Supercharger Update

8.11.98

Thought I would relay my current experience with getting my SC from Vector Performance.

They finally tell me today that my Satin Supercharger will be here this Wed. When I asked why not Polished? He said there is too many problems with the Polished unit.

I didn't quite understand the reason, "Clearances due to polishing the unit too much." and some part that would not fit, or something like that.

I decided to buy from James because two other users bought from him and were happy with the service. I didn't buy from him to save money, I did because he also installs them and is familiar with the unit (I was planning on going to his shop). Now he did say today (08.11.98) it would take time to get a polished unit, but he already has one in the shop. I am sure he knows I want the Polished one, I always referred to the unit that RK Sport sells.

I took this week off to install the SC and now he says the Satin version will be here on Wed (08.12.98). It was suppose to be last Tues (08.04.98). I am running out of time and James knows all this.

I am wondering if I should have bought from RK Sport? They would have sold it for the same price. Its just they do not install them.

8.12.98

Just wanted to update you on the dealings with Vector.

I talked with him today and he offered to get me the Polished unit, install and tune it for half-price. (He doesn't want me to blow my motor.) He understands that I am on Vacation and is trying to keep good on his promise. But it looks like I won't be getting it installed until next week. (I am leaving it with him for two days.)

This is the kind of service I was hoping for. And if everything works out alright, I will be another satisfied customer.

I will let you know what happens after next week.

8.20.98

James has my car today to install the Supercharger. Was able to start it for a few minutes, that blower whine sounds pretty good. Might even have it tomorrow. He also installed some items in preparation for the 9 lb kit.

He also showed me what he was talking about when he mentioned the problems with the polished unit. Apparently when they polished the unit, they polished the inside halves where they mount together. Which makes the vanes touch the inside of the unit. It makes sense now.

8.21.98

Got my Car back from James. He got it done early and did a great job! The chrome intake tube didn't come it time, so he had to install a painted one for the time being. It runs real fast. A little rough at idle, James says it is because I took out my MAF screen. I have one on order from Chevy, will try it when it comes in.

Tried my best to race anyone. I wanted to see how it runs. Had a couple GT's come up on me fast. But when I got on it, they backed off. Dang! I guess the exhaust scared them. I got the whole weekend to see how it does. Very happy with it. The best mod yet!!

Hey Steve B, I am ready to run ya... :) And Terence, we will be waiting for you at the next light!

8.23.98

Well the weekend is almost over and of course I haven't been in a race to test this Supercharger. I have probably came up against 4 GT's and 3 Z28's, no one wants to race. Of course before I had the blower, I had everyone and there mother trying to race me. They must hear that Blower whine. :)

8.28.98

Got my first run on the Dyno. Very disappointing. All readings at rear-wheel. Stock should be about 156.8 hp and 191.1 lbs.
With full timing advance: 173.3 HP at 4500 and 241.3 lb torque at 3250.
With Crane timing retard set at .75: 176.1 HP at 4500 and 234.6 lb torque at 3000.
20 more hp and 50 lb torque. Yuk! I decided I better get an Auto-Meter Boost Gauge and see what I am running. I am only running 2-3 psi. No wonder the readings are so low. I tighten the belt and was able to get the boost up to 5-6 psi. It runs real strong now. I will get another Dyno to see what it is now. I am hoping it to be about 220 -230 hp.

8.30.98

Well it looks like my blower is shot. James is getting another one for me while mine is repaired or replaced. I took the tubes off to get the oil out of them and notice the front part of the SC rotated. I guess when they polished it they polished the area where they mount. Here is a picture. And cause the two halves to be loose. That is why my boost is so low. James told me some of the polished ones have this problem, (mine didn't when he installed it.) but since I was spending so much money I wanted polished. He is going to install a satin one until the other one comes in.

9.6.98

I finally got into a race! One with a 1998 GT and a 300ZX. They are toast! 300ZX couldn't keep up on the freeway, blew the GT away from a light. You should have seen the face on the young kid driver. :) Still trying to go against a Z28. No luck yet...

9.11.98

James took out my Supercharger and was able to retighten the blower halves. He used some wire to space the washers up. Not sure if I like that. Going to talk to Powerdyne and see if they will send me another one to replace it. He also installed my chromed lower intake hose for the Supercharger.

