I'll update the post after I get the EB Map sensor on and its tune. I'm hoping tomorrow. We have a dyno shop locally so after a few hundred miles I'm going to get on their schedule and see what its putting down.
- UPDATE -
Got the EB map sensor on and the tune applied and she fired right up! No errors or roughness in the idle. Going to take it out for an initial drive after dinner.
Core Beefcake Kit
- V3 SI based tuner kit from Vortech
- ID 1050x Injectors
- VMP Pump Voltage Booster w/ PNP Wiring Harness
- SCT X4
- Tuning: Opted for 5 Star (Josh @ 5 Star tuned Beefcake's 22' Vortech F150)
Selected Kit Options
- Satin Finish
- Maxflow BOV
- Brisk XER10S Plugs (Not needed yet but grabbed them so I have them down the road)
Additional
- Green Filter (drop-in replacement)
- 3.5 EcoBoost Map Sensor (more on that below)
I called Terry a few days before X-Mas to inquire about the kit. After talking for quite some time I placed my order. I had everything with the exception of the satin Vortech kit itself within a week. I received the Vortech kit about 2.5 weeks later directly from Vortech.
All parts were bagged, tagged with hand-written QC checks & sign-off. The Vortech parts were bagged by category which correlate to phases of the installation for the most part which helped tremendously. Everything coming from Beefcake racing directly was packaged with great care and as mentioned, arrived lighting fast. The powder coating is flawless. The brackets, tubing and head unit are all beautiful. Nothing felt cheap or rushed. The instructions for the install (link) were very straight forward. I re-read them a number of times. We were just winding down from the holidays with a bit of travel so I couldn't immediately jump on the installation.
There are a few steps which require augmenting OEM parts like the coolant hose assembly and adding a check valve to the crank case breathing hose. I mention this because I'm pretty sure I spent more time working on the part enhancements than actually installing the piping, brackets, intercooler and blower head unit. It was a quick install when I compare it to previous F/I systems I've had, less complex too but that may be due to having so much space to work around. Man these trucks are a pleasure to wrench on. We have an R35 GTR (alpha 8) and a big turbo MK7 Golf R. They are both bonkers but a PITA to work on given how cramped everything is.
I'll be picking up a 3.5 EcoB MAP sensor for an optimized tune that Josh @ Stage 5 wrote in addition to the OEM tune. Rather than apply the OEM MAP tune I'm just going to wait another day and get the EcoB MAP sensor on to take full advantage of the kit, injectors and pump booster. I can't wait to fire it up.
Terry at Beefcake made the entire process a joy. We have little ones with pretty active schedules so it just so happened that questions I had typically popped up on the weekend during the windows I could work on it. We texted back and forth and every time I'd call he answers with the exception of once, he then called back literally 15 seconds later an apologize for missing my call. His whole team rocks. Vortech ended up sending me a wrong part. I called Vortech and was told I needed to work through Beefcake. No big deal so I call Terry and he said he's on it. Bang, like 20 minutes later and I get a 2 day air tracking number with the part coming directly from Vortech. Anyhow, the kit is great and all that but especially these days, it's harder and harder to find folks like Terry and his crew. I can't recommend them enough.
Ok onto some pics:
Packaging was very organized:
The included intercooler is a beast. They brand it but it has Fluidyne badging on the end caps, very nice.
The FPDM unit with the adapter. This mounted nicely under the rear seat. It's grounded on one of the seat bolts (bored out ground terminal to fit) with the wiring running through a plastic pop-out panel on the floorboard under the carpet. I used a dremel to cut an access hole. There is a tab that needs to be shaved on the FPDM for the adapter harness. This would have been a PITA if I didn't have a dremel. I was able to leave the FPDM in place and just come from behind with my dremel while laying there in front of it.
Bracketry and head unit installed. Everything is very stout, nothing feels like it will rattle loose or easily be compromised. Although Vortech says the kit is compatible with most CAI kits, I opted for a green filter drop-in.
3rd pic down is the breather post modification per the Vortech instructions. This is the line that will have the step-less crimp clamps.
I'll update the post after I get the EB Map sensor on and its tune. I'm hoping tomorrow. We have a dyno shop locally so after a few hundred miles I'm going to get on their schedule and see what its putting down.
- UPDATE -
Got the EB map sensor on and the tune applied and she fired right up! No errors or roughness in the idle. Going to take it out for an initial drive after dinner.
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