Help! Best C5 supercharger

[billzip]

Looking to install a supercharger in a C5 Coupe located in Central Florida. Not a track car, just looking for a "little more". I know thwe Magneson requires the hi hood, which is not a problem as long as I don't have to fit it or paint it.
Any recomendations
Thanks

 

[Dad]

A good place to start - Edelbrock.com - E-Force Superchargers - Introduction - good luck and welcome to CAC.

 

[catbert]

The Edelbrock hasn't announced a C5 configuration last time I checked. A lot depends on whether you want to replace the hood, which is mandatory for the axial chargers I've seen. A ProCharger can be fitted without a new hood.

 

[Hib Halverson]

A good place to start - Edelbrock.com - E-Force Superchargers - Introduction - good luck and welcome to CAC.

Edelbrock's E-Force System is C6 only. It's unlikely Edelbrock will do a C5 (LS1/LS6) system.

There is no Roots-type aftermarket supercharger which will fit under the hood of a C5. All require an aftermarket hood which, if you purchase a high-quality, good looking part then paint it properly, will run $2000.00 or more. Most of the Roots type aftermarket kits for C5 are also lacking in adequate calibration so figure another 500-800 for proper tuning on a chassis dyno.

There are also several centrifugal supercharger kits for C5s and most of those will fit under the hood. Unfortunately, some of those products are also lacking in adequate calibration so, again, figure on having a professional calibration engineer tuning the system on a chassis dyno.

 

[TooFast]

Lingenfelter just came out with a new C5 positive displacement blower unit that looks just like the Edelbrock unit, except it does NOT fit under the stock hood. When I first saw it I got excited until I read further and found out you still need to change the hood. You can also go with any of the cetrifugal blowers, although I believe the A&A Supercharger Vortech is one of the better units and it will not require hood change out. The PDU will give you a lot more torque and instant on power (used on the ZR1) the cetrifugal power comes on later in the curve and is gentler for launching...the cetrifugal is also usually a little less expensive and is much less expensive if you figure in having to change your hood.

 

[SANOLS1]

I Love the procharge system.
Intercooled ProCharger Systems for C5 Corvettes

Coming up on 50K miles with no complaints. You just have to get used to the turbo whistle. (It turns a lot of heads at intersections) It's a lot of work to do yourself but can be done with a little patience. I would reccomend the AA Corvette mounting system over the system that comes with the kit from Procharger. AA Corvette offers a complete package using a Vortech head but they also support the Procharger. Plan on some dyno time. C5 Supercharger Kits : A & A Corvette Performance, Your C5, C6 and Z06 Corvette Supercharger Specialists

 

[billzip]

Thanks

Many thanks to everyone for all the helpful information
billzip

I Love the procharge system.
Intercooled ProCharger Systems for C5 Corvettes

Coming up on 50K miles with no complaints. You just have to get used to the turbo whistle. (It turns a lot of heads at intersections) It's a lot of work to do yourself but can be done with a little patience. I would reccomend the AA Corvette mounting system over the system that comes with the kit from Procharger. AA Corvette offers a complete package using a Vortech head but they also support the Procharger. Plan on some dyno time. C5 Supercharger Kits : A & A Corvette Performance, Your C5, C6 and Z06 Corvette Supercharger Specialists

 

[Korkster]

Best C5 superharger

Looking to install a supercharger in a C5 Coupe located in Central Florida. Not a track car, just looking for a "little more". I know thwe Magneson requires the hi hood, which is not a problem as long as I don't have to fit it or paint it.
Any recomendations
Thanks

Although I have a C6 Callaway (2nd owner) and I know a lot of people just love Callaway and swear by their Magnuson superchargers the last few weeks I was ready to swear at the latter. I had to spend over $2,300 bucks to rebuild the supercharger with less than 13,000 miles on it...so be weary. ad

 

[billzip]

Thanks

Although I have a C6 Callaway (2nd owner) and I know a lot of people just love Callaway and swear by their Magnuson superchargers the last few weeks I was ready to swear at the latter. I had to spend over $2,300 bucks to rebuild the supercharger with less than 13,000 miles on it...so be weary. ad

Many thanks for sharing info. I was leaning towards the Magnesun because of the way it makes its power, but was not excited about the raised hood.
Could I ask you what the problem was with yours. 13,000 miles is not a lot to support a failure.
Thanks again
billzip

 

[Korkster]

Best C5 superharger

When I test drove the car in December at the dealership where the car was sold new I was told the main difference in the engine sound as compared to my '04 Vette was a whine. I expected that and at first I thought it was kind of cool. Over the 800 miles or so since the purchase the whine seemed to become louder. As you might appreciate it is difficult to be objective about such a suspicious noise.
At the dealership they confirmed I had at least one and possibly two bearings starting to fail. Callaway thumbed their nose for any warranty help because I am the "dreaded second owner." The dealer then shipped it to Magnuson and again because I was the dreaded second owner I had to pay for 4 bearings and new impellers. I've been around enough to know that if one problem exists in a supercharger you have to have it rebuilt.

