Stillen/GTM Supercharger Pros, Cons, and Questions
Former Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 227
Likes: 19
From: Costa Mesa, California
Former Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 227
Likes: 19
From: Costa Mesa, California
Okay guys who have this system LOOK OUT!!!!
Long story short I have 18k miles on the kit I bought new from Stillen in 2010 so warranty is up. Well the other day my car hydro locked from Stillen's manifold inter cooler. they told me this is the first that they have seen this issue and I need to buy a new replacement for with with the whole manifold for over $1100. Is it me or is this unreasonable? At this point I think this maybe a flaw in the inter cooler and can cost you a new engine. Buyers beware.
Long story short I have 18k miles on the kit I bought new from Stillen in 2010 so warranty is up. Well the other day my car hydro locked from Stillen's manifold inter cooler. they told me this is the first that they have seen this issue and I need to buy a new replacement for with with the whole manifold for over $1100. Is it me or is this unreasonable? At this point I think this maybe a flaw in the inter cooler and can cost you a new engine. Buyers beware.
Whiddles- I have been made aware by my Customer Service Manager that you were unhappy with the answer and immediately informed him that you would be posting on the forums. As such my Customer Service and Sales/Marketing teams were made aware of the situation as we knew we would need to offer our side of the story.
To all reader's of the thread, please look at the images posted and you will see RTV silicone was used to secure the throttle body O rings. Why? I do not know as this is not part of the installation instructions. As you can quickly and easily see using this RTV silicone caused excessive pressure to be built up in the CNC machined O ring groove thus causing the aluminum casting to warp/distort and even crack. Hence the need for a new intake manifold. As this was not something that we could be responsible, this is not something that could/would be covered under warranty.
In regards to the leaking intercooler, the STILLEN intercooler for the VQ37 supercharger is a bar and plate intercooler. Bar and plate intercoolers are extremely durable and this is the first time we have ever seen one leaking on the VQ37 supercharger. As the kit is now 4 years old and outside of warranty and taking into consideration the damage done to the manifold we were not able to offer a warranty. We did however offer the intercooler at a greatly reduced price.
Generally I do not like to air our laundry on forums however as the whole story is not being told I felt it necessary to offer our side of the situation as well.
To all reader's of the thread, please look at the images posted and you will see RTV silicone was used to secure the throttle body O rings. Why? I do not know as this is not part of the installation instructions. As you can quickly and easily see using this RTV silicone caused excessive pressure to be built up in the CNC machined O ring groove thus causing the aluminum casting to warp/distort and even crack. Hence the need for a new intake manifold. As this was not something that we could be responsible, this is not something that could/would be covered under warranty.
In regards to the leaking intercooler, the STILLEN intercooler for the VQ37 supercharger is a bar and plate intercooler. Bar and plate intercoolers are extremely durable and this is the first time we have ever seen one leaking on the VQ37 supercharger. As the kit is now 4 years old and outside of warranty and taking into consideration the damage done to the manifold we were not able to offer a warranty. We did however offer the intercooler at a greatly reduced price.
Generally I do not like to air our laundry on forums however as the whole story is not being told I felt it necessary to offer our side of the situation as well.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I just got the Stillen kit installed on my car and encountered one problem. As I was driving, I lost throttle response (pressed the accelerator and nothing happened) and the check engine light came on. I pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the engine and restarted. I got throttle response after that, but the car revved high. I called my shop and they said it was a defect in the connector that connects to the throttle body sensor. My shop replaced the cable and everything seems ok for now (knock on wood). Has anyone else experienced this problem? I am wondering how common this problem is and whether it will come back.
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
I just got the Stillen kit installed on my car and encountered one problem. As I was driving, I lost throttle response (pressed the accelerator and nothing happened) and the check engine light came on. I pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the engine and restarted. I got throttle response after that, but the car revved high. I called my shop and they said it was a defect in the connector that connects to the throttle body sensor. My shop replaced the cable and everything seems ok for now (knock on wood). Has anyone else experienced this problem? I am wondering how common this problem is and whether it will come back.
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
Glad you found the problem.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 3
I just got the Stillen kit installed on my car and encountered one problem. As I was driving, I lost throttle response (pressed the accelerator and nothing happened) and the check engine light came on. I pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the engine and restarted. I got throttle response after that, but the car revved high. I called my shop and they said it was a defect in the connector that connects to the throttle body sensor. My shop replaced the cable and everything seems ok for now (knock on wood). Has anyone else experienced this problem? I am wondering how common this problem is and whether it will come back.
