I've finally decided to go FI with my low mile 2003 Z. I'm considering a turbonetics turbo kit vs. a Vortech supercharger. I'm looking for longetivity of the engine and will be keeping the boost at 8psi. I'd like to know in your opinions which would be better for me supercharger vs. turbo.

Thanks for your input.
Peter

 

i think that's totally a matter of opinion and no one can really answer that for you... i have the vortech kit so im a little biased but honestly if you have the money i would say go for the turbo kit.... i feel there is much better room and ability to upgrade later... at 8 psi boost is boost really it doesnt matter if its gonna be charger or turbo.. its just a matter of what your lookin to do with it.. the vortech is fairly easy to install but you have the possibility of belt slippage so they both have ups and downs i guess

 

trade the 350 in, use the extra money you were gonna use to go boost and buy a 370.

 

i'm actually looking at both of these kits. i've been searching since yesterday on most threads.

I think i would be happy with the turbonetics with the 5 psi spring. though the issues about everyone rather get the powerlab and the ac lines keep melting sucks.

vortech is nice too . what to do , what to do.

 

100shot FTW. Youll beat the Vortech and the Turbo car...plus youll spend 500$ compared to $7000.

N20 FTW.

 

SC kit is reliable and safe on the stock block. i'd suggest u take that route since you have a goal set. belt slippage is not a "real" issue as you may call it, cuz that can be fixed.

read more, do your research, take your time, think twice and decide. whatever amount you'll be spending on a kit, add an extra 50% to it (if not more) for things that might just come outta no where.

good luck

 

I got the vortech for a few reasons:
1- I got a killer deal on one
2- reliability
3- safe on stock motor and good for my power goals
4- easy to install

I have a few friends with turbonetics and they have nothing but problems and no AC ever

Do a search theres plenty of info

 

Here it is in a nutshell...

If you're happy with 400~450 whp, vortech...

If you want more or you think you will eventually want more, turbo....

And finally, if you like getting kicked in the pants hard when accelerating, then definitely turbo!

 

Two different beasts there. The deciding factor for me is the power curve. I like the idea of having substantial power gains through the curve with a turbo. Just check out some dyno charts and see which one typically has the power delivery you'd prefer.

 

ibtl

 

This is great info, and thanks. I've already got a turbocharged Mustang putting out 550whp at the low boost setting. Before that it was Vortech supercharged. I remember the power with the supercharger came on smoothly as the rpm's rose. With the turbo it is a different animal, I can snap the tires loose in gears 1-4, that's why I'm mini-tubbing it now.

It seems that a lot of Z owners are blowing their engines with less than 400whp with a turbo. This is my daily driver and I want the engine to last. I guess I might be willing to trade in that kick in the butt acceleration for reliability. Am I wrong turbo owners?

 

i think the people that are blowing there engines with a turbo at 400 whp either
a. have a bad tune
b. are stupid when driving and are mashing it every second they are driving
c. didnt upgrade things that should have been ( arp headstuds etc)
d. bad install possibly

anyway...since you already have had both types or cars, turbo and supercharger, i think its up to you and the research you do...you can easily have a 400whp Z thats reliable and turbocharged...i think its all about how you treat your car, and the install....

 

N20 ftw.

 

I will say the TN kit. When I had mine the car was a blast to drive and the TQ is what made it so much fun. The car pulls hard under accelleration and breaking the tires loose in second is always a good time.

IMO at 8.5lbs of boost the TN kit is as safe as any FI mod can be. Plus, the Raptor BOV was pure sex.

 

Go with Powerlab kit. We need to see more powerlab owners...TN and vortech already too many.

chefj

 

vortech safe for stock block and good power u would enjoy

 

if you are def stayin with the stock block, turbonetics. the area under the curve rocks the vortech hands down.

 

can you post something relevant for once? no one asked about nawwws.

 

great post, i have the same exact questions.

i'm also doing a lot of reading, but still need to find this info:

w/ sc, are you constantly under boost? therefore would your engine see more pressure and therefore less life? vs the TN turbo, where in low rpms, you might not see the boost. so in low rpm daily driving, you may be getting a longer life.

anyways, great post, look forward to some more answers.

 

No with a supercharger a bypass valve vents boost under part throttle. As you press the gas pedal down that bypass valve shuts and the boost goes into the engine. A supercharger delivers boost in a very linear progressive way. This is safer for your engine, specifically the connecting rods which are the VQ's weakness. The torque that a turbo delivers will make the car feel faster and will have more "surge" in the lower rpms. While this is fun it does cause more stress on your motor in the long run. This is not to say that you will blow your motor if you turbo it though. Many people have done the Turbonetics kit and have had great luck with it. I was going to go turbo and decided to go with a supercharger mainly because I got a great deal on a used one and felt that the install was easier. I can say I wish I had more low end power but the power on the top end is very nice. I also want to autoX my car and a supercharger's consistent powerband will make my car easier to control going around a tight track. As for drag racing I believe a supercharger will hang with an =whp turbo since it is all high end power anyway. It really boils down to what you want. If I could do it all over again I might of done the Powerlab kit just because it comes complete and includes a utec. Even if you go with a turbonetics kit, make sure you at least buy a utec just to keep things safe. Here is a video of a 0-120 run with my Vortech. This is an example of what an average supercharged Z would be like. I just have the 3.12 pulley and the stock exhaust (at the time of this vid) but I have changed out my exhaust from stock and added a 2.87 pulley recently. I am getting a re-tune next week so I'm hoping to be around 400whp on a dynojet.

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