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I have several questions and would appreciate any advice. First, at the risk of showing my ignorance, what are the key differences between a Vortech style supercharger and a root style - other than the mechanics? They appear to be comparably priced. Advantages of one over the other? Is one easier on the block and do most owners experience any shortened life of their engines with superchargers in general? I have a new C5 2004 all stock.
Also, I personally like the quite car. Can I add a supercharger without touching the exhaust?
Finally, There are stage kits that include heads, a cam, headers, that cost as much as a supercharger. Isn't less work to go directly to a super charger. Or do both systems just work toward doubling the HP, etc?? If so, is it recommended to do one before the other?
Thanks for the suggestion. Starting out, I was looking for some very straight-forward advise/ideas. This is just what I was looking for.
I find your suggestion on the forged engine and bottom end interesting. What I have read about the LS1 engine is that it's bullit proof, and thought it was made to take these type of ad-ons. Could you elaborate?
Thanks for the suggestion. Starting out, I was looking for some very straight-forward advise/ideas. This is just what I was looking for.
I find your suggestion on the forged engine and bottom end interesting. What I have read about the LS1 engine is that it's bullit proof, and thought it was made to take these type of ad-ons. Could you elaborate?
Dude - do a search! This entire forum discusses this type of stuff.
No the LS1 is not bullet proof. Most folks say that around 550 rwp you are pressing your luck. Also CR is very high to be boosting more than about 5-6 psi. If you want to make serious power you will eventually need to forge your bottom end and lower CR to about 9:1
if you're happy w/ 500whp or less, stay w/ your stock motor & do a Magnuson or soon to be released KB twin screw.
If you want bigger power get the motor forged and the custom SIC procharger kit. Just remember you'll also have to upgrade everything else, bigger stickier tires, beefup trans & diff. etc...
The Vortech blower has more room for aftercoolers to lower the intake charge temperature.
The Roots/Eaton/Whipple blowers come on boost very early but top out at lower pressure 5 psig vs. 6.5-8 psig for the Vortech.
For a quiet car add an x-pipe and a Z06 Ti cat-back.
The staged head/cam kits will boost hp but only 73 to 90 hp by themselves.
The blower[s] will add 110 to 138 hp to a stock LS1/6 engine not double the engine power.
Do the blower first with the exhaust, then do the heads/cam with a dyno tune each time.
You may want to do a forged engine and bottom end as well for longevity.
Uh... Vortech SC's are capable of making more depending on which setup you are running. I'm making 12 PSI and double stock LS1 power of 350FWHP @ ~745FWHP That is on stock heads and stock bottom end.... But that is with the help of a few other mods like cam and alky
I agree with you.. Forged engine should be done if you plan on making big power!
Last edited by c52k1vert; Jul 8, 2005 at 10:07 PM.
Thanks to all (even "Dude - do a search")for the advise. I did some searching but I'm always looking for the latest advice. I've decided to start with two modest modifications. I'm going to replace the entire exhaust starting with long tube ceramic coated headers, finishing with a zo6 exhaust. Also, upgrading to a cam package. Will consider a SC later and keep my eyes open for the KB twin screw mentioned.