Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Vortech repairs ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 11:59 AM
  #1  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default Vortech repairs ?

Ok, once again this damn thing has done the bearings.

I dont believe the belt was that tight, and it has been running the same belt, same tension since October, maybe some 2500-3000 miles or so.

So....I would say it is only the pulley shaft bearings, as whilst it is noisy, it still rotates freely by hand, and feels ok.

So can these bearings be bought for DIY repair ? or are Vortech the only people who can repair ?

Id prefer not to have to ship it back to the US for repairs, as i want it back running ASAP.


And then next query.

Ive tried several times to get someone to make me a strut brace. Initally people respond, then they ignore me.

Why is it so damn difficult to buy some parts from the US ???
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 04:57 PM
  #2  
Inspector12's Avatar
TT-TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,779
Likes: 4
From: Pearland
Default

Z8 Made the one PSJ was using on his old YSI setup etc... Might try giving them a call.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 08:20 PM
  #3  
RamAirTA's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Home Of The Show Stopper. APK, FL
Default

Hey StevieTurbo. I have a Vortech F-body system with a bearing problem also. Vortech says $750.00 for bearings and another $250.00 if it needs an impeller. They are out of thier F#%king mind. $250 for an impeller i can understand but another $750 for bearings, a seal and less than an hours worth of labor. Thats bull. I'm trying to source the bearings myself. Having trouble finding the one located right behind the impeller but i have a couple of other places to try. If anyone else has info, please help.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 12:31 PM
  #4  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

Send me you email, and I'll pass on the info Arun kindly sent me..
or he suggested this place.

http://www.superchargerrebuilds.com/listings.htm

Ive only partly stripped mine, but it is onlt the low speed bearings that are damaged.

I see no reason why the high speed side will have suffered, as it doesnt get loaded by the belt.
Also mine will have no impellor damage.

you can see clearly the pitting on the outer race...



compared to the good side ( same outer )



The inner bearing on the slow side might also be bad, but havent got that far yet.

Last edited by stevieturbo; Jun 5, 2007 at 12:36 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 12:34 PM
  #5  
JMBLOWNWS6's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels ,Tx
Default

Do NOT SEND IT TO THE ASSHAT on Ebay or http://www.superchargerrebuilds.com/


They are rip off's!
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 02:56 PM
  #6  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

thanks for the tip off !!!

I think I can do it myself though.....seems the bearings arent anything special, so I should be able to get them locally.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 03:01 PM
  #7  
DeltaT's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
Default

JMBLOWNWS6,

Just out of curiousity, why do you say that the supercharger rebuild place is a ripoff?

Thanks,

Jim
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 04:13 PM
  #8  
JMBLOWNWS6's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels ,Tx
Default

Originally Posted by DeltaT
JMBLOWNWS6,

Just out of curiousity, why do you say that the supercharger rebuild place is a ripoff?

Thanks,

Jim
If you recall a while back when I got my T trim kit. It came with a busted T trim. The bearings on the unit where bad. The impeller was fine and it needed a bearing replacement. The ABEC rating on these bearings needs to be 7 on the low and 9 on the high. This guy put the wrong bearings in mine. And instead of putting the proper seal on the gear side he put silicone And it gets better. There is also a small o ring type seal around the impller case and he didnt install it. Now what happened. I got the blower back and it looks fine. All put back together and I was happy. Charged me $450.00 for the rebuild. Which I thought WAS a good deal. Well I install the blower and start up the car and trashed the impeller. So I email him and call him numerous times. He replies he was on vacation. No problem. Well I told him I want a refund. He says well send me the blower back so I can fix it. I told him how can you fix the blower when you dont have access to a new impeller. He said Ill refund you for the bearings but not the labor. At this point I was pissed. I told him that wasnt good enuff and wanted all my money back. After a week of no refund I figured I lost out. So I sent my blower to Vortech for a Class 'B' return exchange. Ended up paying about $2400 for the new headunit. Then this guy decides he wants to refund me ONLY for the bearings saying I dont have proof. I told him, Do you want to see the receipt I have from Vortech? I send it and he still keeps the other $200 for labor So I told him a bunch of stuff I woudlnt type on here and went my way. He might have good feedbacks on ebay but he screwed me! And he knows it. I still have all the proof OF PURCHASE FROM VORTECH. He is a con artist if you ask me. And if your front seal goes bad just go to pervous bearing they have them.

Sorry for the rant but you asked

JMG

Last edited by JMBLOWNWS6; Jun 5, 2007 at 04:56 PM.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
big reg's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Is this a common problem with Vortech units? I am considering purchasing a used Vortech kit and this now has me reconsidering.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 06:38 PM
  #10  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

I would say my damage is due to excessive usage....

I am spinning it a bit hard, and perhaps my belt was a little tight...

There is circa 10,000 miles on it since it was last rebuilt, after I did tighten the **** out of the belt lol.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 07:04 PM
  #11  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

Originally Posted by Inspector12
Z8 Made the one PSJ was using on his old YSI setup etc... Might try giving them a call.
I did try last year...

