supercharge

[jimmers]

So i was lookin at the superchargers on http://www.procharger.com. Just a few questions.
They say 8-10 hours with just regular tools to install. Is it really that easy?
They say 55-75% hp gain...is that for real? How much HP is that really from a l98.
And lastly, is it worth it?
I want to add some HP. I'm going to do the exhaust, headers and all that, and i'm thinking about that down the road.
Any input would be great!

 

[74bigblock]

IMHO...

Supercharging the L98 will not give you that much power from what I have heard. There are a number of folks in the Chi-town area that have this mod, along with headers and cams. All the guys I know used Vortech, so maybe Procharger has something more to give? Supercharging is expensive. 8-10 hrs for a professional... if you have never done this particular kit.. it will prob take you 50-75% longer.

If I were you, I would consider heads, cam, and intake. The L98 is basically an LT1 with a 305 intake manifold. Keep that in mind when you are deciding what parts to buy with your hard earned cashola.

 

[Vettefan87]

Well the L98 is rated at 240 horse at the crank, 50 percent of that is 120. Which is what you would probably see at the crank, but since the stock intake is such a POS, I dont know if you would see those gains. I have also been tossing the idea around of a procharger. The price and the tuning aspect is what I can't get over, and I am not sure if it is really worth it. I think there are a couple of people on this forum that have superchargers on there LT1's, I am not sure about anybody with a supercharger on a L98.

I just did some searching and came up with this thread http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40980&highlight=Superchargers between that thread and the one listed in it you have a lot of info. I am glad I searched for it.

 

[ohsobad]

Supercharging.

I do not know anyone that has supercharged a L98, but I had it done to my '93
Z28. Be careful, those things are not as reliable as the companies advertise, trust me, my car has been in the garage for six years as a result. Im not trying to bash, but there is more to it than just bolting on their parts then driving and enjoying the new power. A lot of other things needs to be addressed before one installs a supercharger.:cry

 

[Vettelt193]

I do not know anyone that has supercharged a L98, but I had it done to my '93
Z28. Be careful, those things are not as reliable as the companies advertise, trust me, my car has been in the garage for six years as a result. Im not trying to bash, but there is more to it than just bolting on their parts then driving and enjoying the new power. A lot of other things needs to be addressed before one installs a supercharger.:cry

what brand did you get?

I haven't heard of anyone with problems with a proCharger. They make high quality kits... and if they aren't the best in the business, they are close.

8-10 hrs is a professional's number...
as said before, figure 2 or 3 times that to do it yourself.

L98's are no different than any other engine, you can use the rough formula to figure out approximate HP gains. the only 'problem' is the gains may be great percentage wise, but not so great when you look at the HP / $$. The same mod, at the same price to an engine that has more power will yield more power, so the HP/$ is better...

It also isn't that great a feeling to dump 5 grand on a car that is probably worth under 10 grand... it won't increase your value at all... If I had an older C4 and wanted some extra kick, I would probably just stick a bottle in it to get the max power/$; especially when figuring overall car value.

any way you decide to go, get a plan ready before you go heads in... What I mean is, if you are looking for 350 HP, find 2 or 3 ways to obtain it, and price them out... then compare your 3 'versions' of the build against drivability. once you pick a plan, you can effectively do it without wasting a ton of cash

 

[WhalePirot]

That is great advice lt193, and it seems this is part of his research. I dropped $20k on my '84, knowing it would not be returned if I sold the car. I also knew that I would have similar or better performance, when finished, than the more-quickly-depreciating $40k Z06 I was considering. Mine turned out great, but homework aforetime was key, as stated. I still made errors, but also learned a lot. More effective homework would've saved me time and money.

They hardest part is finding the folks who have been-there, done-it. Too many just have opinions or have something to gain through a sale, which clouds the accuracy of their info. That's unfortunately true here, in local 'speed shops' and in magazines.

 

[Vettelt193]

That is great advice lt193, and it seems this is part of his research. I dropped $20k on my '84, knowing it would not be returned if I sold the car. I also knew that I would have similar or better performance, when finished, than the more-quickly-depreciating $40k Z06 I was considering. Mine turned out great, but homework aforetime was key, as stated. I still made errors, but also learned a lot. More effective homework would've saved me time and money.

They hardest part is finding the folks who have been-there, done-it. Too many just have opinions or have something to gain through a sale, which clouds the accuracy of their info. That's unfortunately true here, in local 'speed shops' and in magazines.

I hear ya by far the biggest mistake is just adding random parts from catalogs to try to get more power, especially with no real goal... Although, one huge caveat: do what makes you happy...

your car is sweet, and I am sure it is even more sweet to you; knowing you love the car and you had a hand in building it.

