Vargas GC+ vs PS2+

[S55freak]

I have been in the market for some PS2+ but cant seem to find anyone selling a lightly used set. So i ask.. how do vargas gc turbos on the s55 compare to ps2+? In terms of power/reliability.
Contemplating just ordering some vargas turbos.. price point makes it very tempting.
Any info is very appreciated.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Per the manufacturer's websites, Vargas is capable of making up to 800whp
the Pure Stage 2+ makes close to 900 whp

[S55freak]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Per the manufacturer's websites, Vargas is capable of making up to 800whp
the Pure Stage 2+ makes close to 900 whp

How about quality / fitment and reliability between the two? That's what's stopping me from gc if im honest.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by S55freak

How about quality / fitment and reliability between the two? That's what's stopping me from gc if im honest.

Fitment is spot on with both brands. They both are reliable as well, Check this forum's section im pretty sure you will find review threads on both options

[Ed_rx7]

Many stock engined cars running Vargas are holding records atm so not sure about power ratings that have been quoted

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

We have 6 stock motor S55's in the 9's now on GC's. We hold the record with a 9.62@149MPH. There is not a single PS2+ that makes 900WHP. That rating is not accurate. We get emails from shops all the time, telling us the spool between the two is night and day. If you want a lot of lag, and the same power potential for more money, the PS2+ is what you want. If you want record-holding performance, that is proven many times over, at a reasonable price. VTT GC or GC+. Yes, we are biased...

[Ed_rx7]

Love it..... hahaha 🤣

[ssgm1x]

Go with reliability / Pures 100%

[mdma-zn]

GC+ is better value.
A GC+ and a spare set of CHRA's for both turbo's is still cheaper than competitor pricing.

[MisterF80M3]

Originally Posted by ssgm1x

Go with reliability / Pures 100%

You also want a company that will stand behind their products.

There are a lot of angry S55 owners after how Vargas handled their turbos failing and crank hub spinning even with their spline lock installed.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1679594

[MJ6]

Originally Posted by MisterF80M3

You also want a company that will stand behind their products.

There are a lot of angry S55 owners after how Vargas handled their turbos failing and crank hub spinning even with their spline lock installed.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1679594

Dig around on other forums too, there's always a reason behind reputation:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...251&page=3

[luchocamp]

Could anyone confirm the 9.35@151mph from maximumpsi was with Pure stg XX or was with PS2+ ?

[fiveohwblow]

Originally Posted by MJ6

Dig around on other forums too, there's always a reason behind reputation:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...1198251&page=3

I just read that entire thread. I believe I can understand a few things now. I see where Chris came in as it was clear the people suggested it. This also explains why I carried the sentiments I had regarding their responses. Chris is level headed and I’ve seen him take some heat.

What is strange is there are many satisfied GC customers. Did their products improve? Are there a ton of failures or just ton of bad publicity about the acceptable percentage of failures?

From my limited research, isn’t it a better option to go with any brand that has a reworked compressor housing based on the factory turbo back pressure and this heat caused by this?

[MJ6]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

I just read that entire thread. I believe I can understand a few things now. I see where Chris came in as it was clear the people suggested it. This also explains why I carried the sentiments I had regarding their responses. Chris is level headed and I've seen him take some heat.

What is strange is there are many satisfied GC customers. Did their products improve? Are there a ton of failures or just ton of bad publicity about the acceptable percentage of failures?

From my limited research, isn't it a better option to go with any brand that has a reworked compressor housing based on the factory turbo back pressure and this heat caused by this?

Chris is definitely the more level headed of the two, which is one thing I really respect about his responses in this forum regardless of how much heat he receives. I may not agree with some of their more forward marketing tactics, but his tact in most situations is leaps and bounds over what it used to be.

I also feel that their products have definitely improved over time (part of which I'd attribute to better QC) however there appears to remain issues of accountability that seem to have carried over. Most of the bad publicity in the past reflects just that: a lack of responsibility when it comes to addressing previous failures. I do want to make it clear though that none of this is a reflection on Chris: these issues were solely propagated by the owner far before he came into the picture, and Chris has done a remarkable job in turning public image around.

On the subject of compressor housings, you're spot on, back pressure and manifold design has been shown to be an issue the higher in power you go. This is where the complication comes in when picking a turbo though, at least it did for me. While one system upgrades the stock housings and leaves the manifold unaltered, their reputation is solid. Another addresses the compressor housing and manifold design, but their reputation is rocky. The final system addresses both issues, but is ultimately more expensive.

As before though, this is just my 2 cents worth and will gladly default to Jeff Bridges at this point.

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

S55 turbos were one of our biggest sellers, hundreds of them in the field. We had big company growth in 2020, sold a lot of turbos, and of those turbos quite a few were S55 GC's. Very few issues overall. Great reliability and the power output/track times are simply unmatched (you know I'm gonna say 6 9-second stock motor cars...). Best value on the market.

Real talk; you're going to get some failures particularly with end-use largely unbound -i.e. how hard do you want to push them? Some guys think 20psi is amazing, other guys call a 30+ psi tune conservative. Some guys don't do boost leak checks. Other people check this stuff bi-weekly. Ultimately shaft speed and longevity are related for all turbos. Aggressive tunes are, well, aggressive. While we're talking reliability, it's also worth noting that there is a continued zero spins with the V2 spline lock, and that also has been a big seller, many hundred of them in use around the world.

Aside from that, I appreciate the kind words concerning professionalism and my approach. You'll find most of the people with gripes have never been customers. Email is always the fastest way to reach me -usually responses are same day, although sometimes it takes longer depending on workload. FWIW Tony brought me on the team a long time ago (now almost 5 years? Time flies!) and I enjoy the long leash I have (I'm remote) and use it as an opportunity to get to know the customers a little better, and ultimately help them choose the products that best meet their needs.

Chris

[M4XS55]

Originally Posted by luchocamp

Could anyone confirm the 9.35@151mph from maximumpsi was with Pure stg XX or was with PS2+ ?

Mike from Maximumpsi confirms at 2:12 of this video that he was running PS2+.

[luchocamp]

Originally Posted by M4XS55

Mike from Maximumpsi confirms at 2:12 of this video that he was running PS2+.
[

ok, good to know

[luchocamp]

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

We have 6 stock motor S55's in the 9's now on GC's. We hold the record with a 9.62@149MPH. There is not a single PS2+ that makes 900WHP. That rating is not accurate. We get emails from shops all the time, telling us the spool between the two is night and day. If you want a lot of lag, and the same power potential for more money, the PS2+ is what you want. If you want record-holding performance, that is proven many times over, at a reasonable price. VTT GC or GC+. Yes, we are biased...

" Yes, we are biased ... "

[c4ss]

To be totally honest, I have no idea how people still even consider putting VTT products on their cars regardless of how well priced they are after that whole V1 Spline Lock fiasco. Pay a little more up front for a company that will stand behind their own stuff. My 2 cents.

[chewbakam4]

I like them both.

[mike@x-ph.com]

This thread needs customers of both brands to share their experience, my bet is that both are very happy with their choice.

[sly1types]

Originally Posted by c4ss

To be totally honest, I have no idea how people still even consider putting VTT products on their cars regardless of how well priced they are after that whole V1 Spline Lock fiasco. Pay a little more up front for a company that will stand behind their own stuff. My 2 cents.

Not just that, but look at their N54 reputation...On the other hand Pure has great quality reputation.