Ok, lets start from the beginning.

I installed my RSM kit... First impressions: (when i opened the box)
Pros:
-Great fabrication
-Great instructions (included a CD as well)
-Everything needed to install (except tools), included a thread tap for the oil return too.
Cons:
-S/C pulley seems too small
-The couplers are kind of rigged... But good quality wrapped 90* elbows... Rigged because the one that goes to the throttle body is crudely cut out on the inside to fit over the 62mm TB, and it barely slides on enough to tighten the clamp down.
-Instead of including a threaded IAT sensor they have you lengthen the wires, and put the IAT sensor on the air filter.... This is RETARDED, i would think the RSM engineers know that compressed air heats up, so the temp in the air filter will be much lower than in the charge pipe... and the PCM needs to know this.

Install notes:
-Battery tray included with kit utilizes stock hold down, well this is a total piece of dog sh*t. The hold down doesnt work with the tray, and i found 2 bungee cords to be the best method, and ive used it since the install
-New coolant line is too big... less than a 1/4inch gap between the s/c pulley and hose, not a good fit at all onto the radiator, leaked a few times and i had to tighten the clamp more since.
-I feel they should have included a new ground battery cable... or and extension, you really have to do some re-routing to make enough slack to hook it up to the battery in its new location... Even then its still tight.
-Install took about 5 hours.

First impressions (first week)
-Well, im not seeing much boost... like 4psi in 1st gear, 5in 2nd, and 6 in 3rd... Easily fixed with a Gatorback 33" belt... but still not perfect.
-Oil leaks from the Drivehousing
-Car does run good, and sounds great... Hasnt blown up yet.

Long term impression (second week, to present)
-Ive replaced the belt about 5 times.... Replaced the drive housing seal once, still leaks.
-The oil fittings into the s/c leak ever so lightly, tighten them and they still leak
-The microscopic bolts that hold the cap onto the drive housing strip VERY easily... Way too fragile
-My p/s pump driveshaft seems to get wedged in the pulley when i remove it
-Replaced the o-ring between the head with silicone to stop that leak.

Ok, so now lets list the pros and cons.

Pros:
1. Nice supercharger
2. Sounds good
3. Quality constructed mounting brackets
4. Real 62mm throttlebody
5. Ummm.... im kinda stuck... Good packaging??
Complete kit

Cons:
1. Very crappy HP gains for the money
2. Belt tensioner is maxed out just to keep it from slipping.... Still slips slightly
3. Leaks everywhere
4. takes the "reliable" part out of supercharging your car
5. Eats belts like M&M's
6. Drive housing threads strip out easily.
7. Junk battery holder
8. Needs a longer battery cable for the new mounting location
9. IAT sensor is located on the intake side of the S/C, not the charge pipe like it should be.
10.Looks like a 2 year old adapted the elbow fitting to work on the 62mm throttle body
11. Umm... Well i got 10 cons and only 4, well i guess 5 pro's.... I count that as a con in itself


I had to pull things out of my ass to get pros.... And the problems can be fixed but since its a "kit" you shouldnt have to upgrade the belt, or deal with a oil leak, or hold down your battery with bungee cords.

Ok, so today finally put me over the edge.

Yesterday i shimmed the pulley to keep it away from a BRAND new seal so it wouldnt spin, and i tried the 32.5inch belt.

Well i got everything together (the belt is too small, but you can get it on... and it doesnt slip AT ALL)

During the install the last of the drive housing cap threads stipped out so i had to move up a lil bigger, buy new bolts, and rethread the housing. (i was just snugging them up to... over time they just stripped) This pissed me off.

I must say, when i was done i was very happy... Seemed to have no leaks, and the S/C hit 6psi in every gear, even free revving it... Until tonight, i pulled into my g/f's driveway and smelled burning out... Popped the hood and found oil is practically pouring from the drive housing, beeing slung off the belt all over my trans and hood.

I pulled it off, and instead of spinning this time the seal came halfway out of the drivehousing, until it hit the pulley and then spun.

Im sick of this, i spent 3,500 dollars on a kit consisting of very expensive paperweights, and a very nice supercharger, and i also find out my PCM might not even be flashed. So, my car sits... Until the Audi sells and im ordering the HAHN RACECRAFT kit. I will no longer deal with these petty issues, or live with 40WHP for the money i spend.

Maybe im beeing a lil hard on them here.... On the other hand i think its just been a year of little things ive had problems with and never said anything, then today i just decided im not gunna mess with it anymore... I shouldnt have to.

OH YEA!!!! And then a couple weeks ago i find out that the IRS is coming after me for unpaid taxes on the kit since i bought it from Canada... Maybe it was my job to know about them, maybe not... Still didnt know it was coming and that kinda pissed me off as well.... I thought that they were gunna fail to mention the actual cost to avoid this.

So im gunna put off on HP tuners, and the laptop, and the top mount, and the Exhaust., ect. I just want to get this satan-spawn off my car before i drive it again.

