Questions and Discussion on Vortech Supercharging Systems

[F1point4]

Latest numbers. It was probably about 75-80F outside with low humidity. I've had the kit installed since the beginning of March and have logged 10k miles on it.

I may have to consider blocking off the oil cooler for the cooler weather.

Vortech Supercharger with 9PSI 3.48" Pulley
Freshly cleaned air filtre
Perrin Tuned V10

P&L Motorsports EL HFC Coated Exhaust Manifold
P&L Motorsports 2.5" Coated Overpipe V1
Perrin Performance 2.5" HFC Front Pipe
Perrin Performance 2.5" Resonated Catback

Stock fuel system (Injectors/pump)
Stock Crank pulley
Gates Black Belt

We did six pulls. I plotted three. So close to 200 torques! I would say Lola's doing just fine
RunFile_005 and 006 are map4
RunFile_002 is map 3. I daily drive and track using this map.


20131020-FallDynoCheckup-012 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Not to nitpick your decision to remove it permanently, but we discussed this very topic back in May and Brian confirmed the temperature < 25 stipulation in his response to you: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=339

What else changed that is now bringing you to the decision to remove it forever? I'm not trying to be a **** here, I'm honestly curious if you've encountered other negative issues with the kit.

The block heater is probably enough to keep ambient temperature in the engine bay at a safe enough point, but I guess this all depends on a lot of variables which confirms for me that the verbiage in the Vortech warranty doc is legal "CYA" content.

The issue becomes if I am in the dead of winter and try to start my car and the belt sheers off or the blower seizes. Not only am I stranded waiting for a tow but also the I don't have a warranty. And yes I knew about it but before I thought maybe it was legal CYA talk. But now I am actually concerned.

The oil used in Rotrex and Innovate blowers are more versatile, rated up to -40F. (No I am not switching)

Is it the oil in the Vortech thats the issue or the tolerances of the blower?

I am being straight here, the way I am reading it is basically the Vortech kit is for warm climates only.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

The issue becomes if I am in the dead of winter and try to start my car and the belt sheers off or the blower seizes. Not only am I stranded waiting for a tow but also the I don't have a warranty. And yes I knew about it but before I thought maybe it was legal CYA talk. But now I am actually concerned.

The oil used in Rotrex and Innovate blowers are more versatile, rated up to -40F. (No I am not switching)

Is it the oil in the Vortech thats the issue or the tolerances of the blower?

I am being straight here, the way I am reading it is basically the Vortech kit is for warm climates only.

I thought the belt is the same type as the OEM accessory belt. It shouldn't shear off due to cold weather, no?

Also, your statement about the Rotrex/Innovate blower oil implies those use special oil? I thought Rotrex used normal motor oil even if its closed loop, and the Innovate doesn't use fluid at all? I may be missing something here.

[charged86]

Originally Posted by Foobar

I've heard of other folks with Vortech V3's go through winters in sub-freezing temperatures without one, but keep in mind that Vortech themselves have put that stipulation in the warranty documents. Cold-starting the car in sub-25 Fahrenheit temperatures without an engine heater/blanket is enough for them to void your warranty.

Do we seriously need it? To keep things running no, you're probably OK unless you're in seriously arctic conditions. Do you want to avoid the risk? Then I'd get a heated garage or some way to keep at least the Vortech warm enough that its oil doesn't cause issues in the cold.

I would barely hit -10 here Kentucky

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by F1point4

I thought the belt is the same type as the OEM accessory belt. It shouldn't shear off due to cold weather, no?

Also, your statement about the Rotrex/Innovate blower oil implies those use special oil? I thought Rotrex used normal motor oil even if its closed loop, and the Innovate doesn't use fluid at all? I may be missing something here.

The belt could sheer if the blower seizes due to cold.

Rotrex does not state what oil they use but all their spec sheets show -40F inlet oil temp range for most of their products.

Innovate uses standard diff fluid as their factory fill so it won't have cold issues.

[feldy]

Well Its time to park the car for the winter... Pick up a cheap 400 dollar used car for the winter and call it. It maybe cheaper in the long run then taking all the time and labor to pull the kit off. That's a ton of work to do. I know its not the answer you wanted but its a viable solution.


I know a lot of booted e85 guys who wont be driving the car this winter as well. Most plan to park it with some gas in the tank.

Originally Posted by Dezoris

So basically the kit has to come off for the winter. Or in my case off forever now.

I am hearing noise already noise when starting in 40 ambient temps. My garage is heated but when I park outside at work all day it's clearly going to lose heat fast.
An engine block heater is not going to warm the SC oil.

This reminds me of why I stayed away from modding cars for so long.

[Taber]

I drove my VF Engineering Supercharged E46 M3 for 2 winters. The VFE kits use a Vortech self contained unit, and I never had a single problem with mine, and I'm located in Maine.

[Rick@Vortech]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

Is it the oil in the Vortech thats the issue or the tolerances of the blower?
.

The issue isn't the oil. The tolerances within the blower are pretty tight, so the cold weather affects that more than anything. Using an engine blanket to help warm the blower helps. Once the car is up to operating temperature, you're in the clear.

[DJCarbine]

Fwiw im running this blower all winter in chicago. The moment it fails (which I doubt) expect a post in here.

From google searching it seems a lot of people run them in the winter with no problems...

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by Rick@Vortech

The issue isn't the oil. The tolerances within the blower are pretty tight, so the cold weather affects that more than anything. Using an engine blanket to help warm the blower helps. Once the car is up to operating temperature, you're in the clear.

Thanks for update on oil.
Haha you guys have never seen a winter before have you?

Parked at work with extension cord to blanket with 7" of snow on the ground? 12v warmer would kill battery, so that's not really an option.
@DJCarbine

Keep in touch about how yours runs, since we are close to each other. You still driving daily?

[pheoxs]

From my understanding Vortech clearly says the warranty only covers down to -5C but from looking online many people have run them in much colder temperatures without issue, including some posts from vortech saying they've tested in colder weather and haven't had any issues, its just not officially warrantied to that temperature.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

Thanks for update on oil.
Haha you guys have never seen a winter before have you?

Parked at work with extension cord to blanket with 7" of snow on the ground? 12v warmer would kill battery, so that's not really an option.
@DJCarbine

Keep in touch about how yours runs, since we are close to each other. You still driving daily?

I drive every day, as much as I can.

In the colder weather it has a slight whine when COLD, but so did everything else in every car I've ever had when the oil was cold in the gearbox/etc.

There are lots of examples on other forums running vortech superchargers.... everyone has/had the same worry, and a LOT of people run them in the winter in northern states with no problem.

I can only assume if you start the car in freezing weather and start driving it right away.... with the blower spinning at several (if not tens) of thousand rpm faster than the engine.... yeah, it won't be happy at ALL.

Trust me... if it breaks, this thread is the first place I will post about it lol

[jamesm]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Do you want to avoid the risk? Then I'd get a heated garage or some way to keep at least the Vortech warm enough that its oil doesn't cause issues in the cold.

Sure, just let me run down to walmart and pick up a heated garage, simple.

I'd be pissed if I had to deal with that. That's a major, major downside.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by jamesm

Sure, just let me run down to walmart and pick up a heated garage, simple.

I'd be pissed if I had to deal with that. That's a major, major downside.

I would just see how it plays out. I doubt this thread will be full of seized supercharger stories in the winter months.....

Searching on google nets VERY similar threads in different automotive forums such as this concerned about the cold weather warning from which you can draw your own conclusions

Not that I'm encouraging anyone to ignore the warning