Normally, an engine inhales a charge of air, which is mixed with gasoline, into the combustion chamber and the mix is ignited to create power. A supercharger or turbocharger force-feeds additional air, again mixed with gasoline, into the combustion chamber to be ignited. The more air and fuel that can be crammed into a combustion chamber, the more power you get from the engine. Force- feeding an air and fuel charge into the engine makes it think-and run-like it's of substantially larger displacement. A true street supercharger or turbo system can easily up the horsepower and torque of a given engine by at least 40-50 percent. A Viper has a 488-inch engine, makes 450 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. Add 40 percent to a C5's LS1 (346 inches, 345 hp, and 350 lb-ft of torque) and the result is a very Viper-like equivalent of 484 inches, 483 hp, and 490 lb-ft of torque-from an otherwise stock engine!
Of course, some serious fiddling with the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) is mandatory, as are higher capacity (30 lb-hr) fuel injectors. What I just outlined is speculation, but it's based on real world experience, both my own and that of several companies who manufacture superchargers, supercharger systems, or both. However
I just concluded an all-too-brief test session with a '98 six-speed C5 coupe. I'd be tempted to say, "So what, another C5. Comfortable, fast enough for the average enthusiast, excellent handling and road manners." A stock C5 just isn't quite enough for the speed-crazed, used-to-be and still wannabe racer that lurks in my soul. But this stock-looking, supercharged and intercooled black '98 coupe that I played with was, at least for me, what every C5 oughta be-still civilized and comfortable, but fast! Fast enough to severely embarrass any stock or close-to-stock Viper.
What is really cool about this particular car and its blower system is that the car is, outside of the blower plus its reconfigured ECM and larger "nozzles," almost 100 percent stock. It drives like a stock C5-until the "loud pedal" is mashed-then you're thrust forward at a much higher rate than you'd imagine possible from what seems like a standard-issue C5.
I first saw this car at a Midwest Corvette show early last summer. The supercharger setup was in purely prototype form at that time, not dialed-in, and definitely not ready for testing or evaluation, but the thought of a blown C5 got my adrenaline pumping. The system was being engineered and developed by Specialty Vehicles International (SVI), and Geoff Skorupa, our "'84 & Up" tech guru had it on display (Geoff was helping on some of the details). Even in prototype form, I was impressed by how well-crafted the components appeared and by the general fit and finish. The supercharger itself was an S-trim Vortech, which made a lot of sense. After all, there's no point in trying to re-invent the wheel-or a supercharger. Vortech is one of four companies I'm aware of that produce centrifugal superchargers for the automotive performance and racing aftermarket and is justifiably respected for building a very top-quality product.
Firms like Vortech build systems for the mass market. "Niche" or relatively low production vehicles like C5s don't offer enough potential volume for Vortech to engineer systems, given their scale of operations. SVI operates on a much smaller scale and specializes in designing and fabricating systems for some of the niches that have a fair degree of potential, but not of the volume a Vortech needs. SVI and Vortech work closely together, to their mutual benefit-and to the benefit of hardcore "niche" enthusiasts like many C5 owners.