When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
From: Kentucky basketball is life the rest is just details
Re: ATI vs. Vortech (Go Low)
It's a debate that never ends :crazy: I personally chose the ATI because it makes more peak h/p and doesn't require drilling the oil pan. However, the ATI has had problems with belt slippage. I haven't experienced it, and I believe that the later kits have mostly worked the problem out but it has been a fairly common theme.
BTW, the Vortech SQ Trim is the quietest of the lot, IMHO. I kind of like the whistle of the ATI...it's not really overly loud, just enough to know that something's there. :cheers:
Both systems are strong. Unfortunately, most people will just vote for the one they have!
The key is getting a good installer/tuner! :cheers:
:iagree:
When Andy and A&A first got the Vortech SQ trim he said is sounded like an old 671. To me that means LOUD!
Andy may have been referring to the belt noise at idle and it's nothing like a 671, not even close. The SQ is, by far, the quietest LSx blower on the market. No sound, at all, at cruise speed. There are times when I wish it were louder.
:iagree: other than tuners, who has had any extensive experience with both systems? Slapping your stuff on the table because you own one product is a worthless recomendation.
I have the Vortech kit on my car so I might be a little bias. I have had it on my car for 8 months now and 6,000 miles. I have had NO negative issues with the kit. I have nothing but good things to say about it. In terms of noise, mine is VERY loud, but i wanted it that way. I went with the V1 blower instead of the stock one. I heard the stock one, and I can honestly say it sounded stock. I personally love the noise. Even though I have the loud one, I can barely hear it as highway speeds. It is promenant during idle. Most importantly, the power difference is AMAZING :yesnod: !
I do have a supercharger. I do not have an ATI or Vortech. I am very happy with what I have. If I had to choose between only those two, I would buy the Vortech. I researched my purchase for over a year. I'd rather ********** with an handful of broken glass than put myself through what MANY ATI guys have gone through. Granted, many of those problems maybe solved now, but I wasn't willing to take that chance.
ATI
1. Very tuner dependent experience due to some extra work to make the system perform flawlessly
2. Some kits with massive airflow potential
3. Air-air aftercooler is appropriate for those leery of anything aftermarket due to greater simplicity and for road racers for sustained boosted use
Vortech
1. Choice of sleeper G-Trim SQ or high output/proven T-Trim
2. Less hacking up your $50k Vette supposedly when all is said and done, however need to tap oil pan (best to get spare pan and have fitting professionally welded)
3. Air-water aftercooler has packaging advantages and far higher heat removal for the given pressure drop of the charge-air heat exchanger (analogy: ultra-high performance electronic cooling schemes use multi-phase gas-liquid thermal transport vs. single phase gas only). The low pressure drop for given heat removal rate means lower parastic losses for given mass airflow rate. Packaging + this reason are why OEMs prefer this for belt-driven S/C'd systems despite the added complexity of a separate water circuit and pump.
One word about charge air cooling efficiency. ATI advertises higher system efficiency but since they use only air-air you're talking about a huge charge air cooler for given heat removal rate. That higher pressure drop offsets the higher system efficiency. If you fix the pressure drop of the charge air cooler then an air-air unit removes very little heat despite high efficiency. High efficiency heat removal using just low density medium is not as good as moderate efficiency heat removal using a system high density medium and one could use the analogy for illustrative purposes: 90% of 10 is less than 60% of 100.
Many potential customers assume that the "tapping the oil pan" requirement is a negative for the Vortech system.
That's an incorrect assumption. I just wanted to drop in and quickly describe the benefits of this system and why Vortech chose to do it this way.
This maintenance-free lubrication system uses engine oil that is pre-filtered and injected directly onto the drive gears. Engine oil allows quicker warm-up, excellent reliability and superior cooling. Plus, it's continuously filtered and routinely changed (as part of your normal engine oil maintenance).
:cool:
Here are some quality features of the C5 Vortech supercharging kits...
* Vortech gear-driven supercharger with SQ Technology provides nearly silent operation with unmatched reliability
* Technologically advanced, high-efficiency impeller and housing design developed in Vortech's supercharger test cell
* Fuel system upgrades includes all components required for safe, dependable operation on today's engines
* Oil feed and oil drain assemblies deliver the best possible lubrication and cooling for the supercharger, even under sustained boost conditions
* Inlet and discharge duct connections utilize heat resistant silicon sleeves and premium quality stainless steel clamps
* OEM-type cast aluminum mounting bracketry for "factory installed" appearance and rigidity
* Supercharger drive system includes all the necessary belts, pulleys and tensioner
* Integrated air-to-water, dual-pass charge cooler configuration allows for additional horsepower gains and features a sealed, maintenance-free design
* Compatible with factory OBD II engine management systems
* Vortech 3-year limited warranty
* Emissions legal in all 50 states
* All of the C5 Vortech supercharging kits we sell include tuning by Vortech that is specific for the model year, engine, and Corvette application.