looking for feedback on superchargers
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 611
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From: SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA
Hi,
My brother has one on a 997 4s and he loves it. It
is a TPC superccharger and he had #R automotive install it.
Very expensive. It also took a few months to install
due to the new brackets that had to be fabricated. There
also were some electrical issues. I still need to go for
a ride in his car.
Paul
My brother has one on a 997 4s and he loves it. It
is a TPC superccharger and he had #R automotive install it.
Very expensive. It also took a few months to install
due to the new brackets that had to be fabricated. There
also were some electrical issues. I still need to go for
a ride in his car.
Paul
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From: Connecticut
I remember many posts like this in M3 world. Most are concerned about potential impact on the engine - blow it and be faced with an expensive replacement. Something like RUF (Dinan for BMW) is looked upon with a little more comfort because of the warranty.
Then there's the school of thought that these cars are great as they are - naturally aspirated. If you want boost, then a turbo is perhaps more practical and covered by oem warranty. As far as optimizing the engine - there's always the upgraded intake, software, headers, cats, and exhaust that will let your car breath easier and boost the power / torque to boot (poor man's X51). None of these bolt ons impact warranty in my opinion because you aren't touching the internals. Good old Moss-Ferguson.
Then there's the school of thought that these cars are great as they are - naturally aspirated. If you want boost, then a turbo is perhaps more practical and covered by oem warranty. As far as optimizing the engine - there's always the upgraded intake, software, headers, cats, and exhaust that will let your car breath easier and boost the power / torque to boot (poor man's X51). None of these bolt ons impact warranty in my opinion because you aren't touching the internals. Good old Moss-Ferguson.
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Race Car
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by RonCT
I remember many posts like this in M3 world. Most are concerned about potential impact on the engine - blow it and be faced with an expensive replacement. Something like RUF (Dinan for BMW) is looked upon with a little more comfort because of the warranty.
Then there's the school of thought that these cars are great as they are - naturally aspirated. If you want boost, then a turbo is perhaps more practical and covered by oem warranty. As far as optimizing the engine - there's always the upgraded intake, software, headers, cats, and exhaust that will let your car breath easier and boost the power / torque to boot (poor man's X51). None of these bolt ons impact warranty in my opinion because you aren't touching the internals. Good old Moss-Ferguson.
Then there's the school of thought that these cars are great as they are - naturally aspirated. If you want boost, then a turbo is perhaps more practical and covered by oem warranty. As far as optimizing the engine - there's always the upgraded intake, software, headers, cats, and exhaust that will let your car breath easier and boost the power / torque to boot (poor man's X51). None of these bolt ons impact warranty in my opinion because you aren't touching the internals. Good old Moss-Ferguson.
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From: Connecticut
I don't think you are suggesting that Porsche has failed to engineer the rest of the car in say the X51. They increased the efficiency of the 3.8l engine in the X51 by opening up the intake and headers and providing new software to optimize the new combination to add 26 HP (among other adjustments). But they didn't change the brakes and suspension. To support your position - 26 HP is hardly a significant boost, so the Porsche engineers must have assumed the existing brakes and suspension were adequate.
I think what you are pointing at is adding 100+ HP via a supercharger and how that might impact the balance of the car. Then again, from what I've read RUF will happily add only their supercharger. Surely, they would love to tweak wheels and suspension (lower), but I haven't read that they touch the brakes in their supercharged cars. I honestly don't have an opinion on whether or not companies like RUF should or should not mandate brake and suspension adjustments for any car they modify for significant gains. I am thinking, however, that some adjustment to the intake / exhaust efficiency sounds reasonable to me without changing what are already excellent braking and suspension systems.
To me tampering with the balance does not include things like X51 type increases of efficiency (intake, headers, exhaust, software).
I think what you are pointing at is adding 100+ HP via a supercharger and how that might impact the balance of the car. Then again, from what I've read RUF will happily add only their supercharger. Surely, they would love to tweak wheels and suspension (lower), but I haven't read that they touch the brakes in their supercharged cars. I honestly don't have an opinion on whether or not companies like RUF should or should not mandate brake and suspension adjustments for any car they modify for significant gains. I am thinking, however, that some adjustment to the intake / exhaust efficiency sounds reasonable to me without changing what are already excellent braking and suspension systems.
To me tampering with the balance does not include things like X51 type increases of efficiency (intake, headers, exhaust, software).
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,159
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From: Chicagoland
Just what in the world do brakes have to do with horsepower? 
It takes the same amount of braking ability to stop a car going 150 mph regardless of whether it took the car 10 minutes to get to that speed or 10 seconds.
It takes the same amount of braking ability to stop a car going 150 mph regardless of whether it took the car 10 minutes to get to that speed or 10 seconds.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Alpharetta, GA
I think the argument is that HP and speed are relative, and therefore speed and braking/handling are relative. On the street, if you have an additional 150 HP (as an example), the supposition is that you're like to spend more time at higher speeds. And example would be an empty road you used to drive at 60 mph, whereas now you can easily hit 90+ in areas. If the braking is the same, you may be unprepared for the change in speed. At the track, you are likely to lap the track at higher speeds, and therefore the other components may become inadequate.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 479
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From: Las Vegas
[QUOTE=gravedgr]On the street, if you have an additional 150 HP (as an example), the supposition is that you're like to spend more time at higher speeds. QUOTE]
I am considering a supercharger as a cheaper alternative to the turbo...and I only want to get to the next stoplight faster...
I am considering a supercharger as a cheaper alternative to the turbo...and I only want to get to the next stoplight faster...
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From: Long Island
Originally Posted by 1999Porsche911
Just what in the world do brakes have to do with horsepower? It takes the same amount of braking ability to stop a car going 150 mph regardless of whether it took the car 10 minutes to get to that speed or 10 seconds.
It takes the same amount of braking ability to stop a car going 150 mph regardless of whether it took the car 10 minutes to get to that speed or 10 seconds.
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From: 01776
There are a number of folks over on 6speedonline with superchargers including one post of someone who had it removed IIRC.
I think the Ruf kit is probably the best way to go because of the warranty thing. Still, you're talking about adding about 20,000 USD in mods to the car and for that money you could come close to buying a turbo and not have the worries associated with heavy mods.
Check out 6Speed though - I know there are a few blown cars there.
I think the Ruf kit is probably the best way to go because of the warranty thing. Still, you're talking about adding about 20,000 USD in mods to the car and for that money you could come close to buying a turbo and not have the worries associated with heavy mods.
Check out 6Speed though - I know there are a few blown cars there.