New to the C Forum
just bought a 2008 C6. Would like to know- advantages/disadv of spending $7K for a Supercharger or spend same amount of money on NA with extras.
thanks

 

It's pretty simple. You will never get the power N/A compared to FI!

 

I was looking at the Procharger... Any issues?

 

Very true. You will also never spend as much on NA as FI.

Both statements are broad generalizations. While FI certainly has the potential to make much more power, up to as much as 2 hp/ci in reasonably streetable trim, doing so reliably will require reworking much of the car, with resultant expense and validation issues. NA is limited to about 1.4 hp/ci, but requires far fewer changes to the car, and hence less expense and fewer validation issues.

In reality, the question cannot be answered without a budget goal, present and future, a power goal, present and future, and also considerations such as how and how much the car is to be driven, the owner's tolerance for "hot rod stuff", and the owner's tolerance for risk of part failure.

To the OP: if your present and future budget is only $7k, I would suggest a reasonably modest NA build, not FI. There are very, very few people who have put an FI system on a Vette and run it for any length of time for $7k total. More typical expenditures are at least $12k, and $30-50k is quite common in FI circles. But, if you have very modest FI goals, and you can avoid "scope creep", it is possible to put a centri setup on a Vette for $7k. It even makes for a very nice car. But you have to have a lot of discipline. And a good tuner.

 

Mine's been on for 3 years. The one problem I had was a leaking seal, sent it back to ATI under warranty and had it back in 4 days. I would buy it again. I've also had a Vortech, which I will never buy again.

 

thanks for the great feedback guys. I have lot of work to do..checking/comparing both...
Thanks!

 

First off Welcome to the Forum. As you see already you will get a bazillion different opinions on which way to go. Go to the F/I section and start reading. For the record, after much research of my own, my car in in the shop right now getting a Vortech T trim installed.

 

Not necessarily true....note that a fully built, naturally aspirated Lingenfelter engine costs significantly more than the 'typical' FI application. Personally, I think you're better off with a fully built, naturally aspirated motor as opposed to slapping a supercharger (FI) on a stock, cast-piston engine. I haven't priced fully built Katech engines in quite a while but I suspect they're on a level with LPE. I'm sure you can find shops charging less...Lingenfelter and Katech are IMO the premier shops in the Country for Corvette 'engine' performance.

There are pros and cons either way you go. Here's an old thread with some interesting observations on the NA/FI subject:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1527668

 

Very much in concurrence with member Gannet’s (post#4) perspective as well as accounting for personal experience with FI power as a phenomenal sensation when unleashed. A tuner is pivotal as is a disciplined temperament a requisite.

 

Translated in english means what?

 

I think your "Personal" goals are most important... example if its a weekend driver, & your just going to ride around town & take trips but like the "KICK IN THE AZZ" a FI is fine...

But for me I prefer a naturally aspirated motor because I "Bracket Race" almost every weekend during the summer, and to me "Consistency" is more important than all out speed..

All my races are run on a handicapped system, and I can now dial my car to run 12.15 and run within .03 of that (95%) of the time..

A supercharged car IS fast but not as consistent.. and "Most" people here probably don't bracket race on a regaler bases...

Sure they take it to the track, but usually are shooting for the BEST ET they can get.. whereas I do it for $$ in a 10 race series..

I have driven supercharged car and they are a BLAST...bottom line is you need a motor to fit your type of driving...

 

Given that it is in English, it merely implies that one ought to have a mindful respect of the power resultant of FI in that it's a most tempting enjoyment to experience.

 

I see, but you made it too complicated! "Dam# fun, but be careful" would be a little easier to comprehend!

 

Sure...but a fully-built Lingenfelter FI setup costs more than most C6 cars. And that doesn't include the brake and driveline upgrades that most think necessary at that level.

Your second sentence is, in a way, my point. A healthy NA build on a stock lower end is reasonably priced and offers a lot of fun. Because it doesn't overstress either the lower end or the rest of the car's systems (fuel, cooling, driveline), the total cost is quite reasonable, and in line with what the OP mentioned.

Whereas an FI build on a stock lower end is often, one way or another, a ticking time bomb. This is not a bash on FI! But when I see a guy say he only wants to spend $7k, I'm asking myself: can he afford to shrug and rebuild the engine if he gets unlucky with those cast pistons? Or the driveline? If not, then I'm going to suggest he think again. It's not that FI is bad, per se, or that FI, for the same power output, is a greater risk than NA. It's just that many guys don't have the discipline to limit the FI power gains to the level you'd get out of NA, and it's the big numbers that start to put a hurtin' on the lower end and other systems. Hence on to questions about budget, goals, etc.

FI is a really major change to the car. Look at how much re-engineering GM did to build the ZR1. They didn't do that for show, or because they wanted to waste money. They did it because their testing showed that if it was going to be reliable enough for them to warranty 5/100, they had to do it.

I think the reality is that most guys that have successful FI setups think they're reliable because they don't drive them very much. Again, this is not a slam. These tend very much to be weekend, fair-weather cars. In part because they're grossly overpowered for anything else. The FI car that has more than 20-30k miles on the FI setup is exceedingly rare. This is a very different thing from the reliability of putting CAI, headers, ported heads and a reasonable cam on an engine. The latter should go pretty much the normal life of the engine if done right, albeit with the occasional valve spring change.

Again, it all comes down to budget and goals. Speed costs money (and time, and aggravation, etc.). How fast can you afford to go?

 

I have owned both setups. A HC is not as streetable if you want 500 to the wheels, lope of the cam is the main difference. One of my buddies C5 has 70k since his Ps1c was installed and it is a DD, stock except the blower and headers, makes 550 to the tires. If that is what you are looking for get an A&A setup 5K and you will be in there and no issues. Another buddy with his 07 A6 has 20K on his A&A setup and detuned to 500 and he is happy with his DD. Then you have the level I have 750 to the tires in my fully built C5 and my beast has held together fine for 13K and boast is addictive and fun

 

I say go F/I get an A&A kit with a V-3T trim about $5400.00 or so to the door.
I installed mine myself!
More h/p per dollar and car feels stock till you need it! Mpg stays about the same. Car keeps its manners. vs more money, less MPG, lot more trouble, with less HP.

 

Where is the tuner part in this translation?

 

I talked to a guy in Manassas with that brand who has overheating issues in the summer and cannot use his AC. Good choice for some, but I could not stand a car with those headaches.

This video illustrates an engineered route - Note how they say they ran for 2 hours at the track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABFUX65JJ_c

 

I have a 07 z06 with some mods, one being cams, A/C only works when I don't need it. Stopped at a red light in 90+ degree weather for more than 15 seconds and my black on black vette becomes a sauna.

 

Need to look at what you want as far as sound also, I am old school and I love the cam loping at idle which pretty much draws attention to the car. On supercharged cars you get more of a sleeper car as it is on the quiet side.