Down Side to Super Chargers
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 16
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Down Side to Super Chargers
I have a C-5 and want to supercharge it. Other then the cost, what is the down side to supercharging the engine? Will it reduce engine life? Create problems with other parts?
Barry
Barry
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by Bluewaters48
I have a C-5 and want to supercharge it. Other then the cost, what is the down side to supercharging the engine? Will it reduce engine life? Create problems with other parts?
Barry
Barry
If you decide to start doing some track days on a roadcourse the supercharger puts too much stress on the engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 37,048
Likes: 69
From: This city NEVER sleeps! Frank's back yard!
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
If you decide to start doing some track days on a roadcourse the supercharger puts too much stress on the engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Pros:
-- Big bang for the buck
-- Lots of fun.
-- Make lots of power and maintain stockness (with stock H/C).
Cons:
-- Expensive initial costs
-- Potential for belt slip
-- Worn bearings / broken idlers / pulleys
-- Additional weight (although I haven't noticed this with my setup).
The list could go on and on with either section but I'm sure you get the idea.
Cheers,
Mark
-- Big bang for the buck
-- Lots of fun.
-- Make lots of power and maintain stockness (with stock H/C).
Cons:
-- Expensive initial costs
-- Potential for belt slip
-- Worn bearings / broken idlers / pulleys
-- Additional weight (although I haven't noticed this with my setup).
The list could go on and on with either section but I'm sure you get the idea.
Cheers,
Mark
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St. Jude Donor '09
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by DDSLT5
Hah? I would say the day at the track stresses the engine - if the supercharger is well designed (as most are) and the tune is appropriate (as most should be) then there is no problem running the car hard all day long. The myth that forced induction puts undue stress on an engine is an old and well liked one by many misinformed - the highest stress you can put on any engine is running it at or close to its redline - the shearing stress placed on the connecting rods and the piston wrist pins is massive at these high rpm levels - way more stress than running 10 psi of forced induction at 500 rpm lower.
I have to ask. Have you run a "add on" supercharged car on a roadcourse all day? I can't remember anybody making it. It's usually the auto transmission that has trouble first but right behind that is coolant problems. Also, few good roadcourse drivers, that are at it long run their engines "at or close to redline" repeatedly if they intend to do this kind of actvity on a repeated basis. Come out to the track with us. The C5 with the hood up missing a lot of the sessions, is usually, the one that is supercharged. Just my, "misinformed", 4+ years of instructing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,911
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From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
I have to ask. Have you run a "add on" supercharged car on a roadcourse all day? I can't remember anybody making it. It's usually the auto transmission that has trouble first but right behind that is coolant problems. Also, few good roadcourse drivers, that are at it long run their engines "at or close to redline" repeatedly if they intend to do this kind of actvity on a repeated basis. Come out to the track with us. The C5 with the hood up missing a lot of the sessions, is usually, the one that is supercharged. Just my, "misinformed", 4+ years of instructing.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,411
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From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by EFI-1
Rich, check the LPE website for ShannonZ06 as he whips everyones *** around the track in his Magnacharged Z, for what looked like all day.
Just my personal experience. I have been wrong before.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by EFI-1
Rich, check the LPE website for ShannonZ06 as he whips everyones *** around the track in his Magnacharged Z, for what looked like all day.
He never finished a 30 min run and went in early on all runs. Why? he said tooo much heat, his coolent and especialy his oil temp was sky high. Also he waisted two sets of new brake pads and a set of rotors. I think the pads where ZO6 pads.
His big downfall was heat. He said the road course was fun but was going to stick to drag racing, no corners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
I have to ask. Have you run a "add on" supercharged car on a roadcourse all day? I can't remember anybody making it. It's usually the auto transmission that has trouble first but right behind that is coolant problems. Also, few good roadcourse drivers, that are at it long run their engines "at or close to redline" repeatedly if they intend to do this kind of actvity on a repeated basis. Come out to the track with us. The C5 with the hood up missing a lot of the sessions, is usually, the one that is supercharged. Just my, "misinformed", 4+ years of instructing.
Look in the FI section at JBsblownc5. Big time roadracer with a big time Vortech.
Several members of my club in Houston running chargers for road courses with no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
I have to ask. Have you run a "add on" supercharged car on a roadcourse all day? I can't remember anybody making it. It's usually the auto transmission that has trouble first but right behind that is coolant problems. Also, few good roadcourse drivers, that are at it long run their engines "at or close to redline" repeatedly if they intend to do this kind of actvity on a repeated basis. Come out to the track with us. The C5 with the hood up missing a lot of the sessions, is usually, the one that is supercharged. Just my, "misinformed", 4+ years of instructing.
The stock A4 tranny will not last under these conditions. Consider an FLP tranny in your budget for hard driving. You will also need a high cap radiator, oil cooler, and A4 tranny coolers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by DDSLT5
Hah? I would say the day at the track stresses the engine - if the supercharger is well designed (as most are) and the tune is appropriate (as most should be) then there is no problem running the car hard all day long. The myth that forced induction puts undue stress on an engine is an old and well liked one by many misinformed - the highest stress you can put on any engine is running it at or close to its redline - the shearing stress placed on the connecting rods and the piston wrist pins is massive at these high rpm levels - way more stress than running 10 psi of forced induction at 500 rpm lower.
Near redline engine speeds wear out parts faster than lower rpm levels with boost. If your worrying about wearing out your motor prematurely...leave it stock.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
Originally Posted by DDSLT5
Hah? I would say the day at the track stresses the engine - if the supercharger is well designed (as most are) and the tune is appropriate (as most should be) then there is no problem running the car hard all day long. The myth that forced induction puts undue stress on an engine is an old and well liked one by many misinformed - the highest stress you can put on any engine is running it at or close to its redline - the shearing stress placed on the connecting rods and the piston wrist pins is massive at these high rpm levels - way more stress than running 10 psi of forced induction at 500 rpm lower.