Should I even think of Supercharging?
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 931
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
Should I even think of Supercharging? Here's my deal, I am six months into paying a 20 thousand dollar loan on 02 Formula. On the one hand it would be nice to have some extra power, and I could probably swing the 5 or 6 grand to make it happen, but here's the question. The LS1 has been out since what 98 or so. Are these SC kits perfected yet, or does it make sense to hold out a year or two and wait for refinements. This is exactly not a high ptiority item for me at this point, and just want the pros opinions (and others) as to the level of refinement of these kits at this point. Is there substantial room for improvment or? Thanks all.
Regards,
Regards,
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? hey, since no one else is jumping i will give my $.02 worth, these kits are very refined and reliable at the standard boost level or "stage one kits" waiting another 2 years wont help much unless you are waiting for a turbo set up, it sounds like there are some cool things hapening in the turbo dept.
here is most peoples problem, no mater how much faster the car is after the SC you will want more eventualy, weather it is more boost or some slicks and a stall, once you go past the standard kit things may start breaking, i have heard you can trash the stock rear with just slicks and a stall on a stock motor.
my personal experience, i put a whipple super charger on my truck, droped 1.4sec et in the 1/4 and have been happy for a few months. now that nice weather is here i need more, more is easy enuff just cost money but more power will start breaking parts and cost even more money. oh well, i need it!! i think unless you have alot of extra cash to blow mabey you should get some nitrous, but if you have money to burn a blower is more fun.
here is most peoples problem, no mater how much faster the car is after the SC you will want more eventualy, weather it is more boost or some slicks and a stall, once you go past the standard kit things may start breaking, i have heard you can trash the stock rear with just slicks and a stall on a stock motor.
my personal experience, i put a whipple super charger on my truck, droped 1.4sec et in the 1/4 and have been happy for a few months. now that nice weather is here i need more, more is easy enuff just cost money but more power will start breaking parts and cost even more money. oh well, i need it!! i think unless you have alot of extra cash to blow mabey you should get some nitrous, but if you have money to burn a blower is more fun.
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? I looked into the Vortech for my '98 Z28, but the guy who runs the shop that was supposed to do it warned me that it would cost a LOT more than the six grand or so installed; that I'd also need a new clutch and that the rear axle was almost certain to break so by the time all was said and done, it's well over $10,000 to do it properly (i.e., in such a way as not to leave one stranded somewhere!) including headers and a low restriction exhaust, recalibration, 2 catalytic converters (this IS California! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> ), the beefed up rear axle and subframe connectors, etc...
Hey; at least he was honest with me. Most shop owners would simply have made the sale and not told me about the problems that users have been experiencing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />
Hey; at least he was honest with me. Most shop owners would simply have made the sale and not told me about the problems that users have been experiencing. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? Its all about what YOU want to do with YOUR car:
Look around, there are many people with 400 plus HP/TQ and still running stock rears. However, these aren't the people who run ET streets every week at the track. Run nittos or regular radials and don't try to cut a 1.6 60' everytime. Get a "TA" cover for some extra strength and be somewhat gentle on the launch. Building a fast drag car is VERY expensive. Building a badass street/strip car is reasonable. Simple.
I would get a new clutch. Buy a RAM set-up, its cheap, and holds the power.
You don't have to buy headers for a supercharger and turbos use manifolds. Headers HELP performance alot but aren't necessary.
If you run a reasonable amount of boost (3-9 psi) you'll be fine. The kits come with everything necessary: big injectors, tuning, etc. Most are truly just "bolt-on" kits.
My .02...Get the new LS1 motorsports single turbo kit <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> When i get the cash together, that'll be my choice.
Look around, there are many people with 400 plus HP/TQ and still running stock rears. However, these aren't the people who run ET streets every week at the track. Run nittos or regular radials and don't try to cut a 1.6 60' everytime. Get a "TA" cover for some extra strength and be somewhat gentle on the launch. Building a fast drag car is VERY expensive. Building a badass street/strip car is reasonable. Simple.
I would get a new clutch. Buy a RAM set-up, its cheap, and holds the power.
You don't have to buy headers for a supercharger and turbos use manifolds. Headers HELP performance alot but aren't necessary.
If you run a reasonable amount of boost (3-9 psi) you'll be fine. The kits come with everything necessary: big injectors, tuning, etc. Most are truly just "bolt-on" kits.
My .02...Get the new LS1 motorsports single turbo kit <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> When i get the cash together, that'll be my choice.
Tire Smoking Tranny Blowing Director
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,130
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From: Barto PA
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? I dont know I been running over 500 and still on the stock rear. The trans is a hole other story though <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? My opinion is you should enjoy what you get for that 20k loan for a while <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> At least one season.
Lots of car there stock. You can get into lapping, auto cross, drag racing etc and have ALLOT of fun without going into debt another 5k for more power.
You will end up spending 5k on maint for your brakes, rotors, clutch, tires etc in no time.
Joel
Lots of car there stock. You can get into lapping, auto cross, drag racing etc and have ALLOT of fun without going into debt another 5k for more power.
You will end up spending 5k on maint for your brakes, rotors, clutch, tires etc in no time.
Joel
10 Second Club
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Re: Should I even think of Supercharging? The crank pulley is almost guaranteed to spin on the crank and damage it. Get the crank dowel pin kit ($120.00) This should be part of any supercharger kit. Pay close attention to even a hint of detonation. I just cooked my motor and it really didn't detonate that bad + when it happens at WOT its hard to back out before damage is done. My kit came with the Superchips program but the car would ping with 93 + octane boost. I should have done something about the programming. On the positive side the Vortech kit is superbly designed and the power (with no codes) was outstanding. The downside of the Vortech is that it can not kit safely go much futher up on boost without risking damage to the blower. The ATI can go to higher boost levels. I'm in the process of rebuilding my block. At least this time all my bases should be covered. P.S. the fuel pump noise on the Vortech is obnoxious, I relocated it to the trunk inside of a pvc tube packed with plumbers putty and then covered it with blankets. Its not too terrible now.