All I have been told is the Callaway and Magnuson blend is bullet proof but in my case I took one for the team. Best of luck. I think you will be fine if you go the Magnuson route.

 

[gkayvee]

I love the Magnusen S/C on my '02 Lingenfelter convertible. It has a whine that is quite tolerable, like a jet engine spooling up, and only whines when its boosting. Boost is limited to about 6psi, which is plenty. The innards to the S/C are made by Eaton, like on trucks and big equipment and are built to last 100K miles. Mine also has an air-to-water intercooler which really helps control intake air temps, particularly in hot weather. To compress air by 6psi makes heat, up to 300 degrees F. The intercooler keeps the air well below that so your temp gage stay lower when you're doing some boostin'. I wouldn't buy an S/C without a good air/water intercooler. As for the taller hood, mine looks great and makes the car look mysteriously not-stock.

 

[billzip]

Thanks for the info. Which hood did you choose?
Thanks

 

[gkayvee]

Thanks for the info. Which hood did you choose?
Thanks

It's the basic Ling hood with the taller cowl/tunnel, no scoops, ripples or geegaws.

 

[billzip]

Magneson

Thanks again,
Magneson it is.
Now the search begins for a reputable, reliable supplier/ installer/tuner in South Florida.
Cheers

 

[Korkster]

Magnuson Comment

Looking to install a supercharger in a C5 Coupe located in Central Florida. Not a track car, just looking for a "little more". I know thwe Magneson requires the hi hood, which is not a problem as long as I don't have to fit it or paint it.
Any recomendations
Thanks

I know many people who rave about their Magnuson supercharger and they have had good luck with that company. I may be the only person in the history of Callaway Corvettes to have had 2 failures of a Magnuson superchargers in slightly over 23,000 miles. They are terrible to deal with especially when it comes to customer service on rebulding their product. In my 70 years on this planet I cannot remember any company that cares less for customers than Magnuson.

 

[catbert]

I know many people who rave about their Magnuson supercharger and they have had good luck with that company. I may be the only person in the history of Callaway Corvettes to have had 2 failures of a Magnuson superchargers in slightly over 23,000 miles. They are terrible to deal with especially when it comes to customer service on rebulding their product. In my 70 years on this planet I cannot remember any company that cares less for customers than Magnuson.

That kind of experience from a customer would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[gkayvee]

I have an 02 C5 with a Mag SC and high hood from Lingenfelter. it makes about 525hp at the rear tires. I haven't had any trouble with the SC, and when I contacted Magnusen about an install manual just to keep as a reference, they were very responsive. The car is a screamer with a 6-speed manual, and not for the timid or inexperienced driver.

I bought the car already built from the original owner. IF it was stock and I was going to put a blower on it, I WOULDN'T go with any kind that sits on top of the engine. Instead, I'd opt for the kind that mounts on the side of the engine, thus totally avoiding the need for the high hood and painting it, which will save about $1,000+/- on the project cost. As many here will testify, the LS1 engines are very adaptable and benefit greatly from supercharging when done properly. Good luck and keep it out of the ditches!

 

[Korkster]

Same song - different verse

Although I have a C6 Callaway (2nd owner) and I know a lot of people just love Callaway and swear by their Magnuson superchargers the last few weeks I was ready to swear at the latter. I had to spend over $2,300 bucks to rebuild the supercharger with less than 13,000 miles on it...so be weary. ad

I too am a dreaded second owner. Your story is so close to mine it is uncanny. My SC had bearing failures after 11,000+ miles and the second after 23,000+ miles. (I have been told by Callaway this is unheard of.) In both cases Magnuson was unresponsive to my Corvette dealer (they removed and reinstalled the SC twice) and to me. I even enlisted the help from Callaway to ask if Magnuson would refund or lower the cost of repairs. 2 days ago I actually received a call from a "higher up" at Magnuson and I could almost visualize his arms crossed as he sternly told me (in so many words) no refund, NO HOW! My fingers are crossed now each time I start the engine and drive our C6. As a Vietnam vet I fought for the right for each person or company's rights so I guess in Magnuson's case they the right to take my money and enjoy their profits, corporate accountability and customer goodwill aside.

 

[kpic]

Screw type superchargers make power right off idle and due to that, they lose MPG. That is why they are so popular in certain applications. It's just the nature of the beast. No matter what one likes or not; it is what it is...

I'm running an A&A which is a centrifugal; mid 6s at the rear tires and in 6th at 70 on flat terrain over 30 MPG. So what is not to like?
Unlike a turbo, there is no lag; just almost instant power. Power delivery is sweet.

They all have an efficiency and all drive trains have their limits; basically choose wiser or be sorry.