Supercharger or Not
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
Supercharger or Not
I know nothing about superchargers other than they are pricey. I'm looking to purchase a 2003 Z06 with a Vortech V2 Supercharger. The car has 21xxx miles on it. I'm a little worried that the supercharger will severely limit engine life. As in, when something goes wrong it'll be a BOOM instead of a tick tick tick or some similar fix. I have no intentions of racing it, just want it for my selfish pleasure. In the "Old Days" superchargers, turbos and the like meant new engine time when anything went wrong. I plan on keeping the vette 'till I'm dead, so I'd really like it to last. Ant opinions or experiences out there? Thanks!
Popular Reply
Sep 20, 2021, 07:46 PM
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Driven responsibly and maintained accordingly your engine has a chance of living it's normal lifespan.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 7,407
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Driven responsibly and maintained accordingly your engine has a chance of living it's normal lifespan.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 425
From: Indiana Cornfield
Driven responsibly and maintained accordingly your engine has a chance of living it's normal lifespan.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
Great advice.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Stock piston rings aren’t gapped for boost. The #7 cylinder is a known weak point when aggressive with boost/tune.
If you leave a lot of slack in the tune (low timing, rich on fuel) it can live a long time even with the issues mentioned.
You can run a hotter tune and have meth injection as a safety net. You can pull the shortblock and have a machine shop install forged rods/pistons planning to run boost.... that’s not expensive if you’re a gearhead and do your own work. After that you can really make some power.
If you leave a lot of slack in the tune (low timing, rich on fuel) it can live a long time even with the issues mentioned.
You can run a hotter tune and have meth injection as a safety net. You can pull the shortblock and have a machine shop install forged rods/pistons planning to run boost.... that’s not expensive if you’re a gearhead and do your own work. After that you can really make some power.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
That's just it. A dealer has it in Indianapolis Indiana, about 120 miles away. I'll try and see if I can get the previous owner's info and contact them with questions. As I said, I don't have enough knowledge of these things to check pressure and such. Sounds to me like I need to buy a Z without and added it myself. That way I know what I have. Maybe the dealer will work with me if he wants a sale. They also want too much for it in my opinion at $32.8k for a 2003. It's a sellers market as someone said.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 23
From: Louisville KY
That's just it. A dealer has it in Indianapolis Indiana, about 120 miles away. I'll try and see if I can get the previous owner's info and contact them with questions. As I said, I don't have enough knowledge of these things to check pressure and such. Sounds to me like I need to buy a Z without and added it myself. That way I know what I have. Maybe the dealer will work with me if he wants a sale. They also want too much for it in my opinion at $32.8k for a 2003. It's a sellers market as someone said.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
I wouldn't buy one that had a blower unless I knew the history. If you're just going out for a drive on a lazy Sunday afternoon there is no reason for a blower. If you're at the track every weekend things wear out faster. Have it gone over by a mechanic you trust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,632
Likes: 3,333
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I've had an A&A supercharger on my '04 convertible for several years now. I have been very happy with it. I have 98K miles on it, and it's running great! As others have said, it's all about the tune. If you can find a shop you trust to go over the car really well, they should be able to spot any serious issues. If it has a good tune, you shouldn't have any issues. Personally, I'm running 10PSI with no serious issues. If I were you, I would drive it, and see what you think.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 442
Likes: 103
i wouldnt worry about it. buy the car, dont beat on it and take it to a tuner you trust to have the tune gone through. tell your tuner youre not chasing power numbers but longevity. i see absolutely no reason why the car wouldnt be reliable and survive normal driving (including spirited runs on the weekends) and live to see over 100k miles. the key will be the tune and how you treat it. it can be bone stock and die at a young age if abused and mistreated. buy the car, swap out the valve springs if they are still yellow, buy the column lock bypass, get it retuned and enjoy it. youll love it.
you could probably even see if they will give a 30 day warranty on it. that gives you plenty of time to look it over and get it set up.
you could probably even see if they will give a 30 day warranty on it. that gives you plenty of time to look it over and get it set up.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 365
Likes: 48
Diamond Motorworks in Lisle IL has 2002 z06 black supercharged with 33,000 miles for $28,900. She is beautiful, black.
Check it out. I don’t know how to put link here but if you will google it, you will fond it.
Its much nicer then the one in Indiana.
Check it out. I don’t know how to put link here but if you will google it, you will fond it.
