I OWN A 2003 350Z AND WISH TO INSTAL A POWER ADDER SUCH AS A SUPERCHARGER OR A GREDDY TWIN TURBO KIT. I AM CURRENTLY LEANING TOWARDS INSTALLING A VORTEC OR PROCHARGER BASED SUPERCHARGER KIT DUE TO THE EASE OF INSTALLATION AND COST, HOWEVER, THE EMPLOYEES AT MY LOCAL SHOP REALLY TALK DOWN THE SUPERCHARGERS AS UNRELIABLE, NOISY, AND SHORT-LIVED (THEY SAY 20k TO 50k TOPS). LISTENING TO THEM TALK, A TURBO IS THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE AGREES, HAS HAD PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THOSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD ABOUT, OR WHO HAS SUCCESS USING A COOLED SUPERCHARGER SETUP.
I've been reading a little about supercharged 350Zs and I don't think they're incurring any problems. Superchargers and turbochargers alike need servicing at some point in time, so I don't see why the employees at your shop are talking down superchargers like that.
Even though I have no personal experience with superchargers, I don't see anything wrong with having one. Both types of forced induction (turbochargers and superchargers) have been around for quite a while. Superchargers would have been "extinct" if they weren't reliable.
I'd suggest that you contact 350Z owners who have turborcharged/supercharged their cars and ask them what each feels about what they have in their car. Make your own decision from the feedback you receive. Good luck.
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Sounds like either:
1. A couple of mechanics soured by really bad experiences with old supercharged domestics
2. Mechanics who are making an assumption as to how a supercharger will affect a car just from their "expertise" and what it feels like when they're sitting inside
Either way, both turbos and superchargers will require regular maintenance, and will usually need to be overhauled before you rebuild your engine. Most modern turbochargers (the turbines) and superchargers have excellent build quality and pretty good reliability records, so don't let that discourage you from one or the other. Just concentrate on which option has a power delivery more suited for your application.
Harris, ReVerm,
Thank you for your prompt replies. Although I left this out of my original post, I was there having a Borla catback exhaust installed. They said it was the first time they had touched a 350Z, but I watched and they did not have any problem with the installation. Besides, given the 20 degree temp. here in Columbus, Ohio, I thought it was better to let someone do the job who had a lift and some heat, than to have to slide around on the frozen concrete floor in my garage. Anyway, when I talked to the mechanics and owner, it seemed as if not one of them had a good thing to say about anything except RX-7's and Supra's. They especially seemed to hate Mustangs with Vortech superchargers. I don't discriminate, I think they can all be nice rides, to each his own, I just happen to like my 350. Again, thanks for your opinions, and if anyone else has had personal experience with turbo's vis a vis superchargers, please share your experience and opinion with me.
Ah, so it's just one of those really picky, anal retentive mechanics. I can understand where they're coming from though. They might complain a lot, but they're usually pretty good at what they do. I know. I'm the same way, and I happen to be living with one right now.
The procharger is a nice setup. Having some exposure to the procharger brand on major racing applications (mustangs) they are a VERY good supercharger. Very nice self contained units with some very unique engineering. Look the ProCharger equipped 350 Z just won the USCC. Sure there are advantages and disadvantages to both turbo's and superchargers but you have to buy what is right for you. The procharger is thus far a proven reliable power adder at a good price point. Sure you may be able to achieve more power output with a turbo setup, but at more cost. It depepnds on what you want to spend and what your goals are.
Wes,
Do you happen to know how "complete" the procharger kit for the 350Z is? I know the Greddy TT kit comes with Greddy's emanage unit, bigger fuel injectors, and an intercooler. However, although I have come across many vendors selling both the Procharger and Vortech kits for the 350Z, as of yet I have not been able to source any reliable information as to whether these kits come with a fuel management solution, piggyback, injectors, etc., or whether they come with, or even can be intercooled. I could use some help with this as I admit that I do not completly understand how these kits are marketed. I have emailed Vortech and Procharger, but have only received a cursory reply stating that I should contact a vender who sells one of these pre-packaged kits. Are the kits put together by Vortech and/or Procharger, or are they put together by someone who is just using their heads and name????
we got a 03 harley truck with s/c and it has around 50k and not a problem yet. but i would prefer the turbo charger sure the sc hits right away but it dies down as for the turbo keeps goin
Wes,
Do you happen to know how "complete" the procharger kit for the 350Z is? I know the Greddy TT kit comes with Greddy's emanage unit, bigger fuel injectors, and an intercooler. However, although I have come across many vendors selling both the Procharger and Vortech kits for the 350Z, as of yet I have not been able to source any reliable information as to whether these kits come with a fuel management solution, piggyback, injectors, etc., or whether they come with, or even can be intercooled. I could use some help with this as I admit that I do not completly understand how these kits are marketed. I have emailed Vortech and Procharger, but have only received a cursory reply stating that I should contact a vender who sells one of these pre-packaged kits. Are the kits put together by Vortech and/or Procharger, or are they put together by someone who is just using their heads and name????
