Supercharger or Turbo

[Rick_Rossi]

Hello to everyone!!

Im new here and I just purchased my first Vette(2001 Z06) Im in love with this machine!!!! I have owned several sports cars in the past but this is the first naturally aspirated car I have owned. I love the way the car pulls for it to be an all motor. However Im really thinking about some sort of forced induction just not sure if it should be a turbo or supercharger? I would like to here any advice that anyone has to offer, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks n advance!!

 

[Patrick]

Hi, Rick, and welcome to the

I'm quite certain you will get an ample supply of opinions on the subject of a turbo vs. a supercharger. Personally, I'm a bit more swayed by arguments in favor of a supercharger, but sit tight, you'll soon get arguments on both sides.


-Patrick

 

[Rick_Rossi]

Thanks Pat!

I was talking to a friend yesterday that ownes an 02 Z06, he said he prefers neither! He also said that if I do head and cams I should get the same results Not sure how true that is but... I am curious to know whats the most power the stock block can tolerate?

 

[Patrick]

On a sheer horsepower gain per dollars spent ratio, heads and cam is definately up there. But let's face it: we're talking about an HP gain of perhaps 100 hp by adding a supercharger. I don't think heads and cams can beat that..

My previous Corvette was a 2003 Z06 with 405 HP. Trust me- the HP bounce is what you really want.

Hang on... I'll call someone with some experience in this...

Oh, Remo... calling Remo! Where are you Remo? We need a report about what your Lingenfelter upgrade did to HP gains to your LS-1 Convertible.

That should get his attention. Hang on, Rick, Remo should be here shortly.


-Patrick

 

[Rick_Rossi]

Just curious, what made you let your 03 go? If you dont mind me asking.
Lol... and thanks for calling Remo

I totally agree on the money spent/hp ratio! To be honest Pat, my man goal with the car is to achieve 450rwhp and try to maintain a comfertable ride. What I mean by that is in all of my previous cars, they made respectable power but, drivabilty(cruisng) sucked!

 

[Patrick]

Just curious, what made you let your 03 go? If you dont mind me asking.
Lol... and thanks for calling Remo

I totally agree on the money spent/hp ratio! To be honest Pat, my man goal with the car is to achieve 450rwhp and try to maintain a comfertable ride. What I mean by that is in all of my previous cars, they made respectable power but, drivabilty(cruisng) sucked!

Well, two things convinced me to part company with the Z06. First, I missed having the ability to take the top off on a really nice day. Second, there's only about a 5HP difference between the LS-6 Engine in the '03 Z06 and the LS-2 in my 'vert. And this is before I start modding the 'vert (I've had it less than a month now.)

My recommendation for you on HP gains, before you start down the road of turbo vs. supercharger, is to start by making the airflow more efficient. At a pretty reasonable cost, you can install a cold air intake (like a Veraram) and an aftermarket exhaust. Doing that will probably give you about a 20 to 30 HP gain, and the driveability will still be great for just around the town cruising.

-Patrick

 

[slong]

Could be and could not be a concern for some, but one thing to consider is legal "no tags" aspects of a heads and cam package versus a charger or turbo. Heads & cam will most definitely give you troubles at the smog station because this type package will throw codes even without injectors and headers due to the lift duration. The same is not so true with a blower or turbo. Now yes, for either set-up to find its highest gains they too need injectors, headers and a good tune. I have seen blower packages pass smog, but have not yet seen a heads & cam package do so. Here on the left coast the man in green has even trained the PD to look during routine infractions. Just something to consider. Aren't turbo setups way more expensive then a blower?

 

[Rick_Rossi]

Well, two things convinced me to part company with the Z06. First, I missed having the ability to take the top off on a really nice day. Second, there's only about a 5HP difference between the LS-6 Engine in the '03 Z06 and the LS-2 in my 'vert. And this is before I start modding the 'vert (I've had it less than a month now.)

My recommendation for you on HP gains, before you start down the road of turbo vs. supercharger, is to start by making the airflow more efficient. At a pretty reasonable cost, you can install a cold air intake (like a Veraram) and an aftermarket exhaust. Doing that will probably give you about a 20 to 30 HP gain, and the driveability will still be great for just around the town cruising.

-Patrick

Once again Pat, thanks for the info! I'm def. Going to start with the Xpipe exaust and intake combo but like I said my long term goal is to make 450 rwhp I'll keep u updated as the mods roll in.

 

[Rick_Rossi]

Could be and could not be a concern for some, but one thing to consider is legal "no tags" aspects of a heads and cam package versus a charger or turbo. Heads & cam will most definitely give you troubles at the smog station because this type package will throw codes even without injectors and headers due to the lift duration. The same is not so true with a blower or turbo. Now yes, for either set-up to find its highest gains they too need injectors, headers and a good tune. I have seen blower packages pass smog, but have not yet seen a heads & cam package do so. Here on the left coast the man in green has even trained the PD to look during routine infractions. Just something to consider. Aren't turbo setups way more expensive then a blower?

Your right, thats somethng oh would def. Take n to consideration(emissions):ughAs far as price goes between blowers and turbos as for what I've seen thus far, there not to far off price wise.

