Supercharger or Not
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
Wow! As said many times before, a lot of great information from you folks. I will check out "the guy from "Iowa". I am not in a hurry here. Can't even drive right now. I have to have the other eye cut on when this one heals. That gives me time to research this supercharger idea. I don't see the high prices holding too far into cold weather. I appreciate all the input. Facts are great, but experience and opinion can go a long way too. I'm not saying I won't hit a track/strip once in a while. We have some fairly local places around here to try out, I'm just not interested in a regular visit there. I already have a Sunday driver. Just looking for a little more. Thanks again for all the input!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 376
From: San Jose, CA
I agree with Mr. Black....totally. I have a built LS7 in my C5. There is something to be said for a great sounding, great running, naturally aspirated engine. However, in my humble opinion, a blown engine is going to be more reliable long term. The engine will have stock reliability 99% of the time, because you're not on boost 99% of the time. I'm friends with a guy who has an A&A kit on an '02 Z06. he's driven it for over 10 years with no engine trouble of any kind. 2 years ago, he did alter things a bit by adding a different cam, nothing wild, but it's potent enough now that it has made just over 650whp. No problem yet. So we'll see. You'll pay several thousand more initially, but it will tend to equal out thru the years, by not needing new valvesprings, etc....
I'd always go NA for a car intended for the track with my experiences.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
I'm by no means an LS expert but it's always been my understanding even if it's a misunderstanding that on an LS1/LS6 which C5s have that the rods will shoot out the side of the block before you need to worry about top ring gap.
I think you can safely make 600 or maybe even 700wheel on a stock bottom end without opening up the top ring gap on a good tune. Short burst of power should be fine.
Gonna go standing mile or half mile racing and it will probably butt the rings eventually.
I think you can safely make 600 or maybe even 700wheel on a stock bottom end without opening up the top ring gap on a good tune. Short burst of power should be fine.
Gonna go standing mile or half mile racing and it will probably butt the rings eventually.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
I have a supercharged LS1 and I disagree on reliability. Now, one major reason for that is because this isn't my daily driver - a good portion of my runtime is driving to, from, or on a closed-course event, and even just street driving I try to spend as much time having fun out in the boonies as possible. Which means the boost is on. Definitely the time spent out of boost is less than 99% of the time for me.
I'd always go NA for a car intended for the track with my experiences.
I'd always go NA for a car intended for the track with my experiences.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
Likes: 1,531
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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My 2 cents stick to cars that you are use to. You dont sound
like a hotrodder by the question you are asking. There are
plenty of non-aspirated vettes out on the market. They are
cheap right now. It is no use getting over your head.
Good luck
like a hotrodder by the question you are asking. There are
plenty of non-aspirated vettes out on the market. They are
cheap right now. It is no use getting over your head.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
However, I am no stranger to the strip.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,717
Likes: 7,326
From: CT
I haven't tracked the current market, but it seems to me that if you had the time and ability it might be less expensive to get a stockish car and install a fresh blower kit and come out ahead on funds.
As for a blower on these engines? I find it is a great idea. I ran my 99 with 10psi for several years on stock heads/cam and thought "this is how these cars should have come from the factory."
To address the almost awkward comment about balance.... just moving the battery to the trunk would offset half the weight of a blower and intercooler on the nose. Putting the driver on a diet never hurt, either. And I agree about those who do / do not push these cars. If a purchase is intended as a track car (meaning race course) then I'd opt for higher miles, tastefully modded, NA to fit most classes and keep the overall expense lower. But for a street driver who hits the strip? Blower cars are AWESOME. The key in its entirety is going to be the tune itself. If I bought someone else's project with a blower (and I have) I would by default have the car re-tuned to ensure it has a good safety margin. Once that is done.....? DRIVE THE WHEELS OFF IT because it will be an awesome car.
As for a blower on these engines? I find it is a great idea. I ran my 99 with 10psi for several years on stock heads/cam and thought "this is how these cars should have come from the factory."
To address the almost awkward comment about balance.... just moving the battery to the trunk would offset half the weight of a blower and intercooler on the nose. Putting the driver on a diet never hurt, either. And I agree about those who do / do not push these cars. If a purchase is intended as a track car (meaning race course) then I'd opt for higher miles, tastefully modded, NA to fit most classes and keep the overall expense lower. But for a street driver who hits the strip? Blower cars are AWESOME. The key in its entirety is going to be the tune itself. If I bought someone else's project with a blower (and I have) I would by default have the car re-tuned to ensure it has a good safety margin. Once that is done.....? DRIVE THE WHEELS OFF IT because it will be an awesome car.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: South Hill Wa
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Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: CT
Ha! I'm on the Covid roller coaster. Went into it last year at 252, dropped down to 207, now back to 237 and needing to get back on the bike.
When your weight impacts your trap speed.... that's a problem. LOL. But not much of one when your car has a blower, right?
When your weight impacts your trap speed.... that's a problem. LOL. But not much of one when your car has a blower, right?