Supercharging--pros and cons?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton CA
Supercharging--pros and cons?
I have a stock 2004 A4 and I'm seriously considering the new Vortech system offered at A and A Corvettes. BTW my car is pretty much a DD so I need reliability and driveability but that 150 hp increase sounds tempting
Before I invest $8500 I'd like to hear from others who have added a blower.
Would you do it again?
What did you gain?
What did you sacrifice?
Before I invest $8500 I'd like to hear from others who have added a blower.
Would you do it again?
What did you gain?
What did you sacrifice?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Originally Posted by 04yellowman
Would you do it again?
Originally Posted by 04yellowman
What did you gain?
Originally Posted by 04yellowman
What did you sacrifice?
Mark
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 14
From: Mandeville Louisiana
yes id do it 100099809 more times this is my 5th 447.7 whp base whp is like 302 i think? nonlything i loss what the money lol i drive the car everyday has 80 000 miles on it.Andys kits are great kits and he has exellent custemer service.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Here
Pilot of Beer Force 1
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I believe in the Beer Fairy
I gained about a 100RWHP with my Maggie and conservative tune.....would do it again
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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Pros: The power, the sound, the attitude
Cons: unexpectedly expected exploitation of the weak OEM links (drive shafts, tranny, couplers, etc) and realize that you'll ALWAYS want more once you get a taste of real hp.
Would I do it again? Yesiree.
Cons: unexpectedly expected exploitation of the weak OEM links (drive shafts, tranny, couplers, etc) and realize that you'll ALWAYS want more once you get a taste of real hp.
Would I do it again? Yesiree.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,188
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From: New Blue 9.80 @ 142MPH stock motor
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08
Looks like the LS2 402 setup with the Paxton blower will get us into the 8s and over 1,000 HP.
That's making some power and I would do it again. Not saying turbo's aren't great too. We'll see what we can do with one next year.
That's making some power and I would do it again. Not saying turbo's aren't great too. We'll see what we can do with one next year.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by QuickSilver2002
Pros : huge sinister smile on your face
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
VR
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,599
Likes: 1,717
From: Converse TX
Originally Posted by QuickSilver2002
Pros : huge sinister smile on your face
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
Cons are reliability and you will want more as time goes on
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Originally Posted by QuickSilver2002
Pros : huge sinister smile on your face
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
Cons: a huge hole in your pocket
Seriously, reliability can go way down. And you will be spending way more than you initially planned.
I would, without a doubt, do it again. I think reliability will be an issue if you beat the **** out of your car. On the other hand, if you can keep your foot out of it 98% of the time, and only go for quick short bursts to get a feel of the overwhelming power you'll have, your car will hold up just fine. But seriously, plan on spending at least $2500 more than your already planning. Something always pops up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Yea - I would budget $2,000 - $3,000 / year for maintenance. Clutches, trans, etc.
About driving the car 98% of the time normally. lol. Why blow $20K on a power adder not to beat the **** out of it?
Mark
About driving the car 98% of the time normally. lol. Why blow $20K on a power adder not to beat the **** out of it?
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
Originally Posted by mdhmi
Yea - I would budget $2,000 - $3,000 / year for maintenance. Clutches, trans, etc.
About driving the car 98% of the time normally. lol. Why blow $20K on a power adder not to beat the **** out of it?
Mark
About driving the car 98% of the time normally. lol. Why blow $20K on a power adder not to beat the **** out of it?
Mark
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Supercharging is very reliable and inexpensive (comparably) but the installation is crutial. If you live near Andy I would let him do the installation, this seams to make or break it very often.
This IS coming from someone who beats the ever living snot out of his S/C C5.
This IS coming from someone who beats the ever living snot out of his S/C C5.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
I understand where you are coming from. Nothing wrong with trying to avoid breaking things.
I stopped drag racing as I felt that was just asking for things to break, but, you can still chew through parts on the street.
To minimize driveline carnage I usually don't get on it down low. For me, what is most fun with a 600+ rwhp car is doing 40-140 pulls on the freeway.
Cheers,
Mark
I stopped drag racing as I felt that was just asking for things to break, but, you can still chew through parts on the street.
To minimize driveline carnage I usually don't get on it down low. For me, what is most fun with a 600+ rwhp car is doing 40-140 pulls on the freeway.
Cheers,
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
Originally Posted by DOUG @ ECS
Supercharging is very reliable and inexpensive (comparably) but the installation is crutial. If you live near Andy I would let him do the installation, this seams to make or break it very often.
This IS coming from someone who beats the ever living snot out of his S/C C5.
This IS coming from someone who beats the ever living snot out of his S/C C5.
NCM, WSCC &amp;amp; SCC Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 1
www.synergymotorsports.net
As was stated earlier by Mark, Steve, others, I would set aside quite a good budget for FI induction to make it a reliable daily driver.
The ECS kit is the best centrifigul kit I have seen for a daily driver and we have seen a half dozen+ different kits or so.
Installation is crutial.
Brent
P.S. Synergy is located in Northern California.
The ECS kit is the best centrifigul kit I have seen for a daily driver and we have seen a half dozen+ different kits or so.
Installation is crutial.
Brent
P.S. Synergy is located in Northern California.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Originally Posted by 04yellowman
I have a stock 2004 A4 and I'm seriously considering the new Vortech system offered at A and A Corvettes. BTW my car is pretty much a DD so I need reliability and driveability but that 150 hp increase sounds tempting
Before I invest $8500 I'd like to hear from others who have added a blower.
Would you do it again?
What did you gain?
What did you sacrifice?
Before I invest $8500 I'd like to hear from others who have added a blower.
Would you do it again?
What did you gain?
What did you sacrifice?
with turbos - NO belt slippage - no supercharger to have aligned - no changing to an 8 rib setup necessary
i have no regrets buying a supercharged car - but next one will be TT for sure
i can't answer the other questions, as like i said, i bought the car this way - so hope my tidbits may have helped!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
I did my install myself and was told my stock clutch wouldnt last long with the additional torque. Two weeks later I ordered a clutch kit, i got maybe 5 good rips out of it then when i would bang it into 3rd i could feel the clutch slipping. If its already in the shop you might as well get the clutch done so you dont have to put her in the shop again.