I long ago decided that when I built an engine for my '88 it would be a blown monster. Now I'm at the point of picking a blower. I've seen the dyno charts, read the marketing hype, and even formed some preliminary opinions. My question is this: Does anybody have experience with more than one supercharger model? I am looking for as much as 10 psi of boost, and a charger that gives generously across the rpm band. What would you folks reccomend?

 

Centrificals are not generous across the rpm band. Positive displacement units are. 10psi is a bit high on pump gas with a roots style. You might look to whipple for a supercharger that is efficant enough to run those kinds of boost levels. If boost everywhere is what you are looking for, you might look into a turbo setup.

 

Well, I seriously considered turbo for awhile, but I do have some concerns. First is the idea of turbo lag. Just how noticable this will be in my application I have seen debated far too often, but it is something I would like to avoid if possible. Second, is the driving of the turbine. Exactly how does it work. I mean, I know that it it's driven off of exaust pressure, but that would seem to me to choke off your potential far more than driving the impeller of a SC off the crank. Any thoughts are welcome, I do try to keep an open mind, but I may be overbiased.

 

Superchargers do have some advantages...but thats not one of them. losses from turning a blower with the crank robs FAR more power that the losses from added backpressure with a turbo.

IMHO, turbos are the best way to go....If you actually have the ability to build the system. Thats a really big if, it's not easy or cheap.

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"American made baby. 100% American iron. The muscle among the masses. My hero. Yep, you can take your ergonomically designed, space age, computer controlled, 4 door, cup holding map lighted split double wishbone split fold down retractable cargo covered moon roof piece of transportation and keep it. For I have felt the thunder. And I know the difference!"
JSP Motorsports
ICON Motorsports

 

Yes there is a certain loss driving a turbo with exhaust but indeed it is much less than the loss of turning a blower with the crank The biggest problem with turbo systems is designing one that will work well for your needs. Picking the right turbo/s, & fabricating exhaust and induction tubing can be a hefty task for the average do it yourselfer.

If you do go with a supercharger and want 10 PSI boost a Paxton SN series is out. you could run a Vortech or ATI at that boost level though. If you do want to run pump fuel with 10 PSI you should be ok if your compression ratio and cam selection is reasonable. Intercooling would help also. The ATI Procharger comes with an air to air intercooler. The Vortech does not but you can buy a liquid to air intercooler (they call it an "aftercooler") from them.

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Tracy /AKA IROCKZ4me
'86 IROC-Z Camaro
"Cogito ergo zoom"

• 355 cid
• AFR heads
• Arizona Speed & Marine hydraulic roller cam w/ AFR hydra-rev kit
• modified SLP runners
• TRW forged pistons/ceramic coated
• fully balanced
• Edelbrock headers/ceramic coated
• SLP cat-back
• Paxton supercharger
• Nitrous Express nitrous oxide

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