Questions and Discussion on Vortech Supercharging Systems

[Diggitydog89]

But since im saying spool i guess im talking about turbo... at which i will have to go in the turbo threads

[Brian@Vortech]

Originally Posted by regal

I just have a hard time swallowing a sealed bearing non cooled centrifugal supercharger lasting more than 30k miles.

Would be fair to ask the same question as you of Vortech show us the facts that these things don't have to be rebuilt every 30k miles.

Our systems are intercooled.

As far as the service requirements...speak to anyone that has ever had a Vortech. They will tell you that they almost never need to be rebuilt! The first commercially sold unit we ever produced (Serial #00001) has over 300,000 miles on it, has been used for many magazine torture tests, has been on multiple different engines and combinations including a drag car and a Silver State Challenge car, and is still going strong today. It has never needed any service of any kind for it's entire 22+ years of existence. That kind of reliability is practically unheard of from anyone other than Vortech.

Our shop truck is a 6.8L Ford F350 V10 with one of our self-lubricated units on it. It gets beaten like a red-headed stepchild daily by nearly everyone in the building. It has over 200,000 miles on it and the blower has never needed service. Towing, hauling, traffic, 100+ degrees, numerous trips to Vegas for events, thousands of parts runs to here, there, and everywhere...still good to go. I'll be driving it out carrying our entire booth this weekend to Fontana for 86Fest, actually. It ain't much to look at...but it'll be there!

The only difference is that with a self-lubricated blower, you have to remember to change the oil. As long as you do that, you are golden. In fact, it is worth mentioning that the warranty on all of our superchargers is time based, and not mileage based. All of our warranties cover you for either 1 or 3 years, and include unlimited mileage. Can you expect that kind of reliability from other centrifugals? Absolutely not (except for Paxton...we own them too), but you you can expect that with Vortech.

[Diggitydog89]

So the FRS can handle a higher than V-3 without not alot of problems? I would like to see an FRS thats SC'ed that has hit the 450-500 range like the turbo platform but have not seen or read anything about it... I guess no one has the balls to do it yet?

[jamesm]

my sister's car has 120+k on it, most of which were with a vortech. no issues. i've never heard or read anything that would suggest they're unreliable.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Diggitydog89

So the FRS can handle a higher than V-3 without not alot of problems? I would like to see an FRS thats SC'ed that has hit the 450-500 range like the turbo platform but have not seen or read anything about it... I guess no one has the balls to do it yet?

For me its more of the fact that I purchased the SC kit knowing it put out a reasonable amount of power and that I wouldn't need to upgrade driveline/engine components for reliability.

If you want huge power, most people just go turbo because they can swap out wastegate springs and have a plethora of turbochargers to choose from.

If you want 400 "easy" horsepower, a turbo may make more sense than a supercharger. For those who don't want to tap the oil pan, deal with the extra heat from a turbo, etc.... supercharger is the way to go. This is completely my opinion though.

[Diggitydog89]

Is there a reason why a SC requires more engine components than a TC platform?

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Diggitydog89

Is there a reason why a SC requires more engine components than a TC platform?

More engine components?

[Diggitydog89]

Yeah, like why does a SC platform require more upgrades to the engine than a turbo would? Both are forms of FI so why would one need more work than the other?

[civicdrivr]

Originally Posted by Diggitydog89

Yeah, like why does a SC platform require more upgrades to the engine than a turbo would? Both are forms of FI so why would one need more work than the other?

I dont think anyone said a s/c'r requires more upgrades compared to the turbo. Thats a very broad statement as it depends on what the target psi is.

You could slap a Vortech kit on an otherwise stock car and be perfectly fine. If you want to make more power (safely), than other parts are required, but that goes for turbo systems just the same.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

I dont think anyone said a s/c'r requires more upgrades compared to the turbo. Thats a very broad statement as it depends on what the target psi is.

You could slap a Vortech kit on an otherwise stock car and be perfectly fine. If you want to make more power (safely), than other parts are required, but that goes for turbo systems just the same.

Exactly. I was shooting for ~250whp, and a supercharger fits the bill. If I wanted more, I would have went turbo. I did not trust the stock clutch with the larger amount of torque that a turbo puts out, so I really picked a supercharger because I wanted X power without upgrading anything else

[sw20kosh]

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

I dont think anyone said a s/c'r requires more upgrades compared to the turbo. Thats a very broad statement as it depends on what the target psi is.

You could slap a Vortech kit on an otherwise stock car and be perfectly fine. If you want to make more power (safely), than other parts are required, but that goes for turbo systems just the same.

I think what he is getting at is that to reach say 500 whp you need to do more to get there with a SC than with a turbo.

The quick and dirty answer to that is that a SC takes a chunk of engine power to operate, while a turbo doesn't. You have to push your components (and your boost/timing) to reach the same goal as someone else who is running a properly sized turbo.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by sw20kosh

I think what he is getting at is that to reach say 500 whp you need to do more to get there with a SC than with a turbo.

The quick and dirty answer to that is that a SC takes a chunk of engine power to operate, while a turbo doesn't. You have to push your components (and your boost/timing) to reach the same goal as someone else who is running a properly sized turbo.

Don't forget the "spool" factor. The supercharger has a set limit on how fast it can turn. A large turbo may spool slower but once it gets going, its going to be pushing more air, more fuel, which helps it spool even faster...

This is how you get "dyno queen" turbo cars.... crazy amounts of power, but very peaky.

I find that a supercharger also gives you instant boost response. The engine just feels bigger. Its a lot of fun on the street. I've owned a turbo car before, the delivery of the supercharger is better IMO. The turbo surge of power is fun as well though....

[regal]

Originally Posted by Brian@Vortech

Our shop truck is a 6.8L Ford F350 V10 with one of our self-lubricated units on it. It gets beaten like a red-headed stepchild daily by nearly everyone in the building. It has over 200,000 miles on it and the blower has never needed service. Towing, hauling, traffic, 100+ degrees, numerous trips to Vegas for events, thousands of parts runs to here, there, and everywhere...still good to go. I'll be driving it out carrying our entire booth this weekend to Fontana for 86Fest, actually. It ain't much to look at...but it'll be there!

The only difference is that with a self-lubricated blower, you have to remember to change the oil. As long as you do that, you are golden. In fact, it is worth mentioning that the warranty on all of our superchargers is time based, and not mileage based. All of our warranties cover you for either 1 or 3 years, and include unlimited mileage. Can you expect that kind of reliability from other centrifugals? Absolutely not (except for Paxton...we own them too), but you you can expect that with Vortech.

Great info thanks

[Brian@Vortech]

Had a great time at 86Fest guys! Thanks to the dozens of fellow forumgoers who came by to say hello. It was great meeting everyone in person.

Also a big thanks to FT86Speedfactory, Rally Sport Direct, FRSport, and all the other great shops that came out to represent. Seeing the Vortech Supercharged FT86Speedfactory car get mercilessly flogged all weekend on the track was a real treat (they put in the fastest time too if I'm not mistaken).

Not sure why almost every single non-booth car had their hoods closed though. I would have had at least another dozen or so cars to take pictures of for our Blog if you guys had your hoods up. No need to be modest...show up and show off!