Bye bye RSM, hello ECOTEC GODS! (Hahn)

-Ben

I know, i know... I kept alot of this inside... but today when i saw that oil leaking AGAIN i wanted to kick the crap out of my car... it was all i could do to keep from smashing something.


<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/831000-831999/831395_11_full.jpg">

sry... when i said "i smelled burning out" i meant to say burning oil...

-Ben


<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/831000-831999/831395_11_full.jpg">

I've never dealt with RSM and I hate them. These threads irritate me. You don't deserve to spend a ton of money on crap. I'm sorry man.

S$*tty deal. Hope everything works out in the end.

Quote:

OH YEA!!!! And then a couple weeks ago i find out that the IRS is coming after me for unpaid taxes on the kit since i bought it from Canada...

You lost me here. Please elaborate.

Let me know when you want that real kit (HRC). Since you've dealt with all the RSM BS I'll give you as good a deal as I possibly can.



I used to race cars, now I race myself.
5K PB: 24:50
10K PB: 54:26

Definately go through Hypsy.

I feel so bad for those screwed by RSM. No one deserves that much BS. I think y'all need to file suit and take EVERYTHING from those guys. Who cares if RSM is closed or the guys who were there before no longer work there, you need to name them as defendants and take their @!#$ too. They knowingly cheated MANY people out of TONS of money. It's ridiculous.

A little FYI for everyone though. I'm trying to find someone to start making 58mm AND 62mm TBs for me. I'll let y'all know what happens with that. Until then anyone else who is fed up with RSM and needs parts give me a shout. I'll give you as good a price on stuff that you need since you've already lost a ton of money on wasted stuff (in most cases.)



I used to race cars, now I race myself.
5K PB: 24:50
10K PB: 54:26

Quote:

-Instead of including a threaded IAT sensor they have you lengthen the wires, and put the IAT sensor on the air filter.... This is RETARDED, i would think the RSM engineers know that compressed air heats up, so the temp in the air filter will be much lower than in the charge pipe... and the PCM needs to know this.

except its a stock pcm anyway, so it won't run right no matter where the sensor is placed

yeah sorry about the sad fact you wasted your money with a @!#$ty company, nobody deserves that.

Now, we just have to wait for oldskool to come in and bitch that we should just lube up and put our butts in the air whenever a company like RSM comes around all for the sake of having an aftermarket for the J-body....




Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
Megasquirt
'Nuff said

i been telling people this for 5+ years. and for them five years i got accused of not knowing what i was talking about, or i dont have any say as i never had a rsm kit. haha why would i spend $ and have the same results as this guy if i knew better.

sucks you had to go through that.

good luck with the hahn stuff and keep us updated.

Scarab (Jersey Jay 1.8T) wrote:

Quote:

-Instead of including a threaded IAT sensor they have you lengthen the wires, and put the IAT sensor on the air filter.... This is RETARDED, i would think the RSM engineers know that compressed air heats up, so the temp in the air filter will be much lower than in the charge pipe... and the PCM needs to know this.

except its a stock pcm anyway, so it won't run right no matter where the sensor is placed

yeah sorry about the sad fact you wasted your money with a @!#$ty company, nobody deserves that.

Now, we just have to wait for oldskool to come in and bitch that we should just lube up and put our butts in the air whenever a company like RSM comes around all for the sake of having an aftermarket for the J-body....

ROFL ^^^ True that,


Any company that makes, or doesn't even actually make per se, but even just claims to make an after market part for a Jbody is lyke teh super 1337 bestest' company in teh world, and if you got a problem with their product you better keep your mouth shut because it probabally is just a figment of your imagination and your a hater!


___________________________________________________________________

Wow,

I said it 2 years ago and got flamed for it ....

I'll say it again ..... and to quote my self...

"RSM STINKS"

Lee




JDM Civic Hatch
Status: Parting Out Turbo Kit....
14.224 @ 102.01MPH @ 5.5psi.... 2.3 60'
Next: Civic JDM B16a2 w/GSR LSD Turbo - Goal 300whp 1400lbs...

HAHAHA

As an owner of the exact same kit I can understand everything that your going through, however many of the problems with design and such I've fixed on my own.