 

[breacher24]

Options, Weight, Money, Speed

RR,
This is my experience...make what you will of it. Owned: 01 Cpe, 01 Z, 03 Z and currently building a '99 FRC from the shell frame up. The Cpe was factory (not bad), 01 Z was good (needed more) and the 03 Z had AFR 205's/moderate CAM and new valvetrain, Bassani headers, X & exhaust, BW filter and ported TB. Started with 346 rwhp in stock form and the final tune done by Tony's Corvettes in Gaithersburg showing 448 rwhp/437rwtq, and went great. COST of Mods: $11K approx; however, it burned to the ground at another shop 2-months ago.

Current Cure: '99 FRC body & frame (show room exterior), brand new all aluminum 402CID w/L92 heads, 76 Intake, AMR headers, X-Pipe w/cats & GHL, MTI Forced air, 3.42 gears, total Pfadt suspension, KB Boost pump, cage, shifter, seats and other nit-noid items to complete the package. COST: $39K out the door for the entire car and will show 530rwhp/490rwtq on a moderate tune. All completely forged, 5-angle, port/polish/balanced/blueprinted top to bottom. Add a S/C with intercooler and you are looking at an additional 100+ lbs with the entire kit installed and at a cost of $10k installed (avg). The idea is to lose weight and gain hp while putting the hp to the ground with good driving skills depending on your endeavor e.g. 1/4 or road racing. Personally, I am an avid fan of natural aspiration...tantamount to a great looking woman without make-up. Drive-on my friend!



 

[Remo]

Sorry I'm Late To The Party

A couple of years ago I took my 2001 convertible to Lingenfelter. The objective was to make it faster than a Z06.

We disucssed several oiptions. First was the blower package. This was very attractive but there is a little noise (a suttle whine) associated with blowers that drove me crazy - especially setting at idle at a stop sign.

The second option was turbo charging. At the time, Lingenfelter had designed a twin turbo set up that they installed on a 427 LS7. This option was not only price prohibitive but also presented the driver with the "turbo lag" issue which takes some time to sort out and iss not always user friendly.

In the end I chose the bigger heads and right cam to achieve the objective. After several dyno pulls and some very talented PCM tuning they were able to get 449 RWHP. Now remember the C5 Z06's 405 HP is SAE (or messured @ the flywheel). So was the objective achieved? Absolutely - and it's passed the MASS Emissions Test twice.

Remo:cool

"Objects in the mrrors tend to disappear".

 

[Rick_Rossi]

RR,
This is my experience...make what you will of it. Owned: 01 Cpe, 01 Z, 03 Z and currently building a '99 FRC from the shell frame up. The Cpe was factory (not bad), 01 Z was good (needed more) and the 03 Z had AFR 205's/moderate CAM and new valvetrain, Bassani headers, X & exhaust, BW filter and ported TB. Started with 346 rwhp in stock form and the final tune done by Tony's Corvettes in Gaithersburg showing 448 rwhp/437rwtq, and went great. COST of Mods: $11K approx; however, it burned to the ground at another shop 2-months ago.

Current Cure: '99 FRC body & frame (show room exterior), brand new all aluminum 402CID w/L92 heads, 76 Intake, AMR headers, X-Pipe w/cats & GHL, MTI Forced air, 3.42 gears, total Pfadt suspension, KB Boost pump, cage, shifter, seats and other nit-noid items to complete the package. COST: $39K out the door for the entire car and will show 530rwhp/490rwtq on a moderate tune. All completely forged, 5-angle, port/polish/balanced/blueprinted top to bottom. Add a S/C with intercooler and you are looking at an additional 100+ lbs with the entire kit installed and at a cost of $10k installed (avg). The idea is to lose weight and gain hp while putting the hp to the ground with good driving skills depending on your endeavor e.g. 1/4 or road racing. Personally, I am an avid fan of natural aspiration...tantamount to a great looking woman without make-up. Drive-on my friend!



Im sorry for lost man! that really sucks! but def. sounds like your on to bigger and better

 

[Rick_Rossi]

A couple of years ago I took my 2001 convertible to Lingenfelter. The objective was to make it faster than a Z06.

We disucssed several oiptions. First was the blower package. This was very attractive but there is a little noise (a suttle whine) associated with blowers that drove me crazy - especially setting at idle at a stop sign.

The second option was turbo charging. At the time, Lingenfelter had designed a twin turbo set up that they installed on a 427 LS7. This option was not only price prohibitive but also presented the driver with the "turbo lag" issue which takes some time to sort out and iss not always user friendly.

In the end I chose the bigger heads and right cam to achieve the objective. After several dyno pulls and some very talented PCM tuning they were able to get 449 RWHP. Now remember the C5 Z06's 405 HP is SAE (or messured @ the flywheel). So was the objective achieved? Absolutely - and it's passed the MASS Emissions Test twice.

Remo:cool

"Objects in the mrrors tend to disappear".

Thanks Remo, it sounds like either route will get the job done I guess now its just a matter of prefrence. I think now I need to do some research on pricing the parts and see how they vary.

Guys I really appreciate all the info that has been givin thus far, seriously! This is a real freindly mature oriented forum which seems to have people on here with a good wealth of knowledge. Once again, thank you all!