I got another Dyno. This time the belt was re-tighten and I was running at 5 psi. Readings are at rear-wheel.
With full timing advance: 209.9 HP at 5000 and 241.3 lb torque at 4500.
With Crane timing retard set at .75: 216.8 HP at 4500 and 243.8 lb torque at 4600
They ran the car in 4th gear. But we hit the speed governor. That is why the readings are at 5000 rpm. They were still climbing. At the rate it was going up, I think it should be at about 230 HP at 5500 rpm. Thats comes out to about 285 hp at the crank.

I also got my Hurst Shifter installed. Another great mod, shifts are quick and firm. I can get 2nd gear chirps with no problem.

9.12.98

I decided I didn't want to spend the $34.95 for a 160 thermostat. Plus I still wanted a heater. Went to Pep Boys and bought a 180 thermostat, O-Ring, and Gasket. All for about $7.00. I'll have to dyno it again but it seems to run even stronger now.

So I had to try it out. I was taking off from a light. About half-way through it, I decided to punched it. When the boost came in a second later, the tires broke loose. I couldn't believe it. Probably couldn't do that again.

9.13.98

Got into a race with a older RX-7. We were cruising on the freeway at about 70 mph, when I noticed he started to slow down. Then I knew what he was doing. He downshifted into 3rd. So I slowed to 60 and also dropped to 3rd. He got the jump on me and was 1 car length ahead. I punched it and the speedometer started to climb, I shifted into 4th and started to gain up on him. I past him going about 105 mph. I was surprised he did so well. I think he had a turbo, otherwise I should have taken him more quickly.

9.25.98

I was at Vector today, James installed a Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump. (Heard of it? Comments) Suppose to increase fuel volume up to 50% with a variable control. And only under boost. It increases voltage to the stock fuel pump, up to 16 volts. When I told him I didn't like the noise of aftermarket units, he suggested this unit.

He also installed a Blower bypass valve. This is suppose to bleed the pressure of the blower when de-accelerating. He says the air in front of the throttle-plates and after the blower heats up when it get compressed, this unit bleeds it out. Mine now seems faster. I did some testing and instead of having the air re-enter the tube, I had it bleed to the atmosphere. After a few runs, I checked the temperature of the blower. It was much cooler now, I guess the colder air circulating through it help alot. It also sounds pretty cool right after I let up on the accelerator. You can hear the air rush out.

9.26.98

I got into two races today, one with a older 93 GT and another newer 98 GT. It was a rolling start from at light at 5-15 mph. He got on it first and was a good car and a half away. I got on it and caught up to him and then past him by a car and kept pulling slowly. We were at the next light. When the light turned green, we both went. The GT started to spin its tires. I took him right out of the hole, and was a good car-length ahead and he couldn't keep up. After that he was just behind me and we were like that until 115 mph. Then I hit the speed governor and that was it, I had to shut it down. Then again, I wasn't really pulling any further. (I hope they build that Programmer soon.) It was a good race, he surprised me. I though I would have done better. What kind of HP does it have?

The race with the Black 98 GT was a short one. Both at the light, he was sizing me up. I'm sure he knew I was a V6. I wasn't sure he wanted to race but when the light turned green, I heard him hit the gas and his tires burning. It was on, I dropped the clutch and pulled him right off the line. (Love that Posi!) I was two car length ahead and it was over. Got a flash from the headlights, I waved as I turned at the next light.

10.04.98

Me and Steve B. decided to enter our Cars in a all Chevy Car Show at Richard Hibbard's Dealership in Claremont Ca. called Covettes for Fun.
There was about 100 cars including Nomads, Impalas and El Caminos. A Z28 got 2nd runner up in our class " '90 to '98 Camaro Stock". Steve B. was 1st runner up and I got First Place! We were both surprise to get anything. More surprise to beat out a Z28.

10.16.98

Tonight I got into a race with a '97 Mitsubishi Eclipse. We were on the freeway going about 70 mph. When he decided to gun it. Of course he did this when I had a car in front of me. I got around the car and next to him, waiting to for the traffic to clear. He kept racing me knowing there were cars in front. He thought he won so he flashed his lights at me. We finally we got into clear traffic, and I dropped my car into third. We were off. I started to gain on him, shifted into 4th and past him up! I'm sure he didn't like that because he got off the freeway at the next exit.

