Potential pre-owned C5 owner wonders about superchargers

[chevyorange]

I am now shopping and will be ready to purchase sometime in early 2k4. I like the 2001 model with 6-speed.

I am wondering if anyone has installed a supercharger on their C5s and if they recommend a particular one.

I would like one that fits under the hood.

Do cars need any mods above and beyond the supercharger? I don't want to open the motor.

Is Nitrous Oxide a better choice? I don't like that only because of trunk space as I'm looking at convertibles!

Thanks for any tips you can offer this "old school" mechanic (i.e. before computer control!)

Adam
chevyorange@mac.com

 

[corvettecrazy]

I am now shopping and will be ready to purchase sometime in early 2k4. I like the 2001 model with 6-speed.

that's a good time area.

I am wondering if anyone has installed a supercharger on their C5s and if they recommend a particular one. [/B]

I have not but many people have and are very happy with them.
companies include:
ATI procharger (my personal choice)
Lingenfelter
shoot I just blanked out I forget the other companies

I would like one that fits under the hood. [/B]

the ATI procahrger one for the corvette fits under the hood

Do cars need any mods above and beyond the supercharger? I don't want to open the motor. [/B]

to get the best performance and life out of your engine it wouldn't be a bad idea to have it dyno tuned after being supercharged.

Is Nitrous Oxide a better choice? I don't like that only because of trunk space as I'm looking at convertibles! [/B]

well since NO2 is illegal to use on the streets it would be pointless. and if you are worried about trunk space you can relocate the cd changer to a side rear compartment and then put the NOS bottle in the middle compartment. It is then completely hidden and you still have the whole trunk flat for your clubs.

Thanks for any tips you can offer this "old school" mechanic (i.e. before computer control!) [/B]

what isn't broke doesn't need to be touched!! and if you have a problem discuss it here at corvette action center becasue then you can get the low down on the problem before either attacking it yourself or dealing with a dealer

 

[powderski13]

There are currently 3 major players in the C-5 supercharger market. The ATI and Vortech are centrifical units that do not require a hood change. The Magnusen is a modified roots style blower that will require a new hood. I am planning on an ATI P1SC install with a laid down radiator from Andy Green at A&A Corvette Specialties in the near future. Estimate 475 RWHP on my 2002 A4 vert.

 

[chevyorange]

"Laid Down Radiator"

Can you explain what a laid down radiator is? Is it expensive or detrimental to the overall operation of the whole engine system?

Can you use an ATI or Vortech without messing with the radiator?

Adam

 

[corvettecrazy]

i have never really heard the term laid down radiator but my guess is that is does not exactly refer to the radiator

here is the site and the system in which he said he was considering ordering
https://www.aandacorvette.com/cart/show_items.asp?MainCatID=18

and yes you can do any system w/o messing with the radiator but the setup might be slightly different and it could be better

 

[chevyorange]

EXCELLENT!

I wish I could find someone who has done the Vortech and could tell me the time involved with it.

I am leaning towards that if I get to the point of supercharging.

thanks for all your help!

Adam

 

[corvettecrazy]

if I am not mistaken with the vortech you MUSt tap into the oil pan. not a big deal but it is just another hassle you have to deal with. i guess that would be the time you change your oil.

i would go with a procharger due to the eliminated hassle of tapping into the oil pan. here is there press release and you could go to the find dealer thing and check to see if you have one locally and that would be a huge bennifit for you

http://www.procharger.com/c5_press_release.shtml

 

[chevyorange]

Perfect

Better than I could have hoped for. It is all coming together!

Adam

 

[tomls1]

i believe that this is an example of the laid down radiator mentioned earlier...pretty cool.

:cool

 

[Bob_K]

The hybrid roots/centrifigal blower (I think made by Magnuson) is incredible. Vette magazine did a write up on it. Said it raised the HP and Torque curves evenly throughout the RPM range. They seemed very impressed by it.

 

[chevyorange]

Is that the same SC we're talking about here?

[edit] - Ah, no, I see. The Roots type is the one I'd need a hood change for. I don't want to make any out and out cosmetic changes except for maybe the brakes. Other than that, I want to be visually "stock like".

Adam

 

[corvettecrazy]

sigshooter : yeah thats a layed down radiator but that would seem pointless unless you had a hood with slots in it or that same hood that the C5R has with the big vent thing in it.

chevyorange yeah root SC's sit inplace of the intake manifold that is ontop of the engine.

 

[powderski13]

The laid down radiator install involves moving the lower radiator mounting brackets forward thus the radiator is in a more horizontal position. This allows you to use the OEM double fans instead of the single fan and air filter supplied with the stock ATI kit. The intake air into the supercharger can now be directly over the top of the radiator.

 

[Likecars]

Hey before this dies away....

Great timing for the question. Is there an approved supercharger that does not void a GMPP extended warranty????

 

[chevyorange]

I suppose..

That is a good question. If anyone knows, speak now!

Adam

 

[64VETTE]

Re: Hey before this dies away....

Quote
Great timing for the question. Is there an approved supercharger

Neither Corporate GM or their warranty underwriters have ever authorized any aftermarket supercharger to be "approved" that I know of. However, some GM dealers have supercharger kits they will install and have indicated a no hassle warranty support.

Quote
that does not void a GMPP extended warranty????

The addition of a supercharger does not void a warranty. What it does is bring into question as to whether the supercharger played a roll in a service claim. It should not affect warranty claims on most issues, but it does open up another avenue for a service claim denial especially in the drivetrain area.

Magnuson and others offer an additional warranty that will cover claims that may be denied by GM. In the case of Magnuson, which is what I have in my 2002 C5, both GM and Magnuson use Dell Financial as the underwriter. If Im denied a claim under GM's policy they (Dell Financial) will pick it up under Magnuson's. The additional coverage costs $200 for 36mo/36Kmi. It also covers the supercharger and labor for its repair.

LEC

 

[chevyorange]

Thanks

For your extra insight. More studying to do... I'd like to give my C5 (when I buy it) some extra punch down the line.

Adam

 

[Likecars]

appreciate the input.

 

[G WIZ]

I have a quick question regarding supercharging for someone who may have experience with these systems. How reliable are they and are they hard on the motor?

 

[corvettecrazy]

when setup and tuned properly I don't think they will hurt the motor much at all. as for reliability it all depends how you take care of it. if you follow all the service reccomendations and stuff like that then they sould last a REALLY long time and not break on you.

it also depends if you are going to go crazy or not. if you run 5-12 LB's of boost it will hurt the motor a LOT less than if you go crazy and run 20lb's of boost.