 

[ohsobad]

Supercharging

I used a Procharger. From the first day that it was installed, there was nothing but problems. It is one of the biggest regrets in my automotive life. If I would have known that I was going to spend the money that I did after supercharging, I would have just got the 383 CID kit from lingenfelter, and would have come out cheaper. The companies selling these products don't address some issues until after you buy the product. With my kit I was advise to purchase a fuel pressure gauge, larger injectors, a timing retard system, and to use smaller gaps on the plugs, due to the forced air extinguishing the flame. They surely did not advise about the extra heat under the hood that started melting some hoses and my alarm siren. My car would over heat just idling, so a bigger and better radiator would help. Then the transmissions problems that occured put my project on the shelf. Should I mention that the support was awful. I had no problem talking to someone when it was time to order, but when I had a problem it turned into a ghost town. I would have the perfect garage if my supercharged 383 CID Z28 was operating along with my vette. Oh, I forgot to mention, I did have to get the engine overhauled due to the constant detonation. So I must be the only person that has had a horror story with a supercharger. At least thats what I was told when I talked to someone at their facility on a rare occaision. Again I'm not bashing, just telling the truth. The company can't feel my pain and it does not care.

 

[Vettelt193]

I used a Procharger. From the first day that it was installed, there was nothing but problems. It is one of the biggest regrets in my automotive life. If I would have known that I was going to spend the money that I did after supercharging, I would have just got the 383 CID kit from lingenfelter, and would have come out cheaper. The companies selling these products don't address some issues until after you buy the product. With my kit I was advise to purchase a fuel pressure gauge, larger injectors, a timing retard system, and to use smaller gaps on the plugs, due to the forced air extinguishing the flame. They surely did not advise about the extra heat under the hood that started melting some hoses and my alarm siren. My car would over heat just idling, so a bigger and better radiator would help. Then the transmissions problems that occured put my project on the shelf. Should I mention that the support was awful. I had no problem talking to someone when it was time to order, but when I had a problem it turned into a ghost town. I would have the perfect garage if my supercharged 383 CID Z28 was operating along with my vette. Oh, I forgot to mention, I did have to get the engine overhauled due to the constant detonation. So I must be the only person that has had a horror story with a supercharger. At least thats what I was told when I talked to someone at their facility on a rare occaision. Again I'm not bashing, just telling the truth. The company can't feel my pain and it does not care.

Now that just stinks.. sorry to hear your experience wasn't good.

it sounds like you were running pretty lean; I am pretty shocked to hear they weren't around to help... sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen

 

[Bioscache2]

Thats too bad all these bad stories. I can't vouch for the L98 but I researched the procharger along with other blowers pretty extensively for the LS1 and it was the best hp/$$ and everyone I talked to raved about it. The only suggestion I heard was order it through A&A cause the kit is the same price but they made some improvements. Don't know if A&A offers it for L98 but you might want to check.

 

[Vettefan87]

I used a Procharger. From the first day that it was installed, there was nothing but problems. It is one of the biggest regrets in my automotive life. If I would have known that I was going to spend the money that I did after supercharging, I would have just got the 383 CID kit from lingenfelter, and would have come out cheaper. The companies selling these products don't address some issues until after you buy the product. With my kit I was advise to purchase a fuel pressure gauge, larger injectors, a timing retard system, and to use smaller gaps on the plugs, due to the forced air extinguishing the flame. They surely did not advise about the extra heat under the hood that started melting some hoses and my alarm siren. My car would over heat just idling, so a bigger and better radiator would help. Then the transmissions problems that occured put my project on the shelf. Should I mention that the support was awful. I had no problem talking to someone when it was time to order, but when I had a problem it turned into a ghost town. I would have the perfect garage if my supercharged 383 CID Z28 was operating along with my vette. Oh, I forgot to mention, I did have to get the engine overhauled due to the constant detonation. So I must be the only person that has had a horror story with a supercharger. At least thats what I was told when I talked to someone at their facility on a rare occaision. Again I'm not bashing, just telling the truth. The company can't feel my pain and it does not care.

Sorry to hear your problems, but you should have gotten it professionally tuned, unless you are able to do it yourself. I would not attempt to put a a forced induction kit on my car and just throw some injectors, and a AFPR and retard the timing. I would make damn sure somebody tuned my car to make sure nothing would happen. Sorry to seem rude, but anytime you add anything that is making that much HP over stock you should definetly get the car tuned by a professional in my opinion, can't ever be to safe. It is like anything, if you get it tuned right, and dont run some ridiculous amount of boost a supercharger should not cause cascade failure like you had. Will it take some life off, probably since the motor was not designed for that much power, but since you say you've had yours rebuilt, with better parts I don't think you would be in any danger. I have seriously thought about a procharger kit, since I have recently rebuilt my engine, but I have no clue who I would have tune my car, and the money for the supercharger itself.

 

[WhalePirot]

nothing but problems. .........I was going to spend the money that I did after supercharging..........

etc. Sorry to capsulize your post. More air needs more fuel to produce more power meaning more heat as a by product, plus possible broken driveline parts. I learned the same way you did. A hi-power 383 will have most of the same issues you saw (and I also saw).

The lack of support is not just with them. It's all over; even with NetGear, for me, now. I found it true of L'felter, too.

Try to be glad that your experience can help another Vette-pal foresee the problems with modifying these cars. My overheating, melted wires and such, arcing plugs, broken Dana36, inoperative O/D, etc., all came later, and I spent $1000-$1500 on my custom PROM. I can attest, as can others, that building the motor and hanging it on the mounts is only a small start.

