supercharger or turbo
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: NJ
supercharger or turbo i have a basically stock trans am ws6. i am planning to do alot but i would like some opinions please. should i put a supercharger, turbo or all engine work? please leave some comments and explanations. thanks
well first of all, are you gonna be running it on the stock block. second, how much power do you plan on making in the long run. third, is money a problem? FI gets VERY expensive if you dont do the run of the mill setup. has to include fuel, preferrably a forged motor so you dont blow your ****, tuning, suspension, etc... the list goes on and on.
but i would start off with those three questions to help decide which route you wanna go.
also, does it have to pass smog? i opted for going turbo because its much more efficient. on properly built setups, theres no lag, you dont have parasitic loss of a supercharger, and your not always in boost unless you want to...
but i would start off with those three questions to help decide which route you wanna go.
also, does it have to pass smog? i opted for going turbo because its much more efficient. on properly built setups, theres no lag, you dont have parasitic loss of a supercharger, and your not always in boost unless you want to...
I got my kit from phamspeed it is a turbo and IMHO the only way to go!!
All info on new kit is here
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/323548-phamspeed-budget-kit-retail-prices-now-up.html
All info on thier move is here his name here is LT1-7 in this post
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/309199-changes-phamspeed-budget-kits.html
You can read about my build up with the phamspeed single kit here https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/324044-my-24-hour-pham-single-install.html
You can read about my results with my kit here https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/339836-phamspeed-dyno-results.html
Unfortunatly he is no longer a sponser on teh forums so they dont allow thier name to be spoken. Im not sure why they do this when they have mopved into a shop that is a sponser on teh forums here but i guess when you want money you want all of it. I hope this helps you out man. If you have anyother questions drop me a PM so we can talk and not get locked everytime. GL
John
All info on new kit is here
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/323548-phamspeed-budget-kit-retail-prices-now-up.html
All info on thier move is here his name here is LT1-7 in this post
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/309199-changes-phamspeed-budget-kits.html
You can read about my build up with the phamspeed single kit here https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/324044-my-24-hour-pham-single-install.html
You can read about my results with my kit here https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/339836-phamspeed-dyno-results.html
Unfortunatly he is no longer a sponser on teh forums so they dont allow thier name to be spoken. Im not sure why they do this when they have mopved into a shop that is a sponser on teh forums here but i guess when you want money you want all of it. I hope this helps you out man. If you have anyother questions drop me a PM so we can talk and not get locked everytime. GL
John
If you go turbo... go with a real turbo setup... big single or twins. Procharger/Vortech is another good route to go. I like ATI since you don't have to chop the hood if you have an SS. If you plan on running more than 7psi or more plan on an engine rebuild... not IF, but when. If you want to keep the stock engine for a long time keep the boost lower than 7. Either way you'll make good streetable power. 
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
what about the vortech kits they make that are making 9 psi right outta the box. Is that not a reliable way to go with these engines. Also if i went with a 5 psi turbo would the engine still be alright. Also i am talking about the sts kit. I love it i am just debaiting on how much stuff it may break right off the go. I may just go silly with a cam and get a nice trans that will handle the power and leave it at that. Since all thy do is break. opinions please for all you biased peeps. 
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So I'm grasping you want the stock engine to live for a while right? Well then a Procharger at 5 or 7 psi should do the trick. I wouldn't rule Vortech out either. I'm thinking since the vortech blower doesn't flow nearly as well as the ATI... 9psi might be comparable to 7psi on an ATI. Boost doesn't equal power or airflow... just restriction between the blower, and the cylinders.
About STS... I've been there and done that. Fit and finish kinda sucks on it. Installation time is waaay understated. Instructions sucks. Turbo does hang down pretty effin low... I tweaked everything I could, hangers, exhaust, turbine housing... and the bitch was still awful low. The only thing they didn't lie about was that it makes good power. I never got it to the dyno, but it felt at least as fast as a 400 rwhp cobra I rode in. Oh it doesn't really spool up until about 3500-4000 too.
Yes 5psi of anything the engine will last for a long time. The LS1 is a very stout engine out of the box, but just to be realistic above 475 rwhp... plan on a rebuild. You should keep a small side of cash aside anyways some engines last longer than others making big power.
You can also make 400+ with heads/cam/headers. Just depends on what you want... **** I have I hard time deciding myself...
About STS... I've been there and done that. Fit and finish kinda sucks on it. Installation time is waaay understated. Instructions sucks. Turbo does hang down pretty effin low... I tweaked everything I could, hangers, exhaust, turbine housing... and the bitch was still awful low. The only thing they didn't lie about was that it makes good power. I never got it to the dyno, but it felt at least as fast as a 400 rwhp cobra I rode in. Oh it doesn't really spool up until about 3500-4000 too.
Yes 5psi of anything the engine will last for a long time. The LS1 is a very stout engine out of the box, but just to be realistic above 475 rwhp... plan on a rebuild. You should keep a small side of cash aside anyways some engines last longer than others making big power.
You can also make 400+ with heads/cam/headers. Just depends on what you want... **** I have I hard time deciding myself...
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 21
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i hear ya on that. I hear these cars running a 110 cam and just think man that sounds awfull nice. But then i remember that i really like the sounds fo the supercharged cars like my gtp i used to have. But i really like turbos for their power. So really i am stuck. I know with heads and a cam i will problably last longer. WIth a blower i will get the sound and have a great powerband. With a turbo i can wait till the upper rpm and samsh it and get all that boost. This car may end up being a weekend only driver. May go get the taurus and drive it. So when i break the tranny i will be able to park it and still get to work. OHH the decisions 
i would think that a turbo is also easier on an engine. its an exponential, but gradual amount of pressure put on the motor, as compared to a supercharger hitting it at all points throughout the rpm.
plus i LOVE that sound of the "Wooooosh" while its spooling.
nothing cooler
plus i LOVE that sound of the "Wooooosh" while its spooling.
nothing cooler
go turbo. i had 2 head/cam packages 1 made 430rwhp the other made 455rwhp. yes they were fun but if i could do it over again, id do what im doing now....forged the bottom end and get a turbo...or 2 turbos in my case. that way you dont have to worry about the bottom end. plus your gonna save alot of money because i GAURUNTEE down the road your going to want more power and that means forged the bottom end so save yourself alot of money and get it done now.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
i thought about throwing a head and cam package on. Then in a bout a year forging the bottem end and adding the boost. I was just going to run a good stout cam that i could eventually add a boosted applica to the monster. ho knows i may just go 5psi for now and see what happens.
Launching!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I decided to go with the procharger. I have clearance issues, since my cars lowered. Plus the headers, ORY, and Magnaflow.........well you get it, going with the procharger is the best way to go. Adding a turbo isn't practical with my mods I have now. I'm going with 7 psi. Its not cheap, but I wanted to take it over the top, from normal modified to exciting. I went with the better procharger so if I want to make the engine stronger, the supercharger can easily keep up. Since your stock you can go either way. Hopefully its getting installed in the next 30 days.