My impressions
1. Very crappy HP gains for the money, that remains to be seen as of yet
2. I have a 33inch Gatorback, there is no slippage, however the cheap dayco with the kit I ditched a week after I got the kit
3. I have a slight oil leak from the drive housing but nothing like what your describing so I dont worry about it
4. My one relability issue was a radiator hose clearance, which I fixed with zip ties and covered the line with stainless braided line so if the belt ever does fray it wont do any harm to the hose
5. Eats belts like only every 5-10k, this really isnt that bad its a half hour job to change a belt, call me sick but I actually enjoy being up close and personal working on the motor so it dont bother me
6. Drive housing threads? Never had a problem there, you must have over torqued them
7. Junk battery holder?, Never had an issue with this either, prob an installation error
8. Needs a longer battery cable for the new mounting location, never had a problem here either of course my grounds were already bumped up being an audio freak
9. IAT sensor is located on the intake side of the S/C, not the charge pipe like it should be, I havent had an issue, a screw type is 15 bucks not a big deal should I ever decide to do it
10.Looks like a 2 year old adapted the elbow fitting to work on the 62mm throttle body?, I dont have this problem either, im using a totally different intake elbow
11. I was disappointed with the kit as is, but im starting to discover that it has ALOT of potential, Ive picked up 20hp or more over what I had last year with the kit and theres still alot on the table. Due to that I'm not totally hating it, maybe I could have made a better choice but I still feel I can make this work
12. Fuel Management - its basically not there so im doing my own, im learning alot that I never would have otherwise had to and thats a good thing, im still having some issues with some knock retard and getting the AFRs perfect but its a work in progress with the HP tuners, Im taking it as my challenge to see how far I can take it, Ive been making some big strides over the past few weeks and theres some good stuff to come yet



1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85

I used a quarter inch hand ratchet every time i tightened the bolts on the cap... They just seem to strip so easily, i never felt a need to torque them tight because theres 8 of them.

I should clear up the battery tray, i have a 650CCA battery in the car... While the hold down WILL hold down the battery, all you have to do is lift up on the back and the battery comes free... The back edge doesnt come up high enough to keep it in place... it really needs to have a hook so that it grabs the battery's bottom edge like its supposed to.

I too love beeing intimate with my car, thats why i installed the kit myself, and rebuilt my Audi in the garage... I love doing things that will increase the performance... However i dont feel i should have to replace the belt every 5,000 miles because its been saturated with oil and disintegrated.... It should last at least 15,000 miles.... And then i shouldnt feel like ive been playing with sludge after changing it... Its a belt, not an oil sponge.

As i said... if they just worked out the bugs it would be an ok reliable kit... (mainly the oil leak issue), but the customer should not have to come up with all these fixes, they should be listening to the problems and fixing them before they send another kit out the door. The fact that theyve had plenty of complaints about the oil leak (i think everyone i know who's bought this kit has had a leaky drive housing) and never did anything to correct it just tells me that they could care less... as long as they get paid.

Craig was awesome, that is the one thing i liked about RSM, now he's gone i dont even bother calling for help.


<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/831000-831999/831395_11_full.jpg">

Quote:

Now, we just have to wait for oldskool to come in and bitch that we should just lube up and put our butts in the air whenever a company like RSM comes around all for the sake of having an aftermarket for the J-body

At this point, why are people still buying things from RSM. Anyone who has been a member of this site for two hours can do enough research to know not to do that...

And BTW, you are still missing my point from before, but it's all good.



yea...boost would be nice...yea

regardless, you guys spent what? 4grand for a "kit" and still have to tinker with it. that isnt a kit by any means. they tell you about the reflash and it is bogus. but yet no one calls up and demands their money back.

i wonder how the rsm s/c' 2.4's are doing now a days? or if anyone out there is reading and care to post here.

(i suppose, i have the gm s/c "kit" and it wasnt even made for my year car and i havent touched anything i installed from it for 3 years now and i personally wouldnt be afraid of any rsm s/c'd car and i am still on the stock pulley, but there are no rsm s/c cars in my area .. )

Some ppl just came to look at the Audi already (been on cars.com for 2 days..., had a few calls about it too...

I can hear the whooosh pssst. already *grins*

"Here srt-4, WRX, and 350z!"


<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/3/web/831000-831999/831395_11_full.jpg">

Heh, I bought my GM kit used, for half of what people spent for the NEW RSM kit, and I've never had a single smidge of trouble with it. I'm even on the original belt! I do need to change that out soon though it's got like 50000km or so on it and it's 3 years old.

Anyone coming to Canada wanna bring me a Gatorback?




14.330 @ 96.37mph

Hey Ben I feel your pain. I fixed all the same problems with my kit and have had no problems since.I think more to the point is that for what we all paid for this kit it should have been perfect or very close too it right out of the box. I agree with Matt the Vortech supercharger has lots of potential.The V9 Vortech supercharger has a max,efficent impellar speed of 60,000 rpm. and an absolute max, impellar speed of 65,000 rpm.The drive and driven pulleys that RSM supplies limits our superchargers max,impellar speed at between 34,213 rpm to 35,650 rpm. I am going to keep upgrading my kit and the rest of the engine to try and take full advantage of the Vortech supercharger. Two weeks ago I installed the GM M62 kit on a friends(Influx) 04 Cav. Very nice kit and it works perfect right out of the box and he has factory support if he needs it plus he paid less for it than we paid for our kits. I am sure that the Hahn kit you can get from Hypsy is also a perfect example of a well engineered kit with very good support from Hahn and Hypsy. And after all the Bull $#%* you and the rest of us have had from RSM it would be nice to have some support for a change.



Thats Him Officer The WICKED One.

I would love to get the stage 2 pulley for mine



1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85