Supercharger reliability question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Supercharger reliability question
I have been knocking around thinking about doing a supercharger on my 2012 LS3 A6. Wondering how reliable and long lasting they are. Car has 34k miles and in good shape. would be adding headers and catless midpipe at same time. What about long distance driving (freeway trips)? doable? Anybody put 20k miles on one? thinking on A&A, ECS, etc.
Premium Supporting Vendor
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Being we have been doing this for 20 years now we have had many cars go well over 100,000 miles after the supercharger was installed. That said it's still a car part and just like an alternator can fail so can an idler etc, but it's not excessive.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
About 3 weeks ago myself and my son-in-law installed a Magnuson 'Heartbeat' supercharger on my 2011 GS / A6 that has 18,000 miles on it.
I did pay a shop to install and pin a new PowerBond Race Performance Harmonic Balancer (P/N: PB1117SS) ... Too much work changing the HB myself.
This supercharger has the same Eaton TVS2300 rotor pack that the ZR1 uses ... Hopefully it will last a long long time.
BTW ... It fits under the stock C6 hood with no modifications to the hood.
.
I did pay a shop to install and pin a new PowerBond Race Performance Harmonic Balancer (P/N: PB1117SS) ... Too much work changing the HB myself.
This supercharger has the same Eaton TVS2300 rotor pack that the ZR1 uses ... Hopefully it will last a long long time.
BTW ... It fits under the stock C6 hood with no modifications to the hood.
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; Dec 11, 2018 at 10:07 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Bay Area CA
About 3-4 years ago, I had A&A Corvette install their Si V3 kit with 62K miles. Today, I have 82K miles and have no issues with the S/C kit.
However, after one year my slightly wobbly HB became worse and had it replaced. I highly recommend replace the oem HB at the time of S/C install with an ATI or comparable, but not oem HB. The oem clutch with 62k miles started to slip and I had that replaced with Mantic dual disc clutch. My exhaust has been upgraded to full Z06 exhaust.
Traction in 1st (2.97) and 2nd gear is challenging, but I manage it with my right foot. I replaced my stock rims (base coupe) to accommodate wider tires 265/305, but traction is still an issue. I do not want to go with street drag radials.
Whenever, a significant amount of HP is added, you need to upgrade with supporting mods: exhaust, clutch, tires, HB, catch can, fuel delivery, etc.
I have no concerns about long distance driving and have done many 1000+ mile trips.
The best part of S/C is the car drives normal at cruise with stock like mpg, until you get into boost, then the car pulls like a beast.
Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!
However, after one year my slightly wobbly HB became worse and had it replaced. I highly recommend replace the oem HB at the time of S/C install with an ATI or comparable, but not oem HB. The oem clutch with 62k miles started to slip and I had that replaced with Mantic dual disc clutch. My exhaust has been upgraded to full Z06 exhaust.
Traction in 1st (2.97) and 2nd gear is challenging, but I manage it with my right foot. I replaced my stock rims (base coupe) to accommodate wider tires 265/305, but traction is still an issue. I do not want to go with street drag radials.
Whenever, a significant amount of HP is added, you need to upgrade with supporting mods: exhaust, clutch, tires, HB, catch can, fuel delivery, etc.
I have no concerns about long distance driving and have done many 1000+ mile trips.
The best part of S/C is the car drives normal at cruise with stock like mpg, until you get into boost, then the car pulls like a beast.
Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Dec 4, 2018 at 12:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southeast TX
Some guys are good with a blower that's good for 10's of thousands of miles and some want 100's of thousands of miles. Eaton TVS blowers are in the 100's of thousands of miles group. Nothing wrong with a blower that gives it up earlier. You pay less up front and can have a higher HP ceiling. Lots of folks are good with that. But, if you want the ultimate in blower longevity, the TVS is the place to look.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
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From: Martinez CA
This person just crossed 200k on his blown C6, and did like a 160+ in the 1/2 mile (from a dig)
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-ecs-fsp.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-ecs-fsp.html
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St. Jude Donor '10
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Race Director
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From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
The "50K miles is enough" sentiment doesn't even make sense to me
I put an ECS kit on mine AT 150K MILES! It has over 200K on it now... no issues. Original everything engine wise until I did a cam/head gaskets/studs a while back.
I broke one belt in the beginning before I had the belt alignment right, other than that.. nothing. I just drive the thing, haven't even checked the belt in probably 6 months.
It will be fine as long as it is tuned correctly and there's enough octane for the boost/timing it's running.
I put an ECS kit on mine AT 150K MILES! It has over 200K on it now... no issues. Original everything engine wise until I did a cam/head gaskets/studs a while back.
I broke one belt in the beginning before I had the belt alignment right, other than that.. nothing. I just drive the thing, haven't even checked the belt in probably 6 months.
It will be fine as long as it is tuned correctly and there's enough octane for the boost/timing it's running.
Last edited by schpenxel; Dec 4, 2018 at 01:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Just meaning at around 7k miles a year it would last at least 7 years and I’m 62 now so probably wouldn’t keep it much longer than that. Be letting someone else enjoy it by then.
Former Vendor
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From: Callaway Cars - Old Lyme, Connecticut
In 2009, we began to machine every housing of the Magnuson-based TVS2300 Superchargers. There were several proprietary reasons why, and all benefitted the customer.
As such, reliability went through the roof. We built our 2010 Grand Sport (Vin #00059) as a test bed to prove the Callaway reliability. But every Callaway vehicle built since, received the same treatment. 100,000 miles after only 2 years, the car was all over the place. Then 200,000 miles, then 250,000, and now over 275,000. It still has the original clutch, also.
NOBODY else can say they have this on a forced induction Corvette, and certainly not without issues. Callaway proudly can, and the vehicles we build all are backed by the only powertrain warranty which has any real value in the aftermarket. Another advantage, offering assurances, if service is ever needed.
What will 300,000 miles bring? We'll probably let the next owner figure that part out.
www.callawaycars.com
info@callawaycars.com
Last edited by Callaway Chris; Dec 4, 2018 at 03:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Woodforest
I'm over 60K on my Magnuson Heartbeat, with almost 120K on the 6.2L, still running as strong as the day I had it tuned. I keep thinking that something is going to break, because I do not baby it as quite a few Cobras and Z06's have found out, but it keeps surpassing my expectations. Love it in traffic, loads of torque which comes in handy not having to spool up.
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St. Jude Donor '11
I have been knocking around thinking about doing a supercharger on my 2012 LS3 A6. Wondering how reliable and long lasting they are. Car has 34k miles and in good shape. would be adding headers and catless midpipe at same time. What about long distance driving (freeway trips)? doable? Anybody put 20k miles on one? thinking on A&A, ECS, etc.
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Last edited by TPSMak; Dec 11, 2018 at 11:52 AM.
Instructor
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From: Fort Washington MD
Good components, proper installation, and a spot on tune and you will be OK. I drive a built LS3 by ECS and have no qualms about driving anywhere. I have taken many long trips and get good gas mileage to boot. (#868 RWHP}. As previously mentioned any mechanical part can fail even on a new car. Take care of your car and it will take care of you.