I’m interested in getting a supercharger either later this month or early December (depending on when I decide which one to get) for my 2004 C5 Z06. I had sent emails out to some vendors hopefully will hear back from them soon on their recommendations, but in the meantime wanted to solicit the opinions of the group. I’ve read through quite a few of the threads, both in this group and a few of the others about superchargers. While I have done modifications to my car over the years, this will be my first venture into supercharging, and so have quite a few questions.

My criteria are as follows:
Stock engine
Donaldson Blackwing intake
QTP Tri-Y headers with hi-flow cats and electric exhaust cut-outs

• I would prefer to do the installation myself, and then have it tuned.
• With regard to performance vs. reliability, I would lean toward reliability. Reliability is more important to me than maximum horsepower.
• Don’t plan on going to the track, but will be sticking to street driving.
• May go to forged block in future, but no immediate plans to do so.

I have read over the instructions for the procharger, and the vortech installs and believe the install is something I want to do myself. What I hope to do, is the complete install with all the recommended add-ons and then be able to assure myself that it is reliable (no belt breaking, overheating, etc.) before moving on to any other mods.

With the above in mind, here are my questions:

Do all of the kits require modification to the existing car that are not reversible if I decide to remove the kit in the future, say if I were to sell the car?

What boost is recommended? From what I have read here, it seems to be 8 psi, although other boards say up to 10 psi.

6 rib or 8 rib belt? Some seem to recommend going to an 8 rib belt. Why?

Do all the kits have belt alignment problems or is it most prevalent in the Procharger kits? Has this been resolved with their new kit? I have already bought the Gates belt alignment tool as that seems to be the best to help in installation.

Are the brackets in the Procharger kit prone to problems? How has everyone dealt with that?

Are there problems with the belt tensioner? How has that been dealt with ?

Any overheating issues? Should I consider changing out the radiator from the start? I live in NJ so with traffic issues in the summer, I wouldn’t want the car to overheat.

What do I need besides the supercharger package for the complete install;
Electric fuel pump upgrade?
Electric water pump?
Is methyl injection necessary?
Gauges?

Is there anything else I may have missed?

Finally, what are your recommendations for which unit to go with?

Sorry for being so long-winded, but have been researching this quite a bit, and find the more I read, the more confused I get, and do appreciate the input from those with experience on this board.

Ray

 

with the stock motor. I would still go with the procharger D1SC unit. the 8 rib is to keep the belt from slipping. the unit is self contained, which means you wont have to worry about tapping the oil pan or any oil return lines from the head unit. hope this helps. sorry I dont know everything but that is what I know.

 

I've been very happy with my Vortech V9 G-trim set up. I still do consider myself a noob when it comes to forced induction, so I decided to play it safe and get the install and tune at the very same location. Over 400+ hp to the wheels thats plenty for now (stock bottom end)

 

wow that polished vortech sure does stick out. looks great.

 

The down side tot he vortech on a F-body is all that piping has to come off to change the plugs....... it looks good but the stock head unit the vortechs come with run out of breath before the D1-SC does..... Give A&A Corvette a call. there a sponsor to the left...........>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kyle

 

1. There is a Procharger kit for sale in the for sale forum. Check it out.

2. With the above in mind, here are my questions:

Do all of the kits require modification to the existing car that are not reversible if I decide to remove the kit in the future, say if I were to sell the car?

All kits are bolt on applications which can be removed at a later date

What boost is recommended? From what I have read here, it seems to be 8 psi, although other boards say up to 10 psi.

Depends on how fast you wanna go. Typically 8psi is a norm on a stock motor. Check out Exotic Performance Plus's website. They have a few procharged customer cars on there. Give them a call to point you in the right direction

6 rib or 8 rib belt? Some seem to recommend going to an 8 rib belt. Why?

8 rib reduces belt slip

Do all the kits have belt alignment problems or is it most prevalent in the Procharger kits? Has this been resolved with their new kit? I have already bought the Gates belt alignment tool as that seems to be the best to help in installation.

No one I saw ever had alignment problems. The kits are well engineered

Are the brackets in the Procharger kit prone to problems? How has everyone dealt with that?

No problems

Are there problems with the belt tensioner? How has that been dealt with ?

SDCE 8rib tensioner system, do a search

Any overheating issues? Should I consider changing out the radiator from the start? I live in NJ so with traffic issues in the summer, I wouldn’t want the car to overheat.

People run a 160 t-stat normally

What do I need besides the supercharger package for the complete install;
Electric fuel pump upgrade?
Electric water pump?
Is methyl injection necessary?
Gauges?

Fuel: 255 intank pump, fuel pressure gauge. No water pump necessary. No meth injection needed on a 8psi setup. Maybe if you build the motor and pulley it up

Is there anything else I may have missed?

Yes, search on the boards. There is TONS of information available. Research other peoples setups and decide exactly what you want the car to do once it is done, i.e. drag car w/ tons of power = built motor and all supporting mods or a street car, stock motor, 8psi daily driver. You have to have an end goal and then build the car for that.

Finally, what are your recommendations for which unit to go with?

Build the motor and slap a D1SC on there!!!!

Good luck
Andy

 

Best kit to go with would either be the A&A vortec kit or ECS paxton kit. Both specialize in vettes, and their kits are proven. Powerwise, they range from 500rwhp (stock c5) to 700+rwhp (224cam and headers).

On the vortec kit, I believe you have to punch a hole in the oil pan, but on Andy's kit, he may have come up with a way to avoid that.

I wouldn't run more than 8lbs of boost. Yes, plenty of people do and are ok, but if you want dependability, 8lbs with a very good tune should do for awhile.

Unless you're absolutely positive you're not going with higher boost down the road (which doesn't seem likely seeing that you are already considering going with a forged block), you might as well go with the 8rib to begin with. It'll help stop belt slippage at higher boost.

I'm not too sure about your alignment question, but I've read about the vette guys buying some sort of laser alignment tool.

I think Procharger has improved their brackets, but again, the best way to go is the A&A or ECS brackets.

You may want to consider going with the Evans water pump and coolant. It doesn't necessarily lower the cooling temps dramatically...just flows alot more than stock.

I just noticed you're in NJ, so give Chris and Doug a call at ECS. They are very knowledgeable and service oriented. I talked to Chris and he still answered all my questions even though I don't have a vette !

Good luck.

Gary

 

With the revised bracketry design on the C5 from ATI ProCharger, you won't have any problems. The ATI ProCharger system is indeed reversible, and since there is no tapping of the oil pan, no contamination of the engine's oil to the supercharger, and vice versa can happen.
Keep in mind the head from an F body is different than what is used on the C5, as the unit is turned around.
I have C5 ATI ProCharger ATI ProCharger installed pic's in the customer and project car sections of my website. Bob

 

The G trim unit from Vortech is plenty capable of making 600 to the wheels.
With respect to reliability, Vortech is a well engineered system, especially for the iat's you can encompass with the air to water aftercooler.
My iat's never go above 95 degrees.

Talk to A + A Corvette he's the most experienced with the Vette Superchargers.

 

I replied to your e-mail yesterday. Thanks for inquiring! Bob