tici

iTrader: (1)

A couple of guys are helping me to understand what's about superchargers. If I buy one I'll go with a Vortech, but: which one?
I don't want to build a race machine, I just want a normal looking and feeling car with that special extra power.
Should I go with the 9# intercooled kit or with the 5# standard kit?
Who has the non intercooled? Are you still happy with this choice or you regret not having taken the intercooled kit?
I'd prefer to stay conservative just to don't mess up engine + transmission.
Someone made this suggestion: take the intercooled kit with a 5# pulley.

Thanks - Stefano

Caveman

iTrader: (2)

It would not be a good idea to run an LS1 motor without an intercooler, you would probably have detonation at wot and that would`nt make it very reliable.

tici

iTrader: (1)

OK but Vortech offers a 5 PSI kit without intercooler. I assume that with low pressure you'll also have a minor temperature increase and (maybe) no need of an intercooler.

P*V=n*R*T works also for blowers...

Caveman

iTrader: (2)

You said you want to stay conservative and not mess up the engine. With an intercooled 7# - 8# Vortech you would probably have more reliabilty than with a 5# non intercooled kit. A friend has an intercooled Vortech and sees 7# at 6200rpm with just headers, he`s had no overheating or any other problems. But at idle you deffinately hear the blower, not stock sounding at all.

tici

iTrader: (1)

OK this is a good information, thanks! I really was thinking it was just a matter of choosing the PSI range. Is the non intercooled the poor man version?

About the noise: I thought that Vortech was one of the quitest... SQ is for Super Quite (or maybe for Sounds Questionably?)

Stefano

slow

iTrader: (7)

the non intercooled is the entry level... take that for what its worth.

even on my custom install, i was going to do air/air intercoolers, but found an aftercooler for cheap so im going with that instead

Ryan

sr71

iTrader: (17)

I had a carroll kit on my c5 that used a v2sq head unit. the blower was dead silent at idle. you could only hear a little whine between 1200 and 1500 rpms. my kit was non intercooled and made 6.5 psi. I had home ported heads with stock valves and a nasty na cam. the car ran 7.11 at 99.57 in the 1/8th mile and never gave any problems.the car owed the performance and driveability to the great tuning work of KP. that vortech would still be on my car now except for the fact that the funky carroll drive set-up couldn't stand it when I raised the rev limit from 6800 to 7000. I needed 7k to get through the traps.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

5 psi kit is the cheaper kit.

I'd get the aftercooled kit it's pretty safe installed and tuned right.

BIGBOS

Your better off being intercooled, I know I wouldn't want to be driving w/out one in the hot summer heat

F8L Z71

You can always stick with your Vortech and instead of buying the godaweful expensive aftercooler just buy a $400-450 Alcohol/Water injection kit. It will cool better than the Aftercooler will and cost much less AND raise your octane.

tici

iTrader: (1)

So much help! But still confused. If I just want 5# of boost do I really need the cooler? This is the question. It's clear: the higher the pressure the more I have to cool the air, but is it 5# that much?

Thanks - Stefano

F8L Z71

At 5psi I don't feel you need it personally. Now will you make more power? Yes. I used to run 9psi on my Mustang with a Vortech S-Trim. This is back when Vortech and Paxton said intercooling doesn't work for blowers. Then ATI changed their tune. LOL

At 5psi you will still be running hotter intake air temps than without a blower so anything you can do to cool the charge will help with HP and detonation control. Besides, 5psi sucks and I doubt you'll wanna stay at that level when you could easily cool the air and run 7-8psi

mdhmi

iTrader: (1)

The IC is nice to have, but, isn't a must.

Mark

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

Listen to F8LPONY. I have a non intercooled kit on my Tahoe. To say I was dissappointed was a serious understatement. With a non intercooled kit you cant run as much timing either. Im adding an alky kit to mine soon and going to 11psi. Its up to you, but you need some sort of intercooling . I didnt notice but you need to upgrade intake and run some good LT's and catback.

tici

iTrader: (1)

OK I could also go first with the non intercooled and see how it works... then buy the cooler in a second time (maybe used). It will cost more but I'll be able to see the difference.
Is this a compromise?

This is the thing: I'm REALLY afraid to mess up the thransmission. To rebuild it here it will cost me an arm and a leg... I just want to install the blower and forget it, as it was stock. Just dreaming? I sold my old 91 Firebird with 150'000 miles and it was still driving like new. Never changed a piece, just fill oil and gas... I just have the feeling that having too much boost the "new" Trans Am wont last that much...

tici

iTrader: (1)

greentahoe: LT's and catback are already here (TTS + Corsa).
Intake: you mean TB + manifold?

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

Its not blowers that kill transmissions, its the added power. There is no way around it. A big tranny cooler, shift kit, and servo's will buy you some time, but your driving habits will determine how fast it (tranny) goes. I have 75K on mine and no shift kit, but I have servo's and a big cooler. Im just hoping that it lasts until the end of the year when I get my FLP level 5 4L65 . You have to play to pay. If you triple the amount you think you will spend that will give you a more accurate idea of what is needed to be somewhat reliable. Prepare for alot of frustration.

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

By intake I meant a lid and free ram air mod. Thats what I did with mine and got 2# more boost and another 30rwhp!! TB and manifold are totally fine unless you want 700+.

tici

iTrader: (1)

...triple the amount I think to spend...
...frustration...

ok let me sleep on it. Here it's almost 2 AM and tomorrow is Monday.
Good night!

greentahoe

iTrader: (2)

Non intercooled Supercharger kit $3200
Thats all you are looking at correct??
Now add this
Install $700- $1000
LT headers $530 plus install
Stall converter $700
Alk kit $400
Tuning $1000 before it was right
Transmission $2500
I also needed
Posi $400 plus install
Injectors $400