Vortech super charger first drive

[jdzumwalt]

I installed my kit this week. Install was fairly easy for the most part.

Couple of issues
A) Bracket for new Alternator mount need to be clearance'd I used a file.
B) Claps for intercooler piping are the smallest they can be, I had to substitute a couple from my own stock pile.
C) kit didn't come with the require 1/2 coupler I went and bought new hose that fit the length I needed.

All of these are very minor issues.

Other that that the kit was complete in fact it came with extra silicon coupler, clamps and small hardware.

The factory bumper is built and put together so cheap it almost makes me sick. I cant believe how much of this car is held together with cheap plastic rivits.
I have a feeling removal of the bumper too many times and it wont go back on tight ever again.


First drive impressions. It's ok. I have owned turbo cars for the latter part of my years. This is a whole different thing. The motor feels somewhat restricted somehow. Almost feels like a turbo car with a very Small exhaust housing. It make power but it's not that thrilling. The problem with this is I found my self hauling ass like 90 down a 40 mph street. There is really no surge of power typically associated with a turbo car.

Now on with the good. I use this car for daily driving and some track days. I don't feel that the car is going to be handful or get me into trouble on the track. My original goal was for something like the stock motor with more power this gets me really close. I do think the car needs a header it's still very quite.


I will also add the car is not slow it's just different. There is no crazy torque rush, just constant power as it revs out. If your looking for the rush that a turbo car gives this kit is not for you. But if you want very linear power and easy to drive at the track and events this may be right up your alley.


This is just my opinion.

I would like to add this is my first super charged setup.

Gregg

[Jeff86]

Thank you for posting your honest impressions. Really appreciate hearing the not so good along with the good.

[Quentin]

Sounds like a supercharger to me. lol

[Amadeus]

stage 1 kit?

[FR-S86]

I'm glad I didn't take the supercharge route. Good review though!

[jdzumwalt]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

stage 1 kit?

Yes this is the Visconti Stage 1

It needs E85 real bad.

[grodenglaive]

sounds like what I'm looking for

[hobojoker]

This review has a negative tone, your experience is with turbos and you write your review as if you expected turbo response. You state that you wanted just a little more power from stock, yet you seem disappointed you're not getting a big turbo lump.

The point of the NA engine is to have instant response, and that's what the supercharger kit is supposed to maintain.

What I'd really like to hear from you is:

Is the engine response the same as it was before the supercharger -- Instant?

Does the engine feel like stock, but with slightly more power everywhere? Is the dip between 3.5-5k gone?

What do you mean the engine feels restricted? How does it differ then stock?


Basically, your review sounds like a disappointment because it's not a turbo kit. What I'd like to hear from you is how the upgrades feel compared to the stock engine -- without wading through the 76 pages in the supercharger thread.

Edit: If I came off as harsh, I really don't mean to. It just seemed as though some people were waiting for a negative review and jumped at finally hearing one. To me, this didn't sound like a review of the upgrades.

[dabocx]

Maybe the nameless/PL header and the stage 1+ package will help you out. Still i like the honesty

[Huehuecoyotl]

Gregg can I ask whose tune are you running-is this a Perrin or Visconti Kit? Do you know what size pulley it came with? I installed mine too this week, and saw a difference going from stock exhaust piping to a truly unrestricted 2.5", and had a more rewarding outcome when I did the pulley + bigger pipes, 6 psi is what it is. fun starts at 8. The blower will make 14 psi, and I hear OE fuel will take you to 10psi.

The kit can easily be tuned to your needs, they seem to have way under equipped the 'out of the box' stage1 kit-makes you wonder why, anyways, so if youre not getting what you want out of it, look at whose tune you have and what diameter pulley you have, makes HUGE difference. Talk to your tuner about it, if they are a Vortech shop they will know what to do.

(yes, will get dyno'd soon and will post where I am at with same kit)

The potential is where its at, while they ship it with one setup you can tweak it to make more boost and that means more power, I too was underwhelmed with that 'factory pulley'. Its a easy swap and makes a world of difference.

[nyc]

pretty much what i expected. this will definitely be the slowest kit that gives the least excitement to the driver.

[Tansey86]

Originally Posted by nyc

pretty much what i expected. this will definitely be the slowest kit that gives the least excitement to the driver.

Thats a centrifugal on a 2.0 for ya.

[Amalgamo]

I have to agree that the alternator tilt bracket needs to be modified to make it fit correctly. My kit just arrived yesterday so I cannot comment on the power delivery, still halfway done.
To the OP: what other mods do you have installed in your car besides the supercharger?

[uspspro]

Least excitement???

What's exciting to you. A rush of torque at 4k rpm??

I'd rather take the SC/NA car out on the technical back roads, and enjoy something that does what I want immediately... A precise tool so-to-speak vs a big ass hammer.