Help Needed: Supercharger vs Turbo

aj0294 · 10-10-2022, 03:29 PM

Hey guys, I'm considering boosting my lt1 ss (manual) and in the midst of my research I've fallen down the rabbit hole. I'm leaning toward going the supercharger route but I don't know everything there is to know about cars or even where to begin on this project; I have relatively basic knowledge. Does anyone have any advice that's taken on such a project before? Any recommendations on brands, etc?

BUFW · 10-10-2022, 06:46 PM

Yeah, call your local speed shop.

KingLT1 · 10-10-2022, 06:59 PM

A lot of good reading material in the Forced Induction section on this.

To give you a very basic answer you will want this:

-Supercharger of choice. I would go Positive Displacement. Maggie,Whipple, or even a ZL1 take off.

-Fuel system needs upgraded. LT4 fueling minimum.

-Flex fuel sensor with the intentions of running a blend of ethanol fuel

-Catch can with breather

-LS3 crank seal

-Cutom Tuned from somebody that knows what they are doing with Gen 5 LT engines.

If you are hell bent on staying with pump gas, then plan on lower compression drop in pistons.

ST1LE · 10-10-2022, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingLT1

A lot of good reading material in the Forced Induction section on this.

To give you a very basic answer you will want this:

-Supercharger of choice. I would go Positive Displacement. Maggie,Whipple, or even a ZL1 take off.

-Fuel system needs upgraded. LT4 fueling minimum.

-Flex fuel sensor with the intentions of running a blend of ethanol fuel

-Catch can with breather

-LS3 crank seal

-Cutom Tuned from somebody that knows what they are doing with Gen 5 LT engines.

If you are hell bent on staying with pump gas, then plan on lower compression drop in pistons.

Do you know if the LT4 already has such pistons?

Joshinator99 · 10-10-2022, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ST1LE

Do you know if the LT4 already has such pistons?

The OEM LT4 shortblock has lower compression from the factory. Believe it’s 10.0:1 compression whereas the LT1 is 11.5.

Zr8000 · 10-10-2022, 07:27 PM

You would be better off selling your car and getting a zl1

Drizzt ss · 10-10-2022, 08:05 PM

I’m kinda in the same boat. I was thinking the same way but maybe NA might be the way to go. Or like ZR8000 said, buying a lightly used ZL1 in a year or so. Right now I’m sure the prices are ridiculous.

KingLT1 · 10-11-2022, 08:23 AM

Depends on how you look at it. My car traps 136-137 in the 1/4mi full weight on factory 20" wheels. I am into it for about 25k less than what it would take to buy a low mileage ZL1 and get it to where my SS runs. Granted it's still no ZL1 and I do like the ZL1 better. I am just saying you can reliably supercharge the SS and make it quick if you do it right.

ST1LE · 10-11-2022, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

The OEM LT4 shortblock has lower compression from the factory. Believe it’s 10.0:1 compression whereas the LT1 is 11.5.

That's what I expected. Thanks!

ckt227 · 10-12-2022, 01:34 PM

I have no expertise in this field, but I love the way the supercharger whines as you get on it. So I vote for the supercharger. And I wouldn't even think of installing myself. As others suggested, find a good speed shop (unless you are completely sure about DIY) and have it done right with some sort of warranty.

USAFS197 · 10-12-2022, 01:44 PM

I personally don't like turbo cars with a manual transmission. While it's fun at times, I never really consider it to be a competitive vehicle. Now with a twin screw, it can be fun and still fairly competitive. To me, turbo's and autos (DCT's) are like peanut butter and jelly. They go together perfectly and that's the direction I'd go if I had a N/A car and wanted to boost it. For yours, having owned all kinds of different cars with different setups, I'd go twin screw for fun, centrifugal for a long winded power band.

FlukeSS · 10-12-2022, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj0294

Hey guys, I'm considering boosting my lt1 ss (manual) and in the midst of my research I've fallen down the rabbit hole. I'm leaning toward going the supercharger route but I don't know everything there is to know about cars or even where to begin on this project; I have relatively basic knowledge. Does anyone have any advice that's taken on such a project before? Any recommendations on brands, etc?

Why not both?

Supercharged Turbocharger!

easttxss · 10-12-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAFS197

I personally don't like turbo cars with a manual transmission. While it's fun at times, I never really consider it to be a competitive vehicle. Now with a twin screw, it can be fun and still fairly competitive. To me, turbo's and autos (DCT's) are like peanut butter and jelly. They go together perfectly and that's the direction I'd go if I had a N/A car and wanted to boost it. For yours, having owned all kinds of different cars with different setups, I'd go twin screw for fun, centrifugal for a long winded power band.

