Elchulo

I know it's a long shot, but I was wondering if it would be possible to custom a super charger (not turbo) on a pro? I'm guessing vortech only because they seem like the most possible company to go with.....
I Know I know..... just curious so no ragging

Elchulo

I did a search

The only thing I didn't find out from it was if a SOHC engine could take a supercharger? The reason why is because it's a lighter car, and it would just be cool da**it!

Elchulo

So vortech sucks or is it just not worth the money?

Eric F

Vortech is not a bad company. This has all been discussed in depth elsewhere, but turbochargers, roots type superchargers, and centrifugal superchargers all have different strengths and weaknesses. The turbocharger can be the most efficient, it also has the most tuning range since it isn't driven directly off the crank. Installation is more difficult due to exhaust and intake plumbing being required. Roots type superchargers are often the best option for boost with more typical driving on the street. Because they are driven off the crank, they tend to have a more linear power curve and often develop more low RPM power than other options. No special exhaust plumbing required, but application specific custom intake manifold is usually required. Centrifugal superchargers have some of the drawbacks of both the turbocharger and supercharger by being crank driven and tending to produce peaky power at high RPM. Their main advantage is installation ease however, as they only require a bracket to alloy them to be belt driven, and intake pluming.

don668

Vortec's work great on a V8, you would be better off with a Eaton Roots type blower or a turbo. In this months Car & Driver they put a mild Eaton on a Focus and it helped, BUT its still slower than the SVT version and more expensive. Too peaky.

Don

don668

agreed.

GNO

I don't think centrifugal superchargers are all that bad. The thermal efficiency of a centrifugal s/c is better than that of a roots type. Adding an intercooler is similar to that in a turbo application: easy to install/plumb an air/air IC. Whereas with the roots, if the output is directly into the manifold like on the Grand Prix, the only option is liquid/air - currently only on model availible at a cost of $2000. The T-bird Supercoupe had it's output up top to an air/air, but then you run into hood clearance problems in aftermarket applications. Unlike a turbo, you don't have massive tranny-killing torque when shifting since compressor speed drops proportionately to engine speed. Although low-end is not as dramatic as roots, lag is not as evident as with a turbo.

Sir Nuke

I wish we would have seen it run...but didn't....there was a focus that was supercharged with a small roots type blower at the WIC this weekend in houston....looked VERY factory install....was very nicely done.....

rodslinger

I agree mostly about prefering a turbo over a centrifugal supercharger. I have a Vortech on my Mustang and am very pleased.

Some good points are...
Low cost and ease of installation
Excellent product warranty
Very good driveability.
Can change boost levels easily by changing pulley size.
No tire/chassis breaking torque surge when the boost hits like a turbo.

Some drawbacks are...
Boost doesn't really come in until after 3500 rpms. It puts the rpm range just below boost during shifts.
Peak boost is about 5000 rpms.
Typical blower whine kills the sleeper status.
No tire/chassis breaking torque surge when the boost hits like a turbo.

It really depends on the application, for my Mazda PR5, I'll be going turbo and probably a very small one. The wife drives it mostly and only want's a little more power. I'll need low boost but very quick spool. I know that won't happen with a Vortech setup. For the Mustang, low end torque wasn't the problem. It needs more top end pull and that's where the Vortech complements the system. It would be too difficult to plumb a turbo setup on the Mustang anyway even though I would have preferred it.

GNO

No offense taken. Yes, I realize that liquid/air is more efficient. . . but the cost hurts.

There's going to be an Eaton M112 with intercooler for my Grand Prix soon. The place I'm looking at doesn't want the M90. . . I might have one up for sale. Any takers? Oh wait, I don't have the $$ for the M112.

Eric F

That's actually a good application for a centrifugal supercharger like the Vortech. Domestic V8, or larger V6 engines generally have plenty of lower RPM torque, but lack higher RPM HP. That's a good fit for the peaky nature of the centrifugal supercharger, aside from the easy installation.

azrakain

If twin turbos are so good then why do most RX7 and SUPRA tuners get rid of the twin setup and install one big turbo? Are all twin turbo applications sequential like the 1993-1995 US RX7's are? I am not being sarcastic with my first sentence just asking a question BTW.

azrakain

thanks for the good reply....very informative; which is why this forum can be so great!!

Eric F

Dual turbos would still be more expensive and harder to install than a single centrifugal supercharger, which would work fine for a V8 application. There are applications where any of the available options make sense. It's just a matter of doing your homework and selecting the correct one for you. Since this is a Protege forum, and the largest engine installed in one is 2.0L, the centrifugal supercharger is not a good choice.

chdesign

You would be much happier with turbo plus the turbo doesn't take away before it gives....the vortec is goign to make paristic loss from turning the supercharger where the turbo uses wasted energy from the exhaust and doesn't take away power before it gives. Understand? Hope that changes your mind a little about superchargers....if you want immediate boost then custom fab a roots blower on it but your low end will suck compared to a turbo....plus with turbo it is much easier to upgrade and adjust boost. Happy boosting!!!