Its much nicer then the one in Indiana.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 243
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
just checked their website out… nice cars but wow! Seems like their pricing is extremely high. 😳
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 214
From: Charlestown IN
Cruise-In V Veteran
Thanks for the advice folks. I am recovering from eye surgery at the moment, which makes this message tough to type. When I can see well again I'll look into this more. And JoeJ, I won't pay that much if that is their firm price. I just hadn't thought of buying a supercharged Z until I stumbled onto this one. Yours does sound tempting however.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
Driven responsibly and maintained accordingly your engine has a chance of living it's normal lifespan.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
If the tune is aggressive that can shorten life real quick. If it's tuned to be friendly but still make power it will be fine.
If it's tuned to make power and you race it at the drag strip every weekend you will probably be going through the motor once every couple years if it makes real power.
If I were buying a blower car from someone I didn't know I would want to do a leakdown check and an Oil pressure check and maybe even look inside the oil filter just for peace of mind.
It's always a tough call when you didn't build it yourself or know its history.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
That's just it. A dealer has it in Indianapolis Indiana, about 120 miles away. I'll try and see if I can get the previous owner's info and contact them with questions. As I said, I don't have enough knowledge of these things to check pressure and such. Sounds to me like I need to buy a Z without and added it myself. That way I know what I have. Maybe the dealer will work with me if he wants a sale. They also want too much for it in my opinion at $32.8k for a 2003. It's a sellers market as someone said.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 365
Likes: 48
He has 2002 Z06 black with only 25,000 miles.
A lot of receipts from the dealership for breaks, AC ….. . Very well maintained.
you can find his add at CarGurus and I think Auto Trader.
His phone number is: +1 (309) 230-7329.
You won’t be disappointed, it’s all original car.
I wanted to buy it but C6 showed up and I took it.
Good luck buddy
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 595
From: Prescott, Arizona
The major structural parts of a stock engine are strong enough for low boost. Hot Rod Magazine's Freiburger once boosted a 4.8 L LS clear to 1000 HP on the dyno, but FIRST disassembled the engine and increased the ring gap for boost.
Under boost, top piston ring temperature can rise to a point that in an engine with stock ring gap, the top ring gap closes, often on No. 7, and can pull that piston apart and or crack that cylinder wall.
Take note of what Wiseco says about ring gap for boosted engines vs normally aspirated street engines. Top ring gap on a 4" bore stock engine is about 0.016". Boosted top ring gap for 4" bore should be about 0.028"
http://blog.wiseco.com/everything-yo...about-ring-gap
Under boost, top piston ring temperature can rise to a point that in an engine with stock ring gap, the top ring gap closes, often on No. 7, and can pull that piston apart and or crack that cylinder wall.
Take note of what Wiseco says about ring gap for boosted engines vs normally aspirated street engines. Top ring gap on a 4" bore stock engine is about 0.016". Boosted top ring gap for 4" bore should be about 0.028"
http://blog.wiseco.com/everything-yo...about-ring-gap
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Throws off the weight balance and adds weight to the car. Which ruins the whole ethos of what the car was designed to be- a lightweight road carver or track weapon.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Sep 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,097
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
There is absolutely some truth to this for sure. Funny thing is though very few drive these cars in a way they were intended to. I say have fun with it however you'd like.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 7,407
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The major structural parts of a stock engine are strong enough for low boost. Hot Rod Magazine's Freiburger once boosted a 4.8 L LS clear to 1000 HP on the dyno, but FIRST disassembled the engine and increased the ring gap for boost.
Under boost, top piston ring temperature can rise to a point that in an engine with stock ring gap, the top ring gap closes, often on No. 7, and can pull that piston apart and or crack that cylinder wall.
Take note of what Wiseco says about ring gap for boosted engines vs normally aspirated street engines. Top ring gap on a 4" bore stock engine is about 0.016". Boosted top ring gap for 4" bore should be about 0.028"
http://blog.wiseco.com/everything-yo...about-ring-gap
Under boost, top piston ring temperature can rise to a point that in an engine with stock ring gap, the top ring gap closes, often on No. 7, and can pull that piston apart and or crack that cylinder wall.
Take note of what Wiseco says about ring gap for boosted engines vs normally aspirated street engines. Top ring gap on a 4" bore stock engine is about 0.016". Boosted top ring gap for 4" bore should be about 0.028"
http://blog.wiseco.com/everything-yo...about-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.