vortech help?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 29
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From: Monroeville, PA
vortech help?
Hey guys,
97 Ford F250 w/fuel injected 460 v8 w/automatic tranny here. Motor has about 80 thousand miles on it. The truck see's cold (0-30 degree temps) in winter, and 90 degree temps in the summer. It is my daily driver, see's all kinds of road conditions, and also gets me through the snow, mud, all kind of conditions. I'm considering getting a Vortech supercharger kit for it. My questions, is a supercharger a good idea for a daily driver? How does it affect the motor in the cold, and with cold starts? How about sitting in traffic in hot summers? How much would it hurt my gas mileage? Would I be better off spending the required 4,700 bucks elsewhere? I don't actually need the extra power, I would just be doing it for the fun factor. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
-Thanks
-DAn
97 Ford F250 w/fuel injected 460 v8 w/automatic tranny here. Motor has about 80 thousand miles on it. The truck see's cold (0-30 degree temps) in winter, and 90 degree temps in the summer. It is my daily driver, see's all kinds of road conditions, and also gets me through the snow, mud, all kind of conditions. I'm considering getting a Vortech supercharger kit for it. My questions, is a supercharger a good idea for a daily driver? How does it affect the motor in the cold, and with cold starts? How about sitting in traffic in hot summers? How much would it hurt my gas mileage? Would I be better off spending the required 4,700 bucks elsewhere? I don't actually need the extra power, I would just be doing it for the fun factor. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
-Thanks
-DAn
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Calhoun GA
I always favor the "fun factor". I run a (centrifigual) Vortech SQ and I love it. It spools up quick and has plenty of room to grow. However....if you don't plan on seeing any track time and plan to do some towing then a Kenne Bell/Whipple (positive displacement) would be a better way to go because of where it's power curve is at. Either way, a supercharger and a chip to tie everything together is the way to go.....just set it and forget it.
Senior User
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 254
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From: New Baden, IL. USA!
I'd go Kenne Bell for a daily driver.
Another consideration is the Kenne Bell unit retains it's value better than the other brands regardless of the configeration of the blower.
Someday you will probably sell the truck and a super does not add any value.
If installed properly, you'll see years of service from all the major brands with Vortec leading the pack of centrifugals.
Include the cost of a trip to the dyno regardless. There is no other proper way to tune the combination.
Another consideration is the Kenne Bell unit retains it's value better than the other brands regardless of the configeration of the blower.
Someday you will probably sell the truck and a super does not add any value.
If installed properly, you'll see years of service from all the major brands with Vortec leading the pack of centrifugals.
Include the cost of a trip to the dyno regardless. There is no other proper way to tune the combination.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
I ran a Vortech on my '96 F350 Dually with 460FI motor/automatic. What a hoot to drive. Man do I miss that truck. It was bone stock with just a Dynomax muffler out back. It had 4.10 gears and got 10 mpg up hill or down, no matter what.
As for as drivability, NO problems in winter or summer. I ran it for about 6 months before I traded it in for a new V10 SD.
The whine of the blower, the rumble of the exhaust. It was sweet. I ran it one night at the local race track...15.8's in the 1/4. Not bad, especially since the Lightnings were running low 15's at the time. There was one there that night and he came over to inquire WHY I was haulin-azz
.
I bought my kit at Summit and it was on special: Polished blower kit $2999.99. I was on it. It was basically a two day project to install. One to put all the brackets and such, added fuel pump, oil line for blower and ignition stuff. The following day I removed pass. valve cover and installed drain. That was the hardest part of all. I have a picture of it all put on truck. Really nice kit.
I just sold the kit last summer to a fellow. Now I wish I had kept it for my '67 352. Now that would have been
Did I mention I MISS THAT TRUCK
Larry
As for as drivability, NO problems in winter or summer. I ran it for about 6 months before I traded it in for a new V10 SD.
The whine of the blower, the rumble of the exhaust. It was sweet. I ran it one night at the local race track...15.8's in the 1/4. Not bad, especially since the Lightnings were running low 15's at the time. There was one there that night and he came over to inquire WHY I was haulin-azz
.I bought my kit at Summit and it was on special: Polished blower kit $2999.99. I was on it. It was basically a two day project to install. One to put all the brackets and such, added fuel pump, oil line for blower and ignition stuff. The following day I removed pass. valve cover and installed drain. That was the hardest part of all. I have a picture of it all put on truck. Really nice kit.
I just sold the kit last summer to a fellow. Now I wish I had kept it for my '67 352. Now that would have been
Did I mention I MISS THAT TRUCK
Larry
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 29
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From: Monroeville, PA
Hey guys,
Thanks for the help. I'm still undecided. I can't help but think of the other thigns I could do for that kind of money (roll bar w/kc lights, alternator, chip, lift, bigger tires). I'll continue to think about it, but its good to know the pro's and con's of doing it.
thanks
-Dan
Thanks for the help. I'm still undecided. I can't help but think of the other thigns I could do for that kind of money (roll bar w/kc lights, alternator, chip, lift, bigger tires). I'll continue to think about it, but its good to know the pro's and con's of doing it.
thanks
-Dan
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Scottsdale Az is home, St
I agree with Blurry on the supercharger, but I like the Whipple over the KB. Ive read a lot of problems with the supplied chip and BAP (boost-a-pump). I dunno, its all about opinion. Good luck and keep us posted!
Garrett
Garrett
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