Newbie Supercharger Question

ponylegacy · August 13, 2009

Hi Guys I'm new here as you can see. I like you site! So here goes the question. I've got a stock 2008 GMC Sierra 5.3L SLT and I would like to supercharge it. Which kit would be best and why? I drove a chipped '06 F350 before this so I really miss the power. After all is said and done I'd like to see around 450 at the flywheel.

cliobogger · August 13, 2009

seeing as your 5.3 puts out close to 300hp already, its not hard to achieve at all. i would go to blackbears website (in the adds to the left) they do custom tunes and they are a magnacharger dealer. 450 would be easily achieved through them.

jrrod2004 · August 13, 2009

as noted above, a Magnacharger kit along with the BB Tune will get you to 450 at the flywheel. Make sure to address the trans as well as the rear end unless you like shrapnel

ponylegacy · August 13, 2009

as noted above, a Magnacharger kit along with the BB Tune will get you to 450 at the flywheel. Make sure to address the trans as well as the rear end unless you like shrapnel

You don't think trans/read end will hold this kind of power gain? Also I was looking at the procharger kits. Are those any good?

jrrod2004 · August 13, 2009

as noted above, a Magnacharger kit along with the BB Tune will get you to 450 at the flywheel. Make sure to address the trans as well as the rear end unless you like shrapnel

You don't think trans/read end will hold this kind of power gain? Also I was looking at the procharger kits. Are those any good?

Hell no...the trans would be the first to go and the rear end would eventually. These parts are made to "exacting" tolerances...not like the old days where everything was over engineered. I voted for the Magna Charger Kit since it is based on the roots style system and this gives good low end power (where it will be used more often) and has virtually no lag. The downside is that the heat will always be a bigger issue in the Magna Charger kit than the Pro Charger kit. Pro Charger relies on air to air cooling which makes it more resistant to pinging/detonation and when setup exactly like the Magna Charger kit, it produces more power. The Pro Charger may have the lag issue (like a turbo but not as profound) than the Magna Charger Kit. These were the issues present in 2004 and I felt that I should at least bring them up (since that was the last time that I really looked into the two) but I know that Magna Charger has picked up its game and may be the winner this time around...check to see if there are heat issues for both, what PSI each runs and what gains are expected with a given PSI.

Now since I have never RAN any supercharger, I cannot speak first hand but there are those here that have done it and can give tips/pointers based on their experience.

EvolutionX · August 13, 2009

I was also looking into these MagnaCharger kits for my 6.0, but they are very pricey! So what kind of supporting mods are needed with an S/C?

jrrod2004 · August 13, 2009

I was also looking into these MagnaCharger kits for my 6.0, but they are very pricey! So what kind of supporting mods are needed with an S/C?

List:

Get a better fuel pump

Get a better trans

Get a better rear end

Get a better cooling system (if not already reinforced by the kit)

Buy LOTS of tires

and last but not least:

get the best rated brakes that you can find (does not have to be a big rotor kit) that has great heat dissipation for stopping all that power

Wingnut · August 13, 2009

The new TVS line of Magnachargers don't have as many heat issues as the ones that are being phased out (M112).

My TVS1900 kit came with a BAP too. Now...While they're not the BEST solution...I'll run it until I line up a new bucket/pump assembly. GET SOME GAUGES that'll warn you when your fuel pressure and/or A/F ratio drops to dangerous levels. If your fuel pump or BAP die while in boost, you're going to have an instantaneous yard sale on scrap metal.

I wouldn't worry too much about the transmission right off the bat if you're not going to be doing launches. It's going to break eventually though...So plan for it.

Here's the simple idea that I used when deciding on which type of FI to go with.

Turbos (too much hacking up the car...The GTO anyway...Don't know what you'd have to do with the trucks)

Procharger - track monster

Magnuson - Street beast

Since 99.999% of my driving is on the street, I went with the maggie. Prochargers build boost with RPM's, and will spin to the moon. Maggies are in full boost from the get-go...But don't build it as the RPM's climb. It's just there. Always. That's what I wanted for my street car. It'll be no slouch at the track either.

jrrod2004 · August 13, 2009

The new TVS line of Magnachargers don't have as many heat issues as the ones that are being phased out (M112).

My TVS1900 kit came with a BAP too. Now...While they're not the BEST solution...I'll run it until I line up a new bucket/pump assembly. GET SOME GAUGES that'll warn you when your fuel pressure and/or A/F ratio drops to dangerous levels. If your fuel pump or BAP die while in boost, you're going to have an instantaneous yard sale on scrap metal.

I wouldn't worry too much about the transmission right off the bat if you're not going to be doing launches. It's going to break eventually though...So plan for it.

Here's the simple idea that I used when deciding on which type of FI to go with.

Turbos (too much hacking up the car...The GTO anyway...Don't know what you'd have to do with the trucks)

Procharger - track monster

Magnuson - Street beast

Since 99.999% of my driving is on the street, I went with the maggie. Prochargers build boost with RPM's, and will spin to the moon. Maggies are in full boost from the get-go...But don't build it as the RPM's climb. It's just there. Always. That's what I wanted for my street car. It'll be no slouch at the track either.