Blouch Dominator 3.5 XT-R, any first hand experience?

decodeddiesel · Jun 12, 2013

Hello everyone. After having been without my 2005 STi for 10 months (spun rod bearing, no cash to fix) I finally finished my mechanical engineering degree, and will soon have a well enough paying job to where I can beginning taking the steps to rebuild the engine with a forged bottom end, and some other goodies. Naturally I am looking into a turbo upgrade.

At first I was set on a rotated Borg Warner, and I still might go this route. However my tuner has strongly pushed me toward a bolt-on Blouch turbo as he has much more experience with this set-up. He would like to stick to a 73mm MAF, and not go to speed density without a stand-alone ECU which is out of the budget at the moment. The Blouch Dominator 3.0 seems to be a good choice to hit the magic 400whp mark, and it seems the Dominator 3.5 is a good improvement on an already good thing. I am not stuck on the numbers per say, but I would like to be able to get into the low 11's at Bandimere which is about 5800 ft. ASL.

Before my engine had the bearing failure I was stage 2 with an EWG and an upgraded fuel system. Currently my mods are:

Cobb Gen. 2 Accessport Stage 2
Invidia V3 downpipe (Ti heat wrapped)
Cobb Catback custom modded with a 3" flange, Grimm Speed Gaskets
Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
Kartboy Pulley
Grimmspeed EWG Up-pipe (Ceramic Coated/Ti Heat Wrapped)
Grimmspeed Hybrid EBCS/MBC
Grimmspeed WG Bracket
PTP Turbo Blanket
Walbro 255 lph
DW 850cc Injectors
Tial MV-S 38mm EWG

I am planning on adding a wideband O2 sensor, some sort of upgraded intercooler, and a meth injection kit (OT: open to suggestions on which of these is recommended).

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the DOM 3.5? I am specifically looking at the 3 in. inlet with the 10 cm^2 hotside. I have done a lot of searching and found a whole lot of nothing.

Thanks for the replies.

Allblacksti · Jun 12, 2013

My current setup was 3.0 Dominator XTR provide quick spool. The upgrade provide quick spool.
FMIC
850cc DW Injectors
255 walbro fuel pump

Dyno @ 323whp / 325 torq @ 20 psi

decodeddiesel · Jun 13, 2013

I must admit, those numbers are lower than I figured they would be for a Dominator 3.0. I have heard the Cali 91 is really bad (Colorado 91 is total piss too), is that what limited you to 20psi? I am guessing (and please correct me if I am wrong) you are on a stock bottom end, and tuned conservative?

Could you please outline your supporting mods?

Allblacksti · Jun 14, 2013

Protune conservative is the key due to stock bottom that has 105k on odometer.

that's whp

Mod. as follow

Cobb AP
FMIC
Walbro 255 fuel pump
Dwk 850 CC
Blouch 3.0 Dominator XTR

srt_klr · Jun 13, 2013

I really don't understand why you or your tuner would want a big maf when sd is available. Drivability would be a lot better with sd.

decodeddiesel · Jun 13, 2013

fourseasonsandles said:
You dont need a stand alone to run speed density. I can attest to the much better drive-ability of a SD tune. I just made the switch this spring.

Guys, honestly I have no idea why he is fighting so bad on the SD. I have asked him about it numerous times and he insists it will be impossible to tune and the drivability will go to shit. Similarly he is fighting tooth and nail against a rotated set-up.

Maybe it's time to find a different tuner. It just sucks because I paid for a tune before the engine died, and I have an outstanding credit with the tuner in question. It would suck to loose that but maybe that's just how it is.

downhilly said:
I run this turbo on my hill climb car. Three races on it so far and I like it. Once you get the feel for keeping the rpms up the lag isn't bad.

I am not at all worried about the lag here. I want a broad power band. I think people who worry excessively about lag really don't understand how a turbo car works.

fourseasonsandles · Jun 13, 2013

You dont need a stand alone to run speed density. I can attest to the much better drive-ability of a SD tune. I just made the switch this spring.

downhilly · Jun 13, 2013

I run this turbo on my hill climb car. Three races on it so far and I like it. Once you get the feel for keeping the rpms up the lag isn't bad.

user1029 · Jun 14, 2013

Cobb AP speed density is smooth as hell

srt_klr · Jun 14, 2013

I'd honestly look for a new tuner.. Rotated set ups and sd are the first things that come up in a higher power build for all the beneficial reasons too it.. I'd start sending feelers out too some tuners and shops in your area and while your waiting for responses do as much research as you possibly can.

schranzkt · Jun 14, 2013

who is your tuner?

Try The Boost Creep in longmont, CO - Havey is the tuner.

decodeddiesel · Jun 14, 2013

I don't wish to disclose the tuner's name over the forum. I went with him because at the time I needed a tune and Harvey had a 6 month backlog.

Blouch Dominator 3.5 XT-R, any first hand experience?

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