Vortech C5 supercharger
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo CA.
Vortech C5 supercharger
I was just wondering why does it seem like nobody uses the Vortech C5 supercharger kits. Every C5 I see has a Magnuson, ATI or the A&A kit. Not putting any of those kits down, just curious why. I had Vortech kits on two differnt Mustangs some time ago and there stuff was amesome. I never had any problems at all with the S-trim or T-trim blowers. Any ideas ? 
http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/...0corvette.html
http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/...0corvette.html
Last edited by OOBlackconvert; Jul 27, 2005 at 01:39 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
The Vortech C5 kit is/was problematic for many of us. Some people still have them and some of us removed them and went in other directions.
There are known problems (that Vortech won't acknowledge) with belt alignment that causes belt shredding or breakage. Normally Vortech stuff is awesome but the C5 kit didn't work out that way.
There are known problems (that Vortech won't acknowledge) with belt alignment that causes belt shredding or breakage. Normally Vortech stuff is awesome but the C5 kit didn't work out that way.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
If your heart is set on a Vortech for your C5 you might consider giving Phil @ DTE a ring. Last I heard he was working on a custom Vortech setup (to address the problems with the factory setup).
Good Luck,
Mark
Good Luck,
Mark
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 2
From: IL
I just sold my 2002 Vorteched C5. The car was awesome! Wicked fast! There have been many issues with the belts, but Most of it comes down to proper installation.
as far as I know, Vortech is finally Acknowledging the issue. The guy who bought my car shredded a belt, and at no charge Vortech is sending him a brand new, new designed bracket set up!
Now, If you wanna go Vortech, there is one in the parts section for $3500!!!! 99 F1-C Vette is selling! Good luck man!
as far as I know, Vortech is finally Acknowledging the issue. The guy who bought my car shredded a belt, and at no charge Vortech is sending him a brand new, new designed bracket set up!
Now, If you wanna go Vortech, there is one in the parts section for $3500!!!! 99 F1-C Vette is selling! Good luck man!
916/795 rwhp C5R 412 YSI
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
I've recently shredded 2 SC belts since I upgraded to the T-trim. I guess the extra load of a T-trim over that of the S-trim is causing the strain. I have always run my cogged belts a little loose because too tight of a belt would make the jackshaft pulley bearing wear out too fast and I've been through 2 of those already. Vortech makes a nice kit, but the aluminum jackshaft brackets are easy to warp from over tightening the belt. When things heat up and expand the belt gets even tighter. RANT!!! Sorry... I think you get the idea... I love my kit when it works. I got over 7k miles last go around w/o problems, then upgraded to a T-trim and now I'm working out a new set of problems. I'm sure I'll get it stabilized. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: PA
Originally Posted by mdhmi
If your heart is set on a Vortech for your C5 you might consider giving Phil @ DTE a ring. Last I heard he was working on a custom Vortech setup (to address the problems with the factory setup).
Good Luck,
Mark
Good Luck,
Mark
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
I currently have an RMCR supercharger setup on mine. It uses many Vortech parts in combination with a bunch of parts custom manufactured by RMCR. I have been very happy with mine. It is available with either a S-Trim or T-Trim head unit. They also have one car with a JT-Trim head unit on it. The RMCR setup has to be installed by them. It is not available in kit form.
Other than that and the rumor of the DTE setup the only other one that I am aware of is the BlowerWorks/Carroll kit. I don't know anything about their C5 kit but the Carroll setup that my dad has on his 93 C4 is still going strong after 12 years of being on his car.
Other than that and the rumor of the DTE setup the only other one that I am aware of is the BlowerWorks/Carroll kit. I don't know anything about their C5 kit but the Carroll setup that my dad has on his 93 C4 is still going strong after 12 years of being on his car.
Originally Posted by ProtoVette
I would like to know if he has a custom set-up. Anyone here know of and tuners/vendors with a good Vortech set-up?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Washington, USA
It's all about pulley alignment. I went through FOUR belts in a month right after my T-Trim install, only to find out my power steering pulley was out of alignment (too far forward). I pulled everything apart, realigned, reinstalled, and crossed my fingers. So far, I'm on the same gates belt for a month now, and even the rev limiter (which introduces harmonics into the belt slack which is a worse case for jumping off of a pulley) doesn't throw belts.
Collections Hold
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
mdhmi is indeed correct.
For the last few months we've been perfecting a new main serpantine drive system that *completely* eliminates the common Vortech belt shredding/jumping issue once and for all. There is no one "silver bullet" fix to address and/or correct this issue, but rather a number of refinements in many areas that culminate to the final solution to the problem.
