Vortech aftercooler clearance problems on Z28's
 

I just finished my install on my 2002 Z28 and tried to close the hood. No go it hits the aftercooler and that is even with the bending the hood in the area the instructions showed it is like I am going to have to cut a section of the hood brace out all together for enough clearance? Not to mention that I installed a BMR K-member and that droped the motor down 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. So I am wondering if anyone else has had an issue with this and also the discharge of the supercharger does not line up perfectly the aftercooler intake port it is resting on the intake and the supercharger is pointing downward about a little too much. What does everyone elses look like? any issues at all? Picture would be appreciated thanks.

this is mine...this is a T-TRIM unit...bigger than a G-TRIM

no problems at all with the hood...

http://www.drivefaster.net/~mecham/v.../ta/shiney.jpg
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http://www.drivefaster.net/~mecham/v...a/PIC00003.JPG
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it says in the instructions that you may have to cut your hood for clearance, no big deal.

what are the specs on that t trim, what's it rated for and how much psi are you running?

i got a g trim at 7lbs and its fun for now.

Got me som Not in my instructions. It only says that you may have to relieve the hood with a leather hammer ETC... but that seems to be my only option with the stock hood. Now it does say that with an SS hood you will have to cut it but not the factory Z hood.
SC mecham ws6- Looks very good! I would not expect a WS6 to have clearance problems because of the hood on those cars has a lot more room underneath. I am going to call Vortechand ask if they have every ran into any issues before. I am sure I can not be alone in this area. Thanks
Jeff

my car was beta fitted with the T-Trim and there were no problem...

next in line was a regular Trans AM with stock hood....again..the unit fit perfectly. didnt have to hammer or cut anything to clean a stock Trans AM (Non WS6) hood.

im not sure if there is any coorelation between a stock trans am hood and ss or z28.

with the 2.75 pulley and ARE 360 crate engine...im pusing close to ~12 psi - Im im colorado springs, co...look at our altitude :(

VORTECH V-1 T-TRIM SUPERCHARGER
Straight cut spur gear
Fits engines up to 825 horsepower
Maximum airflow: 1,200 CFM *
Maximum boost pressure: 26 PSI *
Maximum impeller speed: 55,000 RPM
Adiabatic efficiency: 73% **

VORTECH V-9 G-TRIM SUPERCHARGER
Fits engines up to 575 horsepower
Maximum airflow: 800 CFM *
Maximum boost pressure: 20 PSI *
Absolute maximum impeller speed: 65,000 RPM
Adiabatic efficiency: 72% **

Thanks I was aware of the SS hoods needing to be cut I have one and will probably use it and leave my stocker alone. I just did not think that it would be a big deal to use the stock hood until I had time to get the SS hod modified and painted ETC...

i've never heard of problems with the Z28 hood, it sounds like something is keeping the aftercooler from going into the proper place, or maybe your BMK K mmeber, tilts the motor, not lowers it?

what did you do for tranny mount to lower it? if nothing, then that could be the problem.

I have seen many Z28's no hood mods required.

Ryan

It is not the K-member if anything it would be lower than a stock motor. I am at a loss I will play with it tonight I( have a few more ideas but I don't think that any of them will give me the 2" I need. We will see.

you have to modify the hood even if its a z28 hood, you don't have to cut but you do have to massage with a rubber mallet to beat up some of the underside of the hood for clearance.

in the instruction manual it tells you to use clay and put it on the aftercooler and piping to see where it will contact the hood. From there you bang it up till you get your clearance.

I know this cause there is a guy locally that has a z28 with a vortech w/aftercooler and he had to do this.

the k member is not your problem. and 2 inches is a lot of clearance, make sure you are not placing that aftercooler on top of something.

good luck.

GMS you are right 2" is a lot and I can see where it is hitting and so I could beat the underside of the hood up but it will never give me the 2" I need that is why I have stopped until I can find out what to do not because I didn't see it in the instructions. But from the pictures it looks like the bend is up in a small area and only about 1/2 and inch or so deep. That is why I was asking if anyone else has ever had a problem. I followed the instructions to the letter and so now all I know to do is cut my SS hood and lay this one to the side.

Email jsnee@vortechsuperchargers.com and ask him.

He works there and has a 2000 Z28 and I don't recall him cutting the hood for his Vortech kit.

Thanks PSJ I just cut my SS hood as per instructions and it works great plenty of clearance. I was just a little disapointed I wanted to do the stock look for a little while. I will still email him and see what he has to say. I will post some pictures that I took of it today you will see that it is all the way down where it should be I fixed the alighnment problem I had with the discharge of the S/C. And made a few more adjustments but not enough room without cutting the hood. Oh just incase anyone was wondering my car has never been wrecked or even painted on as of yet.