Performance wise, they are the same.
Engine oil or self-contained
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 2
From: Metairie Louisiana
Engine oil or self-contained
Doing a little FI research, on a daily driven no meth, pump gas, centri, what are the pros and cons for self contained lube or engine plumbed oil? thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 7
From: Oxnard SoCal www.aacorvette.com www.superchargersuperstore.com
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
I think the biggest "pro" to having a self-contained head unit is the isolation it gives you from contamination in engine oil. If small bits of crap get in your crankcase, they won't get to your SC.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
There have been a few cases of oil lines getting ripped off when a drive belt breaks. On the flip side, self-contained superchargers seem to show more goop and debris when taken apart, judging from pictures posted here.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 3
From: somewhere shooting my assault rifles
I have a belt guard between the crank pulley and oil line so if belt breaks it will not whip around and take out my oil line. I also have never seen any crap in my little inline mesh filter at the head unit either in 15K miles. I did however have the head unit eat a bearing race up and all the little pieces went down the drain line into the oil pan. No harm done I guess as the filter or pickup screen would catch any of it before circulating it back though..
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 541
Likes: 38
From: Temecula CA
I went with the self contained unit because I didn't like the idea of dirty engine oil circulating through the supercharger. These units only move air, so it should be very difficult for the oil in them to get contaminated, so it should stay clean for quite a while.
Phil
Phil
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I had lots of problems with a Novi 1200 engine oil fed backing up and leaking oil into the compressor side. Switched to a 1500 self contained and no issues since. The only way I'd go back to engine oil is if I upgrade to a Ysi and have no other choice.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 227
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Self contained
Biggest reason I wanted a self contained unit is the oil is made for that supercharger. That unit cranks out some high RPM's during use. The motor alone is breaking down your oil, didn't want anything else helping! If I upgrade then I may need to tap the pan down the road but not till then.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,049
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
Biggest reason I wanted a self contained unit is the oil is made for that supercharger. That unit cranks out some high RPM's during use. The motor alone is breaking down your oil, didn't want anything else helping! If I upgrade then I may need to tap the pan down the road but not till then.
You could argue and say that the internals in a self contained unit are breaking down and over time their constantly recirculating. Paxton is no small potatoes in the FI world and all the years on this forum I don't recall to much issues pointing at failure from crankase oil.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
So far, I have seen a few posts in favor of self contained. I have had both. No offense intended to anyone in favor of self contained but I think self contained units are overrated. I can tell you it doesn't help the supercharger head unit live longer. I had a self contained P1SC Procharger and after a mere 6 years/30K miles use, it developed a bad leak that even Procharger couldn't fix right the first time when it was sent to them. Plus, they're a pain to change the oil. Please correct me if I am in error but with an engine oil fed head unit, you have one less oil change to do!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Engine oils hold up well enough for superbike transmissions and wet clutches. Will an engine oil fed supercharger stress the oil more?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Orange Tx
Is there a price difference between self contained an oil feed. I'm putting a down payment down Monday on a a&a kit an he told me for self contained was $200 more.
I know there is no difference..
Should I say anything?
An I hope I didn't hi-jack the thread...
I know there is no difference..
Should I say anything?
An I hope I didn't hi-jack the thread...
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Depending on the manufacturer, the self contained can cost more. Specifically with the A&A Kit, the V2 Si-Trim to V3 Si-Trim upgrade is $150 and that price is set by A&A.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I have dynoed the YSi and that headunit gets really hot on the dyno. The oil temps are in the 220 range and that transfers to the headunit. The IAT's were reaching 170 degrees. When I dynoed my car in the same heat, my IAT's were in the 115 range. I am using the V3 Si-Trim on a LS3 Vette. The ambient temp was 100 degrees and will get some more data.
Last edited by Brian@RPT; Jul 10, 2011 at 08:03 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
I have installed the V2 on a 1999 Corvette LS1 and the IATs were stable in the 11x's. At the time, I did not measure the headunit temps. The ambient temps were in the high 90's. Damn TX heat. Not sure how hot the V2 got and would be intertesting to take IR readings in the future.