Do these cars have Superchargers? I kept hearing a whistling sound when he shifted like a blowoff valve. What kind of HP do these cars have?

10.20.98

I just had my High-Flow Cat installed by American Muffler today. I went with the 3" model. So now I have 3" pipes all the way back.

It is alot louder now, not sure if the tone has changed. I am hoping it will get deeper when it burns in.

Took it for a test drive. It runs great!! I couldn't believe the power. Then I glanced at my boost gauge. OH SHIT!! I was at 8-9 psi!!!!! No wonder it was running so hard. I had to run it a few more times to make sure.

I don't understand just by making a better flowing exhaust, power would increase this much. I am sure I am over 300 HP! Time for another Dyno.

Wanna Race Steve????

10.23.98

Well I lost my first race today against a Mustang GT. I was at a light with a newer one. When it turned green. We both floored it. He started to pull ahead and I couldn't figure out why. I have always been able to beat them. I then glanced at my boost gauge, it read ZERO!!! Oh SHIT!! It took me two seconds to figure out what happened. I broke my belt.

I had the car towed back and call Kragen to see if they had the belt. They did. Brought it back and started to installed. It only took about a 1 hr with a help of a friend. I should have replaced it when I installed the Blower. I made sure the belt had about 1" play. Took it for a test drive....WOOHOO!! 8-9 psi of BOOST!!!

I guess the original belt was so glazed it was slipping. The new one wasn't and was able to grab the blower pulley better. I might not need the 9 lb pulley after all. Will talk to Vector about it. Anyways, I guess that is why I was able to get 9 psi before. I am very happy now. Going to try to DYNO it next week.

10.29.98

Ok, got my Dyno run with the new belt on the Supercharger.
First run at was at 7 psi: 237.2 HP at 5000.
Second run at 9 psi: 248.2 HP at 5000.
It was still climbing. but I hit the speed governor again. The way is was climbing we thought it would reach 260 HP. Which comes out to about 330 HP at the crank.

When I get to a scanner, I'll post the sheet.

11.11.98

Got my 160 Hypertech Powerstat installed today. Here is some pics of the install.

12.04.98

Just got back from the dyno, I was able to take the car to 6000 in 4th. So disconnecting the speed sensor worked.

What is interesting is my peak HP is about 5200. On previous runs, it looks like it dropped off at 5000. I ended up with 253.7 RWHP. Crane ignition was set at 1. And using pump gas.

Ran the ignition at 0, but lost about 5 HP.

I imagine with octane booster or racing gas and the Crane set at zero, I could probably get another 10 HP.

First run at was at 9 psi: 253.7 HP at 5200. 280.2 lb of Torque. Crane at 1.

12.14.98

I borrowed Steve B.'s G-Tech Pro tonight, thanks Steve! I went ahead and tried it tonight because it was very cold. On the first try got 13.95 @ 105.6.

I am going to practice and see if I can get it down lower....

This was on pump gas, crane @ 1. Later I will try it on octane booster, crane @ 0. Then maybe play with the Borla Plates.

Still need to get to the track....

12.17.98

I just tried another way to vent the crankcase. I have been thinking about getting a catch-can to help the engine breath. Steve B. set one up with a plastic bottle. I tried it temporary to see if that would work before spending the $$$ for a real catch-can.

We used a Mr. Gasket Crankcase Breather Cap to replace the oil filler cap. Ran a hose from it to a plastic bottle. I also removed some of the filter element to allow it to breather better. It has been one day and it looks promising.

01.01.99

The Mr. Gasket breather worked well, but started to leak oil around the top. I took it off and replaced it with the old oil spout that is plumed with a metal fitting. It works good. So will probably be getting the catch-can later on.

02.20.99

One of my Punch 150's went out. And another is going. So decided get some more amps. I check and researched and decided on the new line of Rockford Fosgate Amps. I bought the 800a4 and a 500a2. They sound great!

