blower for L48

[LesPaul]

Where can get'm from and which one?

Anyone have any experience or advice for small/medium sized blower for my 76 L48?

Thanks.

 

[KANE]

This is waaaaay over simplified, but you have two major types of Superchargers-

ROOTS-
These are your blowers that mount below the carb. These usually require a hole in the hood to clear the carb(s).

CETRIFUGAL-
These mount more like an alternator and use (intake) plumbing to get to the carb (which is encased). These usually fit under the hood.




My $.02-

If you don't have emmissions inspections.... go with the roots.
If you have emmissions inspections, swap in an LS1. You'll glide through the test, get better MPGs, and have the reliability to back it up.

Another route-
You'd have 385hp from a GM crate motor for around 4k. If you think about it, the carb, fuel system mods, ignition, etc. would need to be purchased to make this happen effectively. That may cost around 1k or so. I'd rather save it and dump it into a turn key crate motor.

I personnally feel that SCs are great for the drag strip, but a little overkill for the street. I'd rather spend the 2k on the engine itself.

If you get an SC, document the process and the install and post it. There are many people who would like to see how you did it!

 

[Fishman]

I installed a 6:71 Dyer's to a big block years ago... the blower and carbs (2 750 double pump Carters) stuck out of the hood 11.5" Yes... I had to make a LARGE hole in the hood). Lot's of power, but got stopped by the cops all the time. Not for speeding... they claim it was an 'obstruction of view". My $.02: Crate motor... I just did that to my '78 and now enjoy the extra hp without the trouble. Tip: If you go with a super charger... do not install on a high compression engine.

 

[Tom Bryant]

You could add a Pro Charger centrifugal supercharger to your carbed engine and still close the hood. Pick up plenty of horsepower fairly simply assuming you have a sound engine. If it has a lot of miles on it or has marginal ring /valve sealing you would be wasting your money.

In that case I would pull the original engine and store it for restoration sometime in the future. If you want to stay carbed and not mess with a computor give the Gm ZZ4 some thought. A great engine that has been used by the thousands in all kinds of performance cars. It's a 350/330 horsepower. Or step up to the Fast Burn 385 and add the H.O.T. cam for 420 horses. I have a friend in New York with this setup in hus '68 corvette. Idles smooth and has awesome power.

I would lean towards the Ram Jet 350 though. It is a 350 horse with Ram Jet fuel injection and it's own stand alone ECM and harness.
Check themout here:

GM Crate Engines

Tom

 

[clar2001]

 

[LesPaul]

Thanks for your help guys...

So you are all saying that, keep the original engine ang go with a new crate engine?

Another question.. What about the suspension systems... any experiences or advices??

Thanks..

 

[Fishman]

I'd go with the crate motor. Regarding the suspension... put the car on a lift, drop everything south of the wheel well (EVERYTHING), if it looks good simply sand blast and paint, if it doesn't look good... replace. You do not have to go super-high-tech with the replacement parts, OEM (or GM approved vendor) equipment still offers great performance. Did this to mine... everything is pretty well stock, with the exception of the shocks (that could start a whole new thread though).
Good luck mate!

 

[Stallion]

I personally love the look of a huge blower sticking out of the hood. It's just another one of those things that shows extreme muscle even when the Vette isn't running. I like it mostly for beauty purposes, but I would also enjoy the jolt of power, too.

Question about big SCs. They stick out quite high sometimes. How are they mounted? If you accelerate quick enough, wouldn't you think you might shake it loose? Know what I mean?

Stallion

 

[clar2001]

 

[clar2001]

 

[LesPaul]

Thanks Guys...

 

[clar2001]

 

[clar2001]

 

[Stallion]

clar, I have a question (as well as my previous questions ). You know the last pic you just posted, on the top of the blower, there are those three red circular pieces. What are they? What are they for? I don't like them, personally. I would have a blower with a different looking top. What's their functionality?

Stallion

 

[clar2001]

Well lets see if I can answer that, the 3 red circles open & close with the throtal body on the carburator, push on the gas they open tied to the carb.
The yellow vette has a air cleaner/filter or air intake.

I know nothing about blowers only what I have seen on tv, I don,t have that much money or there would be one on my 75 stingray.
As far as mounting a intake mounts to the engine, the blower then carbs ,usly lower compression engine 8 1/2 to 1 maby 9 if you look at the red vette you will see two black straps going over the blower to the motor, thats to hold it down incase it blows off the engine, most likely you would just throw a belt but at hi rpm's and hi horse power a lot can go wrong at those speeds.

Some one else here could Properly answer your questions better I am a great menechic on a regular small block but thats about it.

 

[Fishman]

You know the last pic you just posted, on the top of the blower, there are those three red circular pieces. What are they? What are they for? I don't like them, personally. I would have a blower with a different looking top. What's their functionality?

It is either a fully working fuel injector, like the ones you see at the NHRA drags, or simply an air-cleaner made to look like a real fuel injector.

you will see two black straps going over the blower to the motor, that’s to hold it down incase it blows off the engine, most likely you would just throw a belt but at hi rpm's and hi horse power a lot can go wrong at those speeds.

Most blowers have a 'pop-off' valve to relieve pressure when the car misfires. Not good to try and spin the two rotors in the opposite direction quickly. The pop-off valve is a metal plate that is 'screwed' into the manifold below the blower. The screws go through two springs to adjust tension (choose your tension wisely). The metal plate has a gasket on it... when my pop-off blew out, I would simply change the gasket (and turn the distributor a little!)

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Well if you are looking for a performance jump without some big monster sticking out of the hood, but still want a blower? I'd look around for a Holley, B&M or simalar 147 - 177 street blower system. They will fit under a raised hood; look good when the hoods open without giving it away that it is there.

I have been looking around at them for my Daytona. They seem to be selling for $700- $1700 used. You can get around 80- 100 HP out of them and should fit under a 2" rise hood. They cost around $2200 new.

Just another way to look at things. Good luck and let us know what you do.

Gary