Do a search man. ProCharger has a web-site with plenty of information. Call them directly and get more info. and find a dealer.
Do a search man. ProCharger has a web-site with plenty of information. Call them directly and get more info. and find a dealer.
i have had problems with superchargers. i went throuh three chargers in my vw corrado. i blew out the guts in a stock g-ladder,a paxston and a jackson racing so i will never have anything to do with another supercharger.just my personal experience.hope it helps and good luck
I'd prefer a turbo over supercharger for overall power and efficiency, but there's nothing wrong with superchargers if maintained correctly. Consider that Ford uses blowers on the Lightning and Cobra, and Mercedes uses them on their cars (and the AMGs).
I'd prefer a turbo over supercharger for overall power and efficiency, but there's nothing wrong with superchargers if maintained correctly. Consider that Ford uses blowers on the Lightning and Cobra, and Mercedes uses them on their cars (and the AMGs).
The Mustang (especially the recent ones) isn't a great example of good supercharger use, but I definately agree with that.
It takes just as much tuning and extra add on gadgets to make a SC and Turbo reliable. Superchargers can where out faster and don't have the maximum power capabilities like a Turbo. When the SC does go bad they are quite expensive. If you get a T3/T4 kit then you can get a replacement turbo for 500$. Either way is a good choice, it just depends on what your ultimate goal is.
The compressor on a Vortech or ProCharger is very similar to the compressor on a turbocharger. The difference is that a turbocharger is driven by exhaust gases and the Vortech/Procharger are driven off the crankshaft by a belt. They both supply compressed air to the existing intake system.
There is a drivibility difference, however, since there is no spool-up time with a crank driven compressor since it is spinning all the time, which makes for better throttle response.
As for longevity, if you maintain them they will last. The ProCharger has a self-contained oil supply which must be changed regularly. The Vortec uses the car's oil supply, and to install, a hole must be drilled in the pan for the drain, and an adaptor is added where the oil pressure sending unit connects for the oil supply.
The procharger is a nice setup. Having some exposure to the procharger brand on major racing applications (mustangs) they are a VERY good supercharger. Very nice self contained units with some very unique engineering. Look the ProCharger equipped 350 Z just won the USCC. Sure there are advantages and disadvantages to both turbo's and superchargers but you have to buy what is right for you. The procharger is thus far a proven reliable power adder at a good price point. Sure you may be able to achieve more power output with a turbo setup, but at more cost. It depepnds on what you want to spend and what your goals are.
Prochargers suck ass, I was arguing with them at SEMA, they were claiming 80% efficency from there supercharger which is imposible from the design whoich is old school from the 50's. The blades are radial like the first turbo's in the 40's for really bad internal aero, they are thick chunky CNC machined for poor aero, the diffusion ratio is wrong, there really is hardly any diffusor in the housing. Comperable compressors are about 50-60% efficent, or about the same as a good roots blow which sucks. At SEMA the gy at the procharger booth was telling customers that the bolower was 80% efficent and was looking at me when I laughed when he said that.
I don't think Procharger has engineers with centrifugal blower design experiance. Maybe they don't even have engineers. I could design a better blower. Every aspect of their compressor is wrong. It a good thing they have huge intercoolers because of the charge heating and run a lot of boost because of the parasitic loss.
The only reason why the Z won the USCC is the car that was going to win, a GTR blew up due to oil starvation in the last turn of the road race and missed the entire drag section, and it still almost won.
Many of the Z's with Prochargers are blowing up, it has a very crude form of engine managment which can't relaibly boost a 10.3:1 compression motor.
Turbos are the way to go for maximum power and reliabilty. The only supercharger with OEM qualifed internals is the Eaton, all Garrett turbochargers are OEM qualified and built to ISO/QS9000 standards which no aftermarket company can touch.
JWT's prototype Z and G35 turbo system just fired up today for the first time, I just got home from here.
Mike
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