To 3.3 or not to 3.3. That is the question?

[monusa]

I am a proud 2018 2.0T owner and have installed JB4 (maps 2/3 mostly), HKS plugs, K&N panel filter and that is it. My reason for starting the thread is to hear honest opinions/Technical rebuttals, etc. Due to how good the JB4 product is, i am now torn between trading for a 3.3 or just keeping my 2.0T. I don't intend to be a stoplight warrior nor go hunting for RS5's, Corvettes, or Hellcats. I do like the extra "beef" of the 3.3 but am ok with my "slice of Filet".

Surely, the 3.3 can't be that much more satisfying than the 2.0T/JB4 shaving a minimum of 1 sec. off of the 0-60? It's also great in situations in which you are at highway speeds and need to "stand on it".....

Thoughts????

 

[P22Tyler]

I can't speak to the 2.0 as I've never driven one. For me it was never a question, I held out until I could afford a 3.3T. I guess my only thought would be if you're happy with the power you have now you can get the 3.3 and not have to have any mods to get the power, no worries about damaging anything or warranty issues if something does go wrong.

 

[Marlene]

Had an optima with that stock 2.0 theta II - turbo, amazing engine for long roads, used over 100k miles in 3 years, but always wished that the suspension is not too harsh on the car (since stinger body solves that problem). Great fuel economy, enough acceleration, immediately zippy with the sport mode and great for maintenance with all-season mxm4 tires. Used mobil1 extended and mobil1 filters, and changed oil around 13- 15k, it run great to the last minute. never felt like a 100k miles car, also never felt inadequate for highway acceleration etc..

now using a stock 3.3 lambda II rs t-gdi, with k&n filters, only for about 40k miles, it is maintenance heavy for sure, twin turbos obviously makes it much more zippy even with almost 2 tons of weight. Also need to swap tires, winter tires definitely recommended for that performance to feel safe, having tire alignments every now and then, trying to keep the oil fresh and change as recommended 6k miles, because of the heat and twin turbos. Additional awd and 8-speed transmission, probably will want to change transmission oil around 50k too.

I am looking forward to see the Smartstream 3.5 t-gdi, which will be a great engine with less intake valve cleaning required, well, in theory of course : ) I wish they would make it available in stinger for the upcoming years, at least for us market.

 

[P22Tyler]

Also need to swap tires, winter tires definitely recommended for that performance to feel safe,

I'm assuming you have RWD and are commenting from that perspective, I don't think that's mandatory if you have AWD. I have Pilot Sport 4's so I switch them for winter, but I go to A/S tires not winters. So if you got the car with A/S tires and AWD I think you would be fine year round.

If anyone with RWD has tried A/S tires in the winter and would like to chime in I'd be interested to know how that went.

 

[monusa]

So far, so good......Thanks Marlene and P22tyler. i could have purchased the 3.3 in the beginning but dealer had none on the lot (until after i got my tags for the 2.0T) and i had been driving a 2010 nissan sentra so when i test drove the 2.0, thought i was in heaven.....loved the Stinger from the jump regardless of engine choice. i did get to test drive a GTS(limited edition one not the Canadian model...I'm a KY guy) and although i loved the power, now driving the 2.0 w/JB4, i kind of shrug my shoulders at the difference but i agree that with the 3.3, you get the power without the need for mods......although, like Marlene stated, maintenance on the 2.0T is a breeze especially, when changing those plugs to accommodate the JB4....feel sorry for the 3.3 owners....still can't decide.....

 

[CKeeler]

I love my sixer. I never thought about the 4 pot, the 3.3 just moves so effortlessly around. Even stock, it still surprises me plenty of times. Maybe one day I’ll do a jB4, but I’m happy so far with its ego bruising power

 

[General_Vodka]

All I have to say was that I daily drove a 2.4L NA Honda wagon. Test drove the stinger gt2 and yeah it was fun. But not that much faster than my modified g37x. Now I have my 400whp gt2. Would I ever go stock? Nope. Is the 2.0 even on my mind? Nope. 2 point slow.

 

[87and66]

I've never driven a modified 2.0T Stinger, but I test drove one before I test drove a GT and there was no way I was choosing the 4cyl over the 6cyl. The V6 is the right engine for the Stinger if you like performance. For someone who just wants a nice looking, practical car but nothing more, the 4cyl is great. But if you're a car enthusiast, the V6 is the right choice.

But at the end of the day, your opinion is the only one that matters.

 

[MerlintheMad]

From reading on here, a modded 2.0L is very close to a stock 3.3L; never quite there but that would only be a difference by the clock, not in real conditions. I wanted to "pass fast", and that was my first "must have": so, I never even considered the 2.0L. The stock 3.3L is plenty fast for me.

 

[monusa]

Thanks a lot guys/girl for the feedback. it seems that most choices are based upon "desire' which is not a bad thing. Again, i have test driven the 3.3 and agree 100% that if i wanted the power W/O mods (which i still may do - hence, the thread in the first place), that would be the way to go. Still trying to decide but i have 8 months, or more, to do so.....please continue to convince me......One side note on why the choice is difficult....on the way to work this morning, traveling on a long stretch of 3-lane semi-highway, got behind a Camaro SS (the V-8) and he was biting at the chomps to "teach me a lesson...". Much to his SURPRISE, he mashed it and so did I (JB4 MAP 3)and he did manage a 1.5 car length distance ahead of me BUT he could not disappear!!!!!!!!!!! At about 110mph, he backed off and so did I.....wished i could have seen his face but m-a-y-b-e he thought i was a 3.3?????????? LOL!!

 

[87and66]

That's awesome that you could keep up with an SS in the 4cyl! I'd love to see his reaction if he were told it was a 4cyl right on his V8 tail. Now think about what a 3.3TT with JB4 could have done

I kept up with a Shelby GT350 in my GT, with only exhaust and intakes. He finally started to pull away slowly after we got up to about 90mph and that car has 526 horsepower. AWD and all of that Torque through the bulk of the rev range make the 3.3 very competitive with higher horsepower cars under 100mph.

 

[monusa]

Thanks "87and66" and "MerlintheMad"(and others) the info is nice.i never expected to really "threaten" the Camaro with a 2.0T but surprising him was just as satisfying because i knew i only had a 2.0T. Again, let me be clear....i know that even W/jb4 on my 2.0, the 3.3 is going to pull stronger, especially, a little above 2300RPM. The old saying is true: "no replacement for displacement"....i would just like to be able to make a solid decision next year about jumping to the 3.3. i just read an article on M/T website about the new BMW M235i which is sporting a 2.0T as well but with 301HP/328flbs right out of the factory. 0-60 reported as 4.6. of course, it is $50K so if i got another 25-30 hp out my 2.0T, maybe the decision to go 3.3 will be a little more difficult. (i know the next M/Y stinger 4cyl will be 2.5T........) but if i upgrade, it will be 3.3 or stay pat. i can match the 2.5T now easy.....Thanks a bunch folks..

 

[monusa]

Ok....This thread generated more than i thought and i appreciate all of the comments. Expected more "negative" stuff but i guess when we are talking "Stinger", there are no negatives....regardless of powertrain. i am sold 100 % on the vehicle so every chance i get, i try to sell one to friends/family so Kia won't give up on the platform for lack of sales.....final word: i am about 60/40 between choosing a 3.3 over my 2.0. BMS makes it a very difficult call due to the awesome jb4. i post in other threads but am hoping to re-visit this particular one in a few months with my decision. Thanks

..........until then