supercharger problems???

[Mick]

I just got an '03 10th anniversary convertible; which was the coolest thing i've ever done. i'm new to this, so i won't pretend to sound like a pro - but i know it's got the mods to push about 470hp or so; 12lb whipple pulley, heat exchanger, magnaflow exhaust, etc.
My question/concern is about the supercharger though: When I bought it 4 weeks ago, it whistled bigtime when i accelerated. Now it doesn't, but my gauges still indicate about 12lbs boost, and I can't say for sure it's running any slower. Every now and again when I do accelerate hard especially in 1st or 2nd, the green blower light on my dash lights up, and I need to let off the gas a bit for it to take off. I got the car without a owners manual. I'm going to get it tuned up or serviced, but should I be freaking out?
Thanks in advance
Mick

 

[chuckstang95]

the green light, is it your traction control light lol, you could be spinning the tires. I have a 99 and I know when I first got it and that light came on I had no idea what was going on. Hopefully someone with a modded 03 chimes in as well, good luck

 

[Mick]

that's half the problem

i think you may have just told me something there: i thought the dash 'icon' represented the supercharger; it may well be showing spun tires. everytime it has happened, it has been after i chirped the rear end pretty good.
now i just need to know where my whistle went & why i sometimes can't punch it hard without backing off the gas a little. ...hopefully i just need a tune up to compensate for the mods. thanks!

 

[Uncle Meat]

i think you may have just told me something there: i thought the dash 'icon' represented the supercharger; it may well be showing spun tires. everytime it has happened, it has been after i chirped the rear end pretty good.
now i just need to know where my whistle went & why i sometimes can't punch it hard without backing off the gas a little. ...hopefully i just need a tune up to compensate for the mods. thanks!

Yup! That little green light is actually a cartoonish looking spinning wheel. That's definitely your TC kicking on when you see it light up. It's pulling timing and fuel from the engine in an effort to stop the rear wheels from breaking traction. You can defeat this by shutting the TC off using the TC control button located on the dash directly above the shifter between the defrost and fog light buttons. Keep in mind that this button resets itself every time you turn the car off!

As for the whistling... it's possible when you bought the car the previous owner had installed a new supercharger belt. I think the Gates belts whistle more than the Goodyears do, or maybe it's vice-versa? Either way once the belt is broke-in the whine may not be as audible. The type of pulley can also enhance the amount of whine you hear. An open element under hood CAI can influence these levels too!

As for your pulley... I doubt it's a "Whipple" pulley because if it was I don't think it would physically fit on the Eaton M112's snout shaft. I'm sure you do have an aftermarket pulley, just not one made by Whipple though.

Did you get a handheld tuner along with the car? If not... I would run as fast as I could to the nearest dyno shop with wide-band and have your car checked!!!!!! VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT! You want to make sure that your tune is safe and the car is not running too lean. Those smaller blower pulleys require special tunes in order to work safely and since you bought this car used you have NO IDEA WHAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAS OR HAS NOT DONE! You want your terminator to live a long and healthy life? Heed my words!

U.M.

 

[Dr. Wu 2000]

Gatorback belts whistle more than the Gates. Only use Gates/Napa belts with a Billetflow non-slip upper pulley. If you use a Gatorback you will shred your belt.

 

[Uncle Meat]

Empty Your Pm Box Dr. Wu!

U.m.