Also tried Bob Kurgan's, even spoke to them on the phone and they said they could do it....

Then that was as far as that got.

I dont know why this kind of thing is so difficult. Maybe they just cant be arsed with international orders ?

Same when I tried to get a driveshaft made recently. emailed, and spoke on the phone about what I wanted, and they ( PST ) said they could build me it no problem.
So I emailed to confirm I was placing the order.....and I never heard from them again.

So I got fed up, and ordered a simple heavy steel shaft locally instead.


It aint easy living a few thousand miles away from the LSx home.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2007 | 07:45 PM
  #12  
94blownz281's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 0
Default

Maybe you could fins a board member who knows a place that would make it for you and paypal them and have them ship it to you? just a idea.

I bought a used S-trim and the guy said it had 1500 or so miles on it. before i lost the motor with a bad fuel pump and plugs car put down 400rwhp at 7psi. how would i know if there was anything wrong with my blower? only thing i noticed was the front seal shows a tiny bit of moisture but no leaks or signs of it leaking and allen bolts are tight.

If i was to remove all the bolts to check my bearing and seals how hard would it be to put the blower back together??

blower always sounded normal and didn't leak. but i blew head gaskets twice and wonder if the anitfreeze hurt the blower at all??
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2007 | 11:05 AM
  #13  
eb02z06's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 0
From: Waterloo, Ontario
Default

Sorry bro-I didn't mean to stear you the wrong way with the superchargerrebuild place-i heard from a another forum member on a mustang board that they where happy with the results and turnaround. It's honestly not that hard to rebuild a blower-just get the best bearings.
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2007 | 11:38 AM
  #14  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

Originally Posted by 94blownz281
Maybe you could fins a board member who knows a place that would make it for you and paypal them and have them ship it to you? just a idea.

I bought a used S-trim and the guy said it had 1500 or so miles on it. before i lost the motor with a bad fuel pump and plugs car put down 400rwhp at 7psi. how would i know if there was anything wrong with my blower? only thing i noticed was the front seal shows a tiny bit of moisture but no leaks or signs of it leaking and allen bolts are tight.

If i was to remove all the bolts to check my bearing and seals how hard would it be to put the blower back together??

blower always sounded normal and didn't leak. but i blew head gaskets twice and wonder if the anitfreeze hurt the blower at all??

If only life was so easy !!!

Antifreeze wouldnt hurt the blower. In a HG situation, its unlikely any water would ever make its way near the blower anyway.

The only thing wrong with mine, is as seen in the photos. The bearing nearest the blower pulley is bad. This has allowed this shaft to move a little, and the oil seal has started leaking.
BUT, the oil seal was partially damaged after a belt throwing incident, that wrapped the belt and some wiring around the shaft, forcing the seal inwards slightly.
That was last July.

Ive got it stripped, and assuming its a case of source bearings, re-fit etc, it looks pretty straight forward. A press is required though to remove and re-fit the bearings.

So its a case of finding the best possible bearing. I have a pair ordered, and are the best I can find at the minute, although I may still be exceeding their speed rating slightly at max rpm. But I am aware I am overspinning the blower....so who cares
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2007 | 09:25 PM
  #15  
Pro Stock John's Avatar
LS1Tech Co-Founder
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,355
Likes: 1,787
From: Chicago, IL
Default

My strutbrace was basically a combination of Chris and Bob's work, perhaps you can source the end pieces from Chris and then figure out the rod, make it threaded or something. Do you need pics?
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 05:30 AM
  #16  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

I have plenty of pics John of your setup, and several Mustang setups, which is how I ended up contacting Bob, so from those, I know pretty much exactly what I need.

But when guys over there obviously make them as a matter of routine so to speak, easiest option is to buy a complete setup. Well, it should be.

If I had machining facilities here myself, I could make one quite easily. But trying to explain it all to a numpty over here....thats another head banging session.

At the minute, getting the bearings installed is my priority. Im sure Ive seen "off the shelf" braces from CAPA in Australia. Again, Ive tried contacting a couple of Aussie guys.....and waiting.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 02:59 PM
  #17  
Pro Stock John's Avatar
LS1Tech Co-Founder
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,355
Likes: 1,787
From: Chicago, IL
Default

I'm curious to hear how your DIY bearing repair goes, keep us posted.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 06:19 PM
  #18  
Hennytime's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
From: winter springs, fl
Default

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John
I'm curious to hear how your DIY bearing repair goes, keep us posted.
+1...write-up and sticky is required with pics!!!
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 06:25 PM
  #19  
stevieturbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 13,616
Likes: 185
From: Norn Iron
Default

http://www.iamflip.com/images/supercharger_rebuild

Not mine obviously, and not a V7..but ya get the idea.
Reply
Old Jun 9, 2007 | 06:26 PM
  #20  
Hennytime's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 0
From: winter springs, fl
Default

Originally Posted by stevieturbo
save as...
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:58 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE