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Thoughts on SuperChargers?

LogixRat

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LogixRat Enthusiast

LogixRat

Posted
Posted

About a week ago I had asked about the best way to make a 5.3 fast. Many of you responded to rip it and put in a 6.0. Since I have decided just to look into an SS truck with the 6.0 pre-installed.

 

But one question still remains, what about a supercharger? I have a co-worker that really slammed the idea of wasting money to get one installed. While I value his opinion I am thinking maybe he just got a bad deal.

 

Any of you running them? What has been your experiences? What are the downfalls? Would you do it again?

peppersac Enthusiast

peppersac

Posted
Posted

I supercharged my 5.3 and i love it. Whats not to love about more horses? The install was easy. My bubby and i did the install in about 6 hours!

mcreyaufmiller Senior Enthusiast

mcreyaufmiller

Posted
Posted

super chargers are a good way to increase your power. The idea behind them, is to pressurize the intake, more air in and more gas to go with it. personally, I like them, I wish someone made one for my truck. But I seem to have a forgotten engine that noone wants to support with performance parts.

LogixRat Enthusiast

LogixRat

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I realize the best part about a charger is the horsepower. But I have not done enough research yet to determine which brand gives you the most and works the best.

 

But moreso, I was looking for any potential pitfalls. My co-worker had pointed out that adding a supercharger would probably reduce my engine life to about 50k if I drove fairly conservative. Are there any actual users that can support or deny this claim?

 

While I want to go fast, I don't want a vehicle that will be continually breaking down on me.

mjgjr72 Enthusiast

mjgjr72

Posted
Posted
Any of you running them?  What has been your experiences?  What are the downfalls?  Would you do it again?

 

 

 

put a magnacharger radix on my 2k ecsc w/5.3, has 6" lift 315/75/16 bfg mt tires and 4.56 gears, is my daily driver.

 

was a complete kit with intercooler, fairly easy install, was and has been problem free except my install error, put throttle body gasket on backwards and had a high idle on start up, easy fix, runs great, got solid power gains through rpm range.

 

only drawback is have to run 91 or better gas and you get lead foot disease, and tend to wear tires down faster.

 

i would do it again in a heart beat. i love it.

mjgjr72 Enthusiast

mjgjr72

Posted
Posted
I realize the best part about a charger is the horsepower.  But I have not done enough research yet to determine which brand gives you the most and works the best.

 

But moreso, I was looking for any potential pitfalls.  My co-worker had pointed out that adding a supercharger would probably reduce my engine life to about 50k if I drove fairly conservative.  Are there any actual users that can support or deny this claim?

 

While I want to go fast, I don't want a vehicle that will be continually breaking down on me.

 

 

 

the magnacharger only runs 5-6 psi of boost under load, and has bypass so there is no boost at idle and cruise, will have minimul effect on motor lifespan, with proper mantainence motor should last.

dannyukonxl Enthusiast

dannyukonxl

Posted
Posted

id say superchargers are nice for the daily driver.. "daily"... but if youre looking for some go fast juice under the hood then what about one of those sts turbo systems, they cost about the same as a non intercooled s/c dont they?

mcreyaufmiller Senior Enthusiast

mcreyaufmiller

Posted
Posted

When you consider the ammount of turbos and superchargers on new vehicles from the factory that have no problem. The only way I can see the life being reduced is if you use the wrong fuel, and do not do maintence on your machine. Oh yeah, and if there is a incorrect installation.

Supercop8100 Enthusiast

Supercop8100

Posted
Posted

The supercharger principle was designed with efficiency and power in mind. A supercharged engine that is in good shape when the supercharger is put on should last well over the the original factory lifespan if the proper maintenance is performed, correct gasoline/components are used and the engine is not consistantly held above its RPM range(in tha red). Superchargers are not made to be installed on a vehicle to be driven like a granny car. As long as the RPM range is kept into consideration the supercharged engine should last considerably longer with excellent maintenance. And you have the go fast whenever you want it. I am going to install a Magnacharger on my 8.1L soon, and it has 126,000 miles on it.

 

:dupe:

 

:P

 

:mad:

Guest chevydeerhunter

Guest chevydeerhunter

Posted
Posted

If you think about it, superchargers helped the US and other ally forces win WWII as they were used on our fighters. They've been around for generations and have withstood the test of time and technology. Although you may respect your friend's opinion, I doubt his thoughts are valid because of the "50k mile reduced engine life" comment. I'm not saying he's an idiot, just that the comments are unfounded. I used to run a Weiand 6-71 blower on my small block 400 in my '69 GTO with absolutely no problems. Even when the belt broke(which is almost impossible with a 4" wide belt), the engine still got me home. That was a roots type blower and I'm sure you're looking into a screw type or a centrifugal type blower. The latter have come a long way and are self contained units that are very reliable both on the street and strip. The advantage of these superchargers are the instant throttle response and low maintenance.

  • 2 months later...
sleepur606 Enthusiast

sleepur606

Posted
Posted

Not that this is a viable option for a true daily driver, but since when has anybody that really wanted to go fast been worried about breaking things? Anyway, a company based out of Europe called Rotrex has been developing a twin supercharger sytem for the Chevy 6.0 Tahoes and it should be interchangeable to the trucks. Not sure who they teamed up with here in the states, read it in a magazine. The Tahoe, now that I think, uses a single supercharger, and makes somewhere around 100+ extra horses at the wheels. The twin screw set up is supposed to bring in 900+ at the crank on a 6.0. Been thinking of doing this on my 02 HD, maybe with a Banks Duramax intercooler. But then again, I'm a little crazy when it comes to ideas for powerplants.

sleepur606 Enthusiast

sleepur606

Posted
Posted

And before you ask, I'm not a spoiled rich kid, I just dream big. All I've got right now is a K&N intake, Hughes trans pan, MSD coils and plug wires, and a whole lot of wishin.

LogixRat Enthusiast

LogixRat

Posted
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Posted

Wow, this thread resurfaced to the top. I just wanted to say thanks to all that commented. Since posting I discovered the 6.0L option in a VortecMax package. I'm seriously considering the bigger motor over the supercharger, but so far the budget is screaming 5.3 and then add the supercharger when I get a nice Christmas bonus or tax return!

 

It sounds like the Magna Radix charger is the way to go. I do like to go fast, but don't plan on running to down the strip every weekend. Depending how well developed and tested the dual charger system is I might consider that. It sounds very impressive! :flag:

 

Again, thanks to all that responded. Feel free to keep the responses coming. :banghead:

2004GMC1500CC Enthusiast

2004GMC1500CC

Posted
Posted
Wow, this thread resurfaced to the top.  I just wanted to say thanks to all that commented.  Since posting I discovered the 6.0L option in a VortecMax package.  I'm seriously considering the bigger motor over the supercharger, but so far the budget is screaming 5.3 and then add the supercharger when I get a nice Christmas bonus or tax return!

 

It sounds like the Magna Radix charger is the way to go.  I do like to go fast, but don't plan on running to down the strip every weekend.  Depending how well developed and tested the dual charger system is I might consider that.  It sounds very impressive!  :flag:

 

Again, thanks to all that responded.  Feel free to keep the responses coming.  :banghead:

 

 

 

 

Have you driven the 5.3? Mine has no power issue!

93GreenDemon New Member

93GreenDemon

Posted
Posted

A supercharger,turbo,and nitrous are all great power adders.It just depends on what you are looking for and what you want to invest.There are several great kits of all 3.Just pick the one you want to deal with and have the money to invest.I have a friend with a 01 Silverado with a Squires turbo kit and it makes crazy power.And they are not that bad involved to install.

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