Supercharger Questions

[Catch77]

I usually scan the forums first before I do any mods or post any questions.

I've been toyin' the idea of install a Supercharger on the VX. There were a couple issues that were posted about problems with the install and problems with the supercharger itself. So here goes the questions....

How realiable are they and how much maintaining has been done to keep 'em going?

Does the price justify the power gained?

Does it make the VX sound better?

These are just a few but I'm curious for long-term use and I do tend to be on the road a lot (the I95 trek from PA to FL). So I'd hate to break down in the middle of nowhere.

Plus it'd be nice to pair it up with a sweet duel exhaust which I have yet to look into.

[tbigity]

I will be the first to admit that I am a mechanical noob...it is an engineering marvel that I was able to lift my own silverado a few years back...but when it comes to under the hood, I really am lost. Point being, I have seen a couple of "electronic superchargers" advertised here and there (as opposed to gear-driven ones). ANy comments? They seem to be < $200 which is one huge plus, but are they all smoke and mirrors? ANy long term drawbacks to the engine itself?

[Tone]

Dual exhaust is good with the SC but otherwise you will more than likely loose power. Put a better muffler on there is the most cost effective.

ALL issues have been resolved with the Alpine kits - FAQ here:
http://tonemonday.com/faqs.html
http://tonemonday.com/advantages.html

[Ldub]

IMO, the price is justified IF...

If you don't care about mileage...not that you won't still be able to get 17-23 MPG on the highway, these numbers reflect my personal experience, yours may vary.
It's very hard to keep your newly enlarged foot out of it around town...it's just too much fun.

And yes, it does sound "better"...another reason it's so hard to keep your foot out of it. That supercharger whine is like motorhead "crack".

Yes, the install had it's trials & tribulations. If you peruse all the threads pertaining to supercharger install, you should be able to pick up enough info. to make it go much smoother.(Making shims for the fuel rails comes to mind.)

I bought mine from Tone & he went out of his way to answer all my questions (& there were more than a few) promptly.

BTW, tbigity, save your money...another electric fan under your hood isn't going to make any more power, as Tone mentioned, it'll probably reduce power by restricting flow in the intake.

[Tone]

But I do have one of them electric superchargers I removed from a customer's vehicle when putting on an Alpine unite. $35 and it is yours.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I had mine (bought from Tone) installed around 36K miles and now have 56K miles with no issues. I hauled a cargo trailer last week with a 1,000 lb. Cub Cadet Tractor and 200 lb. Snowblower implement that I had sold in order to purchase new equipment and the VX definitately felt the weight as far as the braking system was concerned but yanked that trailer & load without noticable effort up hills. I didn't feel the penalty on mileage due to towing was bad either. I expected to use a half a tank of fuel and only used like a tick over quarter tank. Like Ldub...I too have seen 22mpg on interstate going to Vermont from PA and 23mpg going home. Last four fill-ups of all-around type driving yielded an average of 19 mpg.

[Catch77]

Well..I'm thinkin' going full blast with the Alpine unit. But I'm just makin' sure that I can justify 3k for it.