Vortech Vs A&A/TuboSmart Supercharger Bypass Valve (BOV) Comparison (With Video)
04-01-2010, 07:53 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Vortech Vs A&A/TuboSmart Supercharger Bypass Valve (BOV) Comparison (With Video)
Unbeknownst to me, my Vortech BOV had spat out its O-ring, causing a boost loss (and the associated power loss I had last year that I could not identify). As I went to fix it, the adjustment **** broke off. I figured it was time to upgrade to A&A's latest offering, a new BOV made by Turbosmart. I also figured it would be a good time to use my new Sony HD camcorder 
Here are the two blow off valves side by side:
And installed. You will notice I am using A&A's latest passenger side feed intercooler design: The BOV goes in the passenger side wheel well:
Vortech:
Turbosmart:
Now for the video:
You can tell that the TurboSmart sounds much deeper and more "hollow". I thing it sounds like Darth Vader breathing... Though the girl through it sounded like mud rubbing against the wheel inside the wheel well... To counterpoint, Chuck COW thought my car was dragging a plastic bag when he heard the Vortech BOV
... I guess it is an acquired taste for the N/A people
The Vortech definitely had more of a "sizzling" sound to it. Either one is essentially inaudible at low RPMs and can get very loud at high RPMs when the supercharger starts to move a lot of air and it all needs to be vented from a 1 inch hole, although the Turbosmart is definitely louder. I would say it starts to be audible inside the car right around 2500RPM -off throttle- of course (since a blow off valve's job is to close on throttle to allow boost to form). Both are also adjustable for preload.
I like it better than the Vortech but I have entertained plumbing its discharge back into the intake for a full recirculating system which would be essentially noiseless. Maybe that'll be a future project of mine.
Here are the two blow off valves side by side:
And installed. You will notice I am using A&A's latest passenger side feed intercooler design: The BOV goes in the passenger side wheel well:
Vortech:
Turbosmart:
Now for the video:
You can tell that the TurboSmart sounds much deeper and more "hollow". I thing it sounds like Darth Vader breathing... Though the girl through it sounded like mud rubbing against the wheel inside the wheel well... To counterpoint, Chuck COW thought my car was dragging a plastic bag when he heard the Vortech BOV
... I guess it is an acquired taste for the N/A peopleThe Vortech definitely had more of a "sizzling" sound to it. Either one is essentially inaudible at low RPMs and can get very loud at high RPMs when the supercharger starts to move a lot of air and it all needs to be vented from a 1 inch hole, although the Turbosmart is definitely louder. I would say it starts to be audible inside the car right around 2500RPM -off throttle- of course (since a blow off valve's job is to close on throttle to allow boost to form). Both are also adjustable for preload.
I like it better than the Vortech but I have entertained plumbing its discharge back into the intake for a full recirculating system which would be essentially noiseless. Maybe that'll be a future project of mine.
04-01-2010, 10:25 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
I need to inspect the o-ring on my Tial too. I haevn't noticed anything but it seems that it would wear out.
04-01-2010, 11:09 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Really? I'm shocked given your previous turbo vehicles! I love the way my Tial Q sounds during shifts. Granted it is also very audible >~2500 RPM when open and it's not such a cool sound but it's worth it for the Pssshhh.
I need to inspect the o-ring on my Tial too. I haevn't noticed anything but it seems that it would wear out.
I need to inspect the o-ring on my Tial too. I haevn't noticed anything but it seems that it would wear out.
With the blower, it goes "SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" ALL THE TIME... Its not the same :-/
Follow the rubber hose on the right of this picture into the air filter. THat is where I'd plumb it.
04-01-2010, 12:47 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
I will be replacing a Vortec BOV due to the O-ring also comming loose, It is just hanging there. We just ordered a replacement Vortec. It's an older kit with the flange welded to the 3 inch pipe. Btw nice comparsion.
04-09-2010, 02:18 AM
#13
Racer
Member Since: Sep 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yea that second one must the BOV i have on my a&a kit.... It is waaaaay loud. When I heard it I thought something was wrong with the plumbing it was so loud! I wonder if there is just a really quiet BOV we can buy from some quality vendor...
04-11-2010, 11:44 PM
#18
Drifting
I like the way the ECS BOV sounds.
No PSHHHH sound like a Turbo, more like the sound of one of those "flower" fire crackers. You know the ones that spin around and change colors. If I had to try and type it's sound it caps, it would be a PFRDT, PFRDT....
Somepin like at!
No PSHHHH sound like a Turbo, more like the sound of one of those "flower" fire crackers. You know the ones that spin around and change colors. If I had to try and type it's sound it caps, it would be a PFRDT, PFRDT....
Somepin like at!
04-12-2010, 06:36 PM
#19
Former Vendor
Member Since: Jul 2008
Location: Oxnard SoCal www.aacorvette.com www.superchargersuperstore.com
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
4 Posts
I like the way the ECS BOV sounds.
No PSHHHH sound like a Turbo, more like the sound of one of those "flower" fire crackers. You know the ones that spin around and change colors. If I had to try and type it's sound it caps, it would be a PFRDT, PFRDT....
Somepin like at!
No PSHHHH sound like a Turbo, more like the sound of one of those "flower" fire crackers. You know the ones that spin around and change colors. If I had to try and type it's sound it caps, it would be a PFRDT, PFRDT....
Somepin like at!
04-29-2010, 12:23 AM
#20
so if i got a differnt bov on my vortech i would not notice the sound?
i have a vortech supercharger with the stock bosch setup of it routing it back into the system, would it be louder at all if i was to go with a turbosmart bov and still have route it back into the system or is it useless and should i just stick with mny bosch?
