which Super Charger?

[ramman999]

The Car:
01 GT Vert, Auto tranny - it is a daily driver, but is the 3rd car so doesn't go out on bad days. My wife drives it as well. Mostly stop and go driving, but an occasional highway trip is to be expected here and there.

The mods:
K&N cold air
BBK 70mm T/B
Eibach Pro Springs
Dronemaster Cat back
3.73 or 4.10 rear (to be added)
Catted X pipe with SLP or Magnaflow cat backs(to be added)
Subframe connectors (to be added)
Supercharger (to be added)
Bama tuner


I am undecided on gears since this still will see some highway driving but is mainly a local drive - I think future plans will determine which way I go. This is my intended "wish list" over the next year, with future mods in red

Assuming a professional install, which direction do I go for a charger based on my - Vortex or Kenne Belle - price wise, it seems as through they are pretty close, outside of install. Throttle response is the biggest difference, correct?

For my anticipated driving, which is going to give me the best drive ability,less maintenance, fuel mileage, fun, etc?

 

[N8Dogg98]

Driveability = goes to the vortech. If you stay under 3,000 RPM's it will drive very close to stock making it easier to handle when road conditions are questionable.

Gas mileage = same

Maintenance = I am not really sure which unit will last longer, although I'm sure both will have trouble free service life if maintained properly. There are people who have had vortech units on their cars for many thousands of miles with out issue. I'd assume the vortech would be less maintenance because depending on the housing you choose it is lubricated using engine oil, so you don't have to do a separate oil change on the charger itself. IIRC KB's require that you change the supercharger oil. KB's are also harder on internal engine components because they create boost at very low RPM's so your internal engine components are subjected to higher pressures on a more frequent basis with a KB.

Fun = this is all a matter of opinion. I would take a KB anyday over a Vortech simply because that instant kick in the pants torque they provide throughout the rev range is freaking awesome and would be fun as hell. Vortech's can be fun too, but you in a way have to wait for boost to develop itself and once it does she pulls harder and harder all the way to redline. You really need to decide this one for yourself. Do you prefer the feel of a broad flat torque curve? Or do you prefer the feel of a engine that pulls aggressively harder as you approach redline?

 

[sneaky98gt]

Driveability = goes to the vortech. If you stay under 3,000 RPM's it will drive very close to stock making it easier to handle when road conditions are questionable.

Gas mileage = same

Maintenance = I am not really sure which unit will last longer, although I'm sure both will have trouble free service life if maintained properly. There are people who have had vortech units on their cars for many thousands of miles with out issue. I'd assume the vortech would be less maintenance because depending on the housing you choose it is lubricated using engine oil, so you don't have to do a separate oil change on the charger itself. IIRC KB's require that you change the supercharger oil. KB's are also harder on internal engine components because they create boost at very low RPM's so your internal engine components are subjected to higher pressures on a more frequent basis with a KB.

Fun = this is all a matter of opinion. I would take a KB anyday over a Vortech simply because that instant kick in the pants torque they provide throughout the rev range is freaking awesome and would be fun as hell. Vortech's can be fun too, but you in a way have to wait for boost to develop itself and once it does she pulls harder and harder all the way to redline. You really need to decide this one for yourself. Do you prefer the feel of a broad flat torque curve? Or do you prefer the feel of a engine that pulls aggressively harder as you approach redline?

I agree with all of this except that in bold. My car has a positive displacement blower (same type as Kenne Bell), and I have no issues with this at all. It doesn't matter if I'm turning 1000 rpm, 3000 rpm, or 5000 rpm, it drives just like stock as long as I'm not in boost, i.e. foot not in it.

With a supercharger and an auto, I would not go any higher than a 3.73 gear ratio. Not only would that much torque be useless with anything less than slicks, 4.10s would only allow you to go about 110 mph in 3rd gear, which is nowhere near enough for the 1/4 with the power you'll be making. 3.73s, on the other hand, would be perfect. They will give you enough torque multiplication down low to help get the car moving, and still allow for over 120 mph at 6000 rpm. Matter of fact, I'm planning on making the swap to 3.73s right here soon.

I will also say, the power that the Kenne Bell makes at low RPM (1500-3500) is SO MUCH FUN! I promise. My granddad's Mach 1's powerband is similar to a centrifugally blown car (Vortech) in that it really builds power as the RPM climb, and it is fun in that way. But that ton of low end torque/power is WAY more fun, in my opinion.

 

[N8Dogg98]

I just assumed PD blowers would be more touchy when driving around town, especially if it would include driving on ice, snow, or rain but I could be wrong.

 

[Noobz347]

I just assumed PD blowers would be more touchy when driving around town, especially if it would include driving on ice, snow, or rain but I could be wrong.

You're not wrong N8 but it's a matter of degree... What I mean is:

You learn how the PD acts just like you would any other mod. In this case, I think the PD 'effects' are more predictable than my previous centri blower because you know... just as sure you're sitting there, that when that vac gauge goes to zero that you're in boost.

That said, I've had ONE occation where I pulled over, popped the hood, disconnected the vac line going the bypass valve, and wired the bypass open. It was in patchy ice conditions.... what was happening is that I was making motor torque (starting, driving, various conditions) that would have the tires slipping. Not a problem... I'm not in boost when this happens and it's no different than any other car (that performs as poorly as a Fox in winter)... Where I ran into problems was when the tire(s) would hit a spot that they grabbed. The boost transition is so fast, that often, the by-pass valve would close (hitting boost) before there was time to react to the instant increase in traction (RPM drop, vac drop, bypass closes, boost, wheel breaks traction again... vicious cycle).

Road conditions jsut happen to be perfect for it on that day. Only ever had to do that once. Any other time, it's like driving a big block in weather.

 

[N8Dogg98]

^ I guess that's more or less what I was referring to. Like you said though when you own one (either PD or centri) you probably find out the quirks and learn how to drive it in any condition.

 

[sneaky98gt]

I just assumed PD blowers would be more touchy when driving around town, especially if it would include driving on ice, snow, or rain but I could be wrong.

I guess that it's possible that it could be slightly more touchy in hazardous conditions, but I doubt you'd really be able to tell a noticeable difference. I suspect the difference would be a lot less than the difference when going to a steeper gear ratio (which isn't much anyway).

 

[ramman999]

I appreciate all the thoughts guys - if/when I SC this, it wont see any hint of day without sun, so I am not to worried about driveability in the ice/rain, unless I get caught in a sun shower or something.

I'd prefer the low torque power but I didn't really think too much about internals - Its sounding like the Vortex is better from a maintenance standpoint, no?

 

[72 fastback]

I have 2002 gt conv that is bone stock that had a kb i/c kit installed on friday. It still needed some tuning but was safe to drive, so I took it for a spin. The low end torque was incredible it pulled hard as hell right up to the shift points and was over all extremely quiet.

 

[SaleenGT2001]

either kit is a good option. i have driven and owned both the KB and Centri type superchargers. i just picked up a KB 2.8 for my 2011 5.0. the KB style blowers are MUCH more fun on the street and they arent nearly as touchy as people are thinking. my old 2001 GT was making 751/634 with a Paxton and it had great street manners but just didnt perform as well as a KB car making 200 less HP than what i had.

i would personally think a KB would require less maintenance being that it runs its own oil (no tapping the pan like most centri chargers) and only requires a change every 10K. my old Paxton needs a rebuild now after being on the car for 20K b/c the oil seals are gone.

you need to drive both before you make your choice. once you drive them you will know which one you want