It may be splitting hairs, but since the OP isn't familiar with this stuff, I must point out that the only 'twin screw' supercharger out there is the Whipple. The other Positive Displacement supercharges are Roots style.

Also, with the No Lift Shift feature you can still keep the turbos spooled up while going hard through the gears in a manual.

Chevelle vs Camaro · 10-14-2022, 05:13 AM

This was on car when I bought it. Had it for 2 years. Car runs great and 605 at the wheels is nice. Plus I love how it sounds like it is sucking all air in the immediate vicinity when you WOT.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-10-2022, 03:29 PM	#1
aj0294 Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 13	Help Needed: Supercharger vs Turbo Hey guys, I'm considering boosting my lt1 ss (manual) and in the midst of my research I've fallen down the rabbit hole. I'm leaning toward going the supercharger route but I don't know everything there is to know about cars or even where to begin on this project; I have relatively basic knowledge. Does anyone have any advice that's taken on such a project before? Any recommendations on brands, etc?

10-10-2022, 06:59 PM	#3
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,806	A lot of good reading material in the Forced Induction section on this. To give you a very basic answer you will want this: -Supercharger of choice. I would go Positive Displacement. Maggie,Whipple, or even a ZL1 take off. -Fuel system needs upgraded. LT4 fueling minimum. -Flex fuel sensor with the intentions of running a blend of ethanol fuel -Catch can with breather -LS3 crank seal -Cutom Tuned from somebody that knows what they are doing with Gen 5 LT engines. If you are hell bent on staying with pump gas, then plan on lower compression drop in pistons. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

10-10-2022, 08:05 PM	#7
Drizzt ss Drives: 2017 NGM 1SS MRC NPP Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Long Island Posts: 234	I’m kinda in the same boat. I was thinking the same way but maybe NA might be the way to go. Or like ZR8000 said, buying a lightly used ZL1 in a year or so. Right now I’m sure the prices are ridiculous. __________________ Mamo PTB /Borla ATAK NPP /Carbon Fiber lip/ZL1 side skirts/ Black Bow ties/Husky Mats/ Mishimoto CC /BMR strut tower brace/ZL-1 License relocation/Rock guards

10-11-2022, 08:23 AM	#8
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,806	Depends on how you look at it. My car traps 136-137 in the 1/4mi full weight on factory 20" wheels. I am into it for about 25k less than what it would take to buy a low mileage ZL1 and get it to where my SS runs. Granted it's still no ZL1 and I do like the ZL1 better. I am just saying you can reliably supercharge the SS and make it quick if you do it right. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

10-12-2022, 01:44 PM	#11
USAFS197 Drives: 2018 Audi TT RS Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 1,915	I personally don't like turbo cars with a manual transmission. While it's fun at times, I never really consider it to be a competitive vehicle. Now with a twin screw, it can be fun and still fairly competitive. To me, turbo's and autos (DCT's) are like peanut butter and jelly. They go together perfectly and that's the direction I'd go if I had a N/A car and wanted to boost it. For yours, having owned all kinds of different cars with different setups, I'd go twin screw for fun, centrifugal for a long winded power band. __________________ 2018 Audi TT ▊RS 2.4X 0-60, 1.6X 60', 120+mph 1/8th, 4.XX 60-130, 150+mph traps on 255/35/18 R888R tires on the street (unprepped). 2019 Audi RS3 About as fast as the TT RS 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sold 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Sold 2019 Corvette Z06 Sold 2021 Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody Sold

10-10-2022, 06:46 PM	#2
BUFW Drives: Your Mom Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 109	Yeah, call your local speed shop.

10-10-2022, 07:27 PM	#6
Zr8000 Drives: Chevy Camaro Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Wi Posts: 384	You would be better off selling your car and getting a zl1

10-12-2022, 01:34 PM	#10
ckt227 Drives: CHEVROLET CORVETTE Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: SWFL Posts: 513	I have no expertise in this field, but I love the way the supercharger whines as you get on it. So I vote for the supercharger. And I wouldn't even think of installing myself. As others suggested, find a good speed shop (unless you are completely sure about DIY) and have it done right with some sort of warranty.

10-14-2022, 05:13 AM	#14
Chevelle vs Camaro Drives: 2018 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Washington Posts: 577	This was on car when I bought it. Had it for 2 years. Car runs great and 605 at the wheels is nice. Plus I love how it sounds like it is sucking all air in the immediate vicinity when you WOT. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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