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
Also, I noticed that when I lift off the throttle while driving at constant speed, the car jerks a bit before decelerating. I can't remember if this happened pre-supercharger, but it seems like there should be a smooth transition from constant velocity to deceleration. Is this normal?
FWIW, it was a hot day and I turned on the AC in my car when it happened (first time since I had the kit installed). I also have the Tein Monosport suspension and the Fast Intentions exhaust installed.
Thanks!
Premier Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 9
From: Calgary
New to forum, old hand at supercharging
Hi, just joined the forum - I'm a refugee from Maxima.org. Drove a >400WHP AWIC supercharged Maxima for 10 years. Only blew one motor!
Will be installing the Stillen SC kit that's been in my garage for a month as soon as UpRev can get me a tune. Will keep you posted.
The immediate mods will be the Stillen kit, oil cooler, Dynojet Wide Band, and J&S Safegard. Then go from there.
Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Will be installing the Stillen SC kit that's been in my garage for a month as soon as UpRev can get me a tune. Will keep you posted.
The immediate mods will be the Stillen kit, oil cooler, Dynojet Wide Band, and J&S Safegard. Then go from there.
Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Former Sponsor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 227
Likes: 19
From: Costa Mesa, California
Hi, just joined the forum - I'm a refugee from Maxima.org. Drove a >400WHP AWIC supercharged Maxima for 10 years. Only blew one motor!
Will be installing the Stillen SC kit that's been in my garage for a month as soon as UpRev can get me a tune. Will keep you posted.
The immediate mods will be the Stillen kit, oil cooler, Dynojet Wide Band, and J&S Safegard. Then go from there.
Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Will be installing the Stillen SC kit that's been in my garage for a month as soon as UpRev can get me a tune. Will keep you posted.
The immediate mods will be the Stillen kit, oil cooler, Dynojet Wide Band, and J&S Safegard. Then go from there.
Any tips are appreciated.
Thanks!
Tips and advice. Follow the instructions closely. If there is something you don't understand or find in the instructions ask, don't guess or assume. Don't put the bumper back on till after you have started it up and done a little test drive. Go slow when you do the fuel pump (easiest thing to mess up) and make sure everything is correctly done on that end. If you do not have the plug and play harnesses for the Throttle body and MAF's...call me and order them. It will save you tons of potential headaches.
Premier Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 26
Likes: 9
From: Calgary
Hi, yes this is a brand new tuner kit. I guess I helped Adam make his quota 
Why would I need a transmission cooler in Calgary more than other places? I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and it's COLD! It is an x 7AT. I was planning to do the GTM valve body upgrade and transmission cooler at the same time (in the spring) - but I understand that GTM is kaput. Is there another source?
Why would I need a transmission cooler in Calgary more than other places? I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and it's COLD! It is an x 7AT. I was planning to do the GTM valve body upgrade and transmission cooler at the same time (in the spring) - but I understand that GTM is kaput. Is there another source?
Last edited by mhadford; Dec 19, 2014 at 08:45 PM.
i dont think it is so much the fact that youre in canada, but more the fact that a supercharger will stress the hell out of your tranny and the added cooler will be very beneficial - cold or not.
Mine , I have a few
Mike's Stillen Supercharged G37X - YouTube
457 WHP
Wifey Cruise LOL. G37X Stillen SC - YouTube
And G37some is correct the added stress from the WTQ and line pressure change you'll want to install that a lot sooner that the spring, I did my oil cooler and trans cooler at the time of install in Dec.
Mike's Stillen Supercharged G37X - YouTube
457 WHP
Wifey Cruise LOL. G37X Stillen SC - YouTube
And G37some is correct the added stress from the WTQ and line pressure change you'll want to install that a lot sooner that the spring, I did my oil cooler and trans cooler at the time of install in Dec.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 4
Mine , I have a few
Mike's Stillen Supercharged G37X - YouTube
457 WHP
Wifey Cruise LOL. G37X Stillen SC - YouTube
And G37some is correct the added stress from the WTQ and line pressure change you'll want to install that a lot sooner that the spring, I did my oil cooler and trans cooler at the time of install in Dec.
Mike's Stillen Supercharged G37X - YouTube
457 WHP
Wifey Cruise LOL. G37X Stillen SC - YouTube
And G37some is correct the added stress from the WTQ and line pressure change you'll want to install that a lot sooner that the spring, I did my oil cooler and trans cooler at the time of install in Dec.