Supercharge or Turbo
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis MO
Supercharge or Turbo
Well I have decided to do some mods on my 01. It is completely stock with about 45k miles. I am considering either putting on a turbo or supercharger. I am leaning towards a supercharger if only for the fact that all of our other cars have turbo chargers and I hate the lag. Even though over the years it has been less of a pain.
I don't want to do allot of other upgrades so which setup would you recommend? For those that have made these mods I would appreciate any feedback based upon your experiences.
I don't want to do allot of other upgrades so which setup would you recommend? For those that have made these mods I would appreciate any feedback based upon your experiences.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
From what I understand, you will still have lag with centrifugal superchargers. If you don't want lag, you need a twin screw. The problem with twin screws, is you deal with heat soak. The companies that make twin screws for C5s, currently, are Kenne Bell, Magnusun, and that new Dragon supercharger. TechCo is entering the GM market, but haven't offered anything for the LS1.
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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The turbo's produce alot of heat (naturally) and for that
reason this time I went with a SC.
reason this time I went with a SC.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Ca
From what I understand, you will still have lag with centrifugal superchargers. If you don't want lag, you need a twin screw. The problem with twin screws, is you deal with heat soak. The companies that make twin screws for C5s, currently, are Kenne Bell, Magnusun, and that new Dragon supercharger. TechCo is entering the GM market, but haven't offered anything for the LS1.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
From what I understand, you will still have lag with centrifugal superchargers. If you don't want lag, you need a twin screw. The problem with twin screws, is you deal with heat soak. The companies that make twin screws for C5s, currently, are Kenne Bell, Magnusun, and that new Dragon supercharger. TechCo is entering the GM market, but haven't offered anything for the LS1.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I love the heat debate.
Go with what twists your nipples the right way. Each system has its pluses and minuses. Research some more, and ride in a few cars with all the systems you are interested in. Make and EDUCATED decision based on real world information, not just whats hot and whats not.
Go with what twists your nipples the right way. Each system has its pluses and minuses. Research some more, and ride in a few cars with all the systems you are interested in. Make and EDUCATED decision based on real world information, not just whats hot and whats not.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim Ca
I love the heat debate.
Go with what twists your nipples the right way. Each system has its pluses and minuses. Research some more, and ride in a few cars with all the systems you are interested in. Make and EDUCATED decision based on real world information, not just whats hot and whats not.
Go with what twists your nipples the right way. Each system has its pluses and minuses. Research some more, and ride in a few cars with all the systems you are interested in. Make and EDUCATED decision based on real world information, not just whats hot and whats not.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 833
Likes: 2
From: Pembroke, GA
Good advice TXZ!
But for reading pleasure!!
Here is what I have on my car all the basics IMO to run effectively. Do I experience lag? sure from idle till about 3000-ish RPM's then its on!!
D1SC Pro-Charger Polished 7lbs
Vortech Mondo Bypass Valve
Polished Brackets
A&A FMIC
Snow Performance Meth
Internals--
1.7 Harland Sharp Rockers
Manley Hardened Push Rods
Patriot "Gold" Springs
Titanium Retainers
Fuel--
FAST 90mm Intake Ported by Vengeance Racing
Nick Williams 90mm Ported Polished TB
42lb Inj
KB Boost a Pump
Exhaust--
American Racing Long Tube Headers & X-Pipe
Corsa Touring Cat Back
Clutch--
Monster Clutch STG 3
Tick Performance Adj Master Cylinder Kit
Tick Performance Remote SPEEDbleeder Line
But for reading pleasure!!
Here is what I have on my car all the basics IMO to run effectively. Do I experience lag? sure from idle till about 3000-ish RPM's then its on!!
