Super Charged '04 Engine
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 597
From: Question Government
Super Charged '04 Engine
I'm looking at a privately owned '04 automatic with under 39,000 miles on it, in apparently very good condition. The price also within my budget. The engine has a Magnuson Supercharger installed and a Borla exhaust. What are the pros and cons of this set up? If it drives well and passes Ca. smog testing, should I go for it?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 597
From: Question Government
BUT, assuming the car wasn't harshly raced, is there any negative to this Supercharger setup such as more wear on engine parts etc? I'm not experienced with Superchargers or the installation.
Last edited by RetroGuy; Nov 8, 2020 at 07:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 597
From: Question Government
Has more mods...
I called the owner who also told me a cam and headers were installed on this '04, along with the Supercharger and Borla exhaust. I'm very suspicious that this car had to be raced / tracked with these mods. The current owner said items were installed by previous owner and he never personally raced the car. Knowing about all these mods, what should I look for on a test drive and/or be concerned about? I'll be meeting the owner Monday for a test drive.
Last edited by RetroGuy; Nov 8, 2020 at 09:36 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Dundee, MI
With so few miles on it I doubt it was abused. Even if it was raced, that doesn't mean it will have an issue. Depends on the tune. If the timing is reasonable and the afr is right, it can live as long as it would have otherwise. What cam does it have? Cam was done in 2004...have valve springs been changed since? Who tuned it? Those are questions I'd ask.
Last edited by Tang2; Nov 9, 2020 at 07:36 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 746
If you're in CA and are worried about smog, I'd personally recommend steering clear of a H/C blower car. As long as you keep getting lucky enough to pass at a private smog station, all is well...but if you are unlucky enough to get sent to the state ref for various reasons, the blower can come off with relative ease, but swapping out the cam and heads is a bit more involved...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 746
It's a shame we have to pass on stuff like that, sounded like a nice car. I just got done with an expensive state ref shakedown on my C5, so I cringe when I see other people in CA thinking they're all good as long as it will pass a sniffer test. Just like you, all I wanted was a weekend/fun car. I just can't leave well enough alone and hit a long, expensive streak of bad luck lol.
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