03.06.99

I finally got to race a Trans-Am Ram Air!! It was a nice Black one. It turned on to the street were I was driving. Two-lane road with a stop-light. We got to the light, I looked over. He looked over. :) I gave him a small rev to let him hear the blower and engine, and hoping he would want to race. Of course he did, got a little rev back from him and I knew it was on.

I knew I was going to lose.....but....

Light went green and I got the jump on him!! I was in front about a few feet, shifted to second and he was right next to me pulling ahead. Then to third. By the time we got to the next stop-sign, he was only a car-length away. I couldn't believe it. Losing to a Trans-Am by that much ain't bad. I was happy.

He did roll his window down and ask me what I had. I told him a V6. You should have seen his face. A V6 almost kept up with him. Hehe....

I wonder how I would do against a Z28??

04.05.99

Bought some Comp T/A's for the car.

04.24.99

Bought some new Chrome Wheels for the car.

05.22.99

Had to take the blower off. The bolt that held the pulley backed out and the pulley started to dance on the shaft. The blower itself seized up on me. Talked to James at Vector, he will be sending another 9 psi pulley to Powerdyne. Also talked to Sam at Powerdyne, he says to send the blower to him and they will see what they will do. I have had the blower for about 9 months, so it should be under warranty.

And talk about no power! Might have to get a Dyno and see what I am running without the blower.

05.24.99

Mailed the Blower off to Powerdyne.

06.07.99

Talked to Kevin at Powerdyne. He tells me now after they inspected the blower that it will not be under warranty. They want to charge me over $500 to repair it. Shit. I told them that I only had the blower for about 8 to 9 months. But their records show it was sold to RK Sport in 1997. I told them I had a receipt that I bought it in 1998 but that didn't matter. The seal was broken on the pulley and that is why they will not warranty it.

I talked to James at Vector and he told me that some of the blowers he installed, he did replaced the pulley himself. I asked him about mine. He couldn't remember. But he did say he would talked to Sam at Powerdyne and try to work it out for me. We will see want happens.

06.10.99

Kevin told me today that he will warranty the Blower if I send him the receipt. No problem. They decided to warranty it because they saw me post about the problem on the Internet, and also post my problems and status on my Web Page. So they knew I was not giving them a line of sh*t. But what would have happened if I didn't have Internet access?? Hmm........

06.25.99

Got my blower back to from Powerdyne. WOOHOO!! Its been about a month.

Of course when I removed it. I had a chance to race a SS a Cobra and an 1999 Corvette. Would have love to race all of them.

It was covered all under warranty. I was not charged for anything. It is nice to be blown again. :)

06.26.99

Took it for a test drive out to the beach with the Tops off. I had a friend with me watching the boost gauge. Got on it in 3rd gear, and I couldn't believe it. He says the gauge went over 11 PSI!!! Oh shit!! He says it probably hit 12 but couldn't see that far to the right.

I tried it in second gear and was able to hit 10 psi no problem.

Well I can see my engine lasting till next weekend. heh heh........

06.27.99

Took it for another cruise by the beach and it started making more noises. I decided to stop by a friends house and pull it off to see what the problem was. It was loud enough that I wasn't sure I could make it home.

And guess what, the bolt for the pulley backed out *again*. It seems like the lock-washer is to big for the bolt. And because I needed to get home, and since the seal was already broken, I took off the bolt to add a regular washer between and lock-washer and the bolt.

While I had the pulley off I checked the shaft. And like before, the key was worn a little. The slot where the key slides into was also worn. It actually looks like the one before. I do know that the other half was replaced, but the side that has the pulley looked the same.

I tightened everything back up and it sounds and runs normal. Going to give Powerdyne a call and see what they say. I hope they won't give me a problem, since I had to remove the bolt.

06.28.99

Talked to Powerdyne, They said no problem. Just send it back.

I decided to give it a couple of days and see how it works. So far so good.

08.01.99

The Supercharger is still working, so I probably will not be sending it back.

I tried that NOS Octane Booster in the engine. That stuff works great! I was running my Ignition Retard at about 1.5 - 2, now I can run it at about .5
It pulls very strong now. I was able to beat a 1997 Z28 on the freeway. I surprised that hell out of them.

08.25.99

Just picked up my 1999 Z28 Convertible!!!!

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