The textbook term for any fluid swirling rapidly around a center is avortex. In an automotive sense, the name for a Z06 Corvette spinning acentrifugal blower is Vortech. But before we get into the details ofthis performance pump, you probably just want to know what it's like tostomp on the fun pedal, right?
So we'll put aside for now all that yadda-yadda about vorticity, plenumdesign, manifold pressure, and computer mapping and focus instead on onesimple aspect: How does it feel at full throttle? When you goose the gason a supercharged Z06, does it take off howling like a scalded dog,frying the hides like a house afire? Or is it more like the smooth surgean F-22 Raptor on takeoff?
Called the V-2 SQ T-trim centrifugal supercharger, this "super quiet"system delivers six pounds of boost to the Z06's LS7 V-8.
That all depends on how loose the nut behind the wheel is. With aVortech centrifugal supercharger, you can hit it like a jackhammer orspool it up like a turbine. If you spike the revs and dump the clutch,the tires will spin furiously, full of sound and released energy.Problem is, when you don't hook them up, your acceleration times willonly be a tick or two quicker than those of a stock Z06.
On the other hand, if you feather the throttle, rolling on the power ina judicious manner, the experience is mind-bending-almost literally.We'll take an anatomical approach to describing the sensation, since theZ06 shown here is owned by Dr. Jim Spencer, a dentist in Concord, NorthCarolina. Spencer graciously provided his ride on an extended loan forVortech's R&D phase. Thanks, Doc!
A spacer on the bottom mount lowers the radiator to provide extraclearance for the supercharger's air intake.
Start by visualizing the fluids in your head and neck, flowing smoothlyup and down, feeding your brain and maintaining your equilibrium. Mashyour right foot down-no, not too hard-and as the nose of the car slingsforward, those fluids drain from your face, forced toward the nape ofyour neck and away from their natural destination. As your blood-brainbarrier compresses aft, the horizon rushes up at you like a zoom lensgoing from macro to micro settings.
With a takeoff like this, who needs laughing gas? The delirious level ofacceleration is more than any human has a right to experience, and it isutterly addictive. It's the sort of performance that can ruin you forlife. Control the wheelspin, and you can expect a 0-to-60 mph times inthe mid-to-high 3s. Nothing else quite satisfies after having this muchpower on tap. And you suddenly realize that you have a new best friend.
Here's the business end of the compressor, good for as much as 26 psiand 825 horses.
That's not just because a supercharged Z06 is so hellacious to drive.There are some other reasons to love this setup, even if they mightsound a bit dry-literally. Gone is the cumbersome air-to-waterintercooler, replaced by a new, easier-to-install, air-to-air unit.
As you'll see in the accompanying photos, bolting on the blower is afairly straightforward proposition (just allow a couple days for thewhole job). Once in place, the sound of the centrifugal system isremarkably subdued-no raucous Roots noise, no shrill whine of gears. Atidle, the car is surprisingly stealthy, giving no clue as to what lurksunder the hood. Called the V-2 SQ (for "Super Quiet") T-trim centrifugalsupercharger, the unit delivers more than six pounds of boost to the LS7V-8.
Vortech's pulley wheels are made of 6061 T-6 anodized aluminum. A changein pulley size typically affects boost by one to two psi, but note thiscan potentially void the Vortech warranty.
As for the bottom line, the Vortech kit goes for $6,695 with a satinfinish, or $6,995 polished. It includes everything needed forinstallation: a T-trim supercharger, an air-to-air aluminum intercooler,a compressor-bypass valve, aluminum mounting brackets and hardware, ahigh-flow fuel pump, oversize fuel injectors, and even a speciallyprogrammed DiabloSport handheld programmer to re-flash the factorycomputer with the proper spark/fuel calibrations.
All Vortech compressors combine a sophisticated impeller design with avaneless diffuser and progressive scroll or volute exit stage. We don'tknow exactly what that means, but big power is the result.
The result is an LS7 engine that cranks out a dyno-proven 635 horseswhile sipping 91-octane pump fuel. In addition, the 50-state smog-legalkit (CARB D-213-25) is optionally available with athree-year/36,000-mile powertrain warranty through Vortech's network ofinstallers and new-car dealers.
One question remains: Does a Z06 even need a blower? Well, racer DanicaPatrick complained in an Internet video about the lack of low-end grunton a stock LS7 V-8. This Vortech kit oughta shut her up-fast.
Sources
Vortech Engineering
1650 Pacific Ave
Dept. VM
Oxnard, CA 93033
(805) 247-0226
www.vortechsuperchargers.com