Other, limited mods may fall within the engineering design safety factors and not crop up so soon or so graphically. Those safety factors are a lot smaller than in the old days, due to cost and fuel economy targets. You just cannot expect major power increases not to cause problems in these new cars.

your car is sweet, and I am sure it is even more sweet to you; knowing you love the car and you had a hand in building it.

Wow, thanks, That's two in one day! Muchas arigatos!

I am not bitter about my mods, not in the least; just a bit wiser. I also love driving this beast and am glad I did what I did. Experience yields hindsight as to why such-and-such happened. I thought I knew what I was in for, but......... You do your homework aforetime and take your best shot, but there is always more that ya missed. Better research means less pain later. Asking a Vette owner who has the car you want to emulate how he got there, is the cheapest and wisest. That's a goal; therein's a roadmap.

You want excellent reliability and a quick car? Buy the one you're driving and leave it alone. It was designed by pros and tested until it was right. You wanna go faster, get the checkbook out and expect nasty surprises.

 

[jimmers]

well thanks for the replies guys. Good to hear others opinions on this. Ive been reading around quite a bit and i there is alot to consider about doing this.
I know that it is an older car, but i would never sell it. So to me the money would not be a waste. My main goal is to get a nice chunk of power. Ill take Vettelt193 advice and look for a few ways to get more power and compare the prices.
Thanks everyone...i loved the feedback. is great!

 

[vettezx-6]

Sounds like there have been some horror stories out there. I put a procharger kit on my car and it is spectacular. I bought the intercooled D-1 kit and it set me back about $4000. I know that it sounds like a lot but when you compare it to building a stroker with cam, heads, intake it's pretty reasonable. Plus one of the big advantages of a blower is that it doesn't change the idle characteristics, so as long as you don't go real extreme you won't need any major tuning. I haven't had mine to the track yet since I put it on, but you can feel how muck harder it pulls, one thing to consider is that the 700R4 is junk, 2nd gear is so long that you really need some gears, or a 6 speed. Definitely do your research first, but don't count out a blower just because of the cost.
P.S. the sound of a gear driven supercharger at a stoplight is almost worth the money itself.

 

[Vettefan87]

Sounds like there have been some horror stories out there. I put a procharger kit on my car and it is spectacular. I bought the intercooled D-1 kit and it set me back about $4000. I know that it sounds like a lot but when you compare it to building a stroker with cam, heads, intake it's pretty reasonable. Plus one of the big advantages of a blower is that it doesn't change the idle characteristics, so as long as you don't go real extreme you won't need any major tuning. I haven't had mine to the track yet since I put it on, but you can feel how muck harder it pulls, one thing to consider is that the 700R4 is junk, 2nd gear is so long that you really need some gears, or a 6 speed. Definitely do your research first, but don't count out a blower just because of the cost.
P.S. the sound of a gear driven supercharger at a stoplight is almost worth the money itself.

Welcome to the site! Where in Indiana are you located at? I am about 15 minutes from Notre Dame. Who did you have install yours, and did you have anybody tune your car? I am really considering putting a procharger or paxton on my car, depending on price and what not. I know I have a lot of research to do.

 

[G Winter]

Reading this thread leads me to question if building a 383 or supercharging is the best thing to do. Seems I have seen the LS engines advertised for the same price range. Even the newest crate engines go for about $7000 ???
Would it not be easier to just install one of the GM crate engines complete with ECM and warrenty ?

 

[WhalePirot]

G. That depends on your goal. More power is the root of the other problems. maybe my other post was too long and that got lost.

I've never seen a crate motor sold with the ECM, but I've not looked lately.

I don't believe the LS's bolt to the earlier C-4s w/o mods.

 

[Vettefan87]

I would have to agree, the computer systems, and sesnors on the LS cars are far more advanced. If you are looking to do that, it would be better to just sell your C4 and buy a C5, in my opinion. I dont know how you would even begin to compensate for all of the computer "stuff".

 

[Edmond]

I thought some of the small block ZZ crate motors are under $5,000 for a long block?

A bigger intake on the top and you have yourself one heckuva motor!

 

[vettezx-6]

Welcome to the site! Where in Indiana are you located at? I am about 15 minutes from Notre Dame. Who did you have install yours, and did you have anybody tune your car? I am really considering putting a procharger or paxton on my car, depending on price and what not. I know I have a lot of research to do.

I live in Bluffton. 20 miles south of Ft. Wayne. I installed my procharger myself, the kit came with EVERYTHING that I needed, and it was pretty simple. I'm taking it to the dyno on June 4th, so we'll see what it puts down. It made 198 horse when it was stock so any improvement will be great. I am expecting around 350, i hope. I didn't have to do any tuning on my car, my procharger kit came with a high flow fuel pump and a fuel management unit to raise fuel pressure under boost conditions. I am running about 10 lbs. of boost and haven't had any problems.....yet. I have been meaning to get some pics of the car on here for you all to see, the blower looks pretty awesome when you raise the hood. definitely do your research, there are a lot of ways to get horsepower, unfortunately with vettes none of them are cheap.