We have an alpha prototype kit on Z06 Tom's 675+ RWHP T-trim 346, M6 car and another beta prototype kit on a 613+ RWHP T-trim 383 A4 car. Both kits have been very successful thus far and the negative belt issues have been completely resolved so farto date. We've *tried* to make something fail, but have not been successful.
As further in-field testing is completed and is successful as planned, these kits should be available in approx. 6-7 weeks when production is completely underway.
For the last few months we've been perfecting a new main serpantine drive system that *completely* eliminates the common Vortech belt shredding/jumping issue once and for all. There is no one "silver bullet" fix to address and/or correct this issue, but rather a number of refinements in many areas that culminate to the final solution to the problem.
We have an alpha prototype kit on Z06 Tom's 675+ RWHP T-trim 346, M6 car and another beta prototype kit on a 613+ RWHP T-trim 383 A4 car. Both kits have been very successful thus far and the negative belt issues have been completely resolved so farto date. We've *tried* to make something fail, but have not been successful.
As further in-field testing is completed and is successful as planned, these kits should be available in approx. 6-7 weeks when production is completely underway.
916/795 rwhp C5R 412 YSI
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DynoTech Engineering
mdhmi is indeed correct.
For the last few months we've been perfecting a new main serpantine drive system that *completely* eliminates the common Vortech belt shredding/jumping issue once and for all. There is no one "silver bullet" fix to address and/or correct this issue, but rather a number of refinements in many areas that culminate to the final solution to the problem.
We have an alpha prototype kit on Z06 Tom's 675+ RWHP T-trim 346, M6 car and another beta prototype kit on a 613+ RWHP T-trim 383 A4 car. Both kits have been very successful thus far and the negative belt issues have been completely resolved so farto date. We've *tried* to make something fail, but have not been successful.
As further in-field testing is completed and is successful as planned, these kits should be available in approx. 6-7 weeks when production is completely underway.
For the last few months we've been perfecting a new main serpantine drive system that *completely* eliminates the common Vortech belt shredding/jumping issue once and for all. There is no one "silver bullet" fix to address and/or correct this issue, but rather a number of refinements in many areas that culminate to the final solution to the problem.
We have an alpha prototype kit on Z06 Tom's 675+ RWHP T-trim 346, M6 car and another beta prototype kit on a 613+ RWHP T-trim 383 A4 car. Both kits have been very successful thus far and the negative belt issues have been completely resolved so farto date. We've *tried* to make something fail, but have not been successful.
As further in-field testing is completed and is successful as planned, these kits should be available in approx. 6-7 weeks when production is completely underway.
My recent upgrade from an S-trim to a T-trim has caused me to start shredding Cogged belts. I've replaced the complete jackshaft mounting bracket and all the pulleys and still shreaded a belt. The last one actually sheered the teeth off the jackshaft pulley itself.
I'm not sure what is causing the problem. The compressor seems to spin easy when no belt is on and the pulley's visually look aligned. I'd be interested if you have improvements to the Vortech kit in this area.Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,315
Likes: 50
From: East Strouds PA
I am buying a c5 intercooled system for my 2000 gmc truck-I'll have to make it work--what kind of HP do you think it'll make?I am glads to see eome discussion about the Vortech because there is very littleand I know very little about it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
From: Washington, USA
Originally Posted by speedz06
I am buying a c5 intercooled system for my 2000 gmc truck-I'll have to make it work--what kind of HP do you think it'll make?I am glads to see eome discussion about the Vortech because there is very littleand I know very little about it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Camarillo CA.
I guess with all the recent 
drama regarding ATI we will see some new SC kits with Vortech and Paxton blowers. I can't wait to see Andy's Vortech A&A kit. 
Andy, if you need a car to test fit let me know.
drama regarding ATI we will see some new SC kits with Vortech and Paxton blowers. I can't wait to see Andy's Vortech A&A kit. Andy, if you need a car to test fit let me know.
Last edited by OOBlackconvert; Aug 3, 2005 at 01:59 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
I have the vortech kit , I installed it myself and did throw a belt after a few days. I noticed the day before there was a slight groove in the middle of the belt . Since i did install i knew the only thing that comes close to hitting the belt is the clamp for the return oil from blower to pan . I extended the fitting with a 1 1/2 piece of brass pipe and have not had any problems since. Two other people i have spoke with since had thrown belts and had the car sent in were the install was done and they put a new belt on which eventually got thrown again. they were afraid to rev there car not wanting to throw a belt . both of them checked into it and sure enough that was where problem too.