D1SC Pro-Charger Polished 7lbs
Vortech Mondo Bypass Valve
Polished Brackets
A&A FMIC
Snow Performance Meth
Internals--
1.7 Harland Sharp Rockers
Manley Hardened Push Rods
Patriot "Gold" Springs
Titanium Retainers
Fuel--
FAST 90mm Intake Ported by Vengeance Racing
Nick Williams 90mm Ported Polished TB
42lb Inj
KB Boost a Pump
Exhaust--
American Racing Long Tube Headers & X-Pipe
Corsa Touring Cat Back
Clutch--
Monster Clutch STG 3
Tick Performance Adj Master Cylinder Kit
Tick Performance Remote SPEEDbleeder Line
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis MO
Thanks for your feedback. Some more information based on that feedback.
Car is completely stock
Automatic
Performance handling package
3.15 gears
And just in case it matters the car is a rag top
The three other cars we have are all turbo and happen to all be German
A4 2.0T
A6 2.7T
Passat 2.0T
Car is completely stock
Automatic
Performance handling package
3.15 gears
And just in case it matters the car is a rag top
The three other cars we have are all turbo and happen to all be German
A4 2.0T
A6 2.7T
Passat 2.0T
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
As far as Turbo's having lag goes, if set-up correctly there should be very little if any lag. It seems to me that you're looking for simplicity. If that's the case, then I would go with a Supercharger. There are different types to choose from as stated above. I would do some more research and/or take a ride in some cars with these different kits and see what would best fit your driving style. No matter if the car is making power thru a Turbo or Supercharger...boost is a LOT of fun!!! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
If your other cars are 4 or even 6 cylinders, the lag will be completely different with the vette (edit: just saw your last post above -- a turbo on a V8 will be nothing like what you've experienced -- waaaay more fun). If you stay sane on the turbo sizing, you won't even notice the lag.
My 1000+ hp silverado SS makes boost at 1500rpm (it makes about 5psi at 1500) -- its actually scary enough to hit so much power so soon in the rpm curve that I don't exactly know when it hits full boost... It's twins, though, so I can run smaller turbos to avoid some lag.
Previously, I ran a rear mount single at around 800hp and had full boost (16psi) by 3200rpm. It did huff a bit at redline, but its not a race vehicle and I consciously decided to go for more fun at the cost of a few HP at peak. Both setups were with a purpose built 408.
On stock cubes I ran a single GT67 rear mount and had full boost (10psi) at 3000rpm.
Having said all that, a cent. S/C will also lag, but not like a turbo. It will just make less power as it spins up. A roots or modified roots type blower is the king of that instant torque feeling, but size your turbos right and you can have similar performance.
My 1000+ hp silverado SS makes boost at 1500rpm (it makes about 5psi at 1500) -- its actually scary enough to hit so much power so soon in the rpm curve that I don't exactly know when it hits full boost... It's twins, though, so I can run smaller turbos to avoid some lag.
Previously, I ran a rear mount single at around 800hp and had full boost (16psi) by 3200rpm. It did huff a bit at redline, but its not a race vehicle and I consciously decided to go for more fun at the cost of a few HP at peak. Both setups were with a purpose built 408.
On stock cubes I ran a single GT67 rear mount and had full boost (10psi) at 3000rpm.
Having said all that, a cent. S/C will also lag, but not like a turbo. It will just make less power as it spins up. A roots or modified roots type blower is the king of that instant torque feeling, but size your turbos right and you can have similar performance.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
You will also have a high compression engine. If you have cars from the factory with turbos, then they have, probably, low compression. Lag will be less.
I was merely pointing out that power graphs look the same when you compare centris and turbos (high hp at the end). A roots style supercharger will have an almost flat, horizontal torque curve.
I used to own an STi, and they have top mount intercoolers. That heat soak wasn't terrible. It seemed to be a pain for the tuners, but I think those were the ones trying to create dyno queens.
I think you will have fun no matter your choice!
I was merely pointing out that power graphs look the same when you compare centris and turbos (high hp at the end). A roots style supercharger will have an almost flat, horizontal torque curve.
I used to own an STi, and they have top mount intercoolers. That heat soak wasn't terrible. It seemed to be a pain for the tuners, but I think those were the ones trying to create dyno queens.
I think you will have fun no matter your choice!