Why is Supercharging so popular?

Andy_L

For the Z22se???

I'm not saying it isn't the right way to go just more curious than anything.

TheHood

In no particular order: -

Probably due to the fact there's a S/C version of the engine in the family making most of the parts required for the conversion available off the shelf.

S/C in general is often preferred over Turbo because of the more linear power delivery.

It's difficult / expensive to get more N/A power making S/C instant BHP / torque gains attractive.

Maybe people with M62's like their cars to sound like demented domestic appliances? (Not a fan of the noise - can you tell? 😃 )

Andy_L

Sorry, I appreciate that N/A power is the most expensive route to go down (but probably the most satisying showo.. )

It was more the supercharing over turbo charging, as turbo charging is generally more popular than super charging.

But as you say there is stuff in the family so it does make it more attractive....

rik1083

there's a turbo in the engine family too (from saab engines)
but that would require a totally different exhaust arrangement which is why it's unpopular and very hard to fit in a vx220 which is the car the "kit" from courtenay sport was originally developed for

techieboy

A lot of us who are supercharged or shortly will be are running VX220's and the power delivery suits the car perfectly (especially for those of us who track them with any regularity). They're lightweight mid-engine rear wheel drive cars and the balance and predictability of the superchargers power delivery is absolutely perfect on the road or track. I personally prefer the linear power delivery of the roots chargers over the more peaky centrifugal chargers as well and am not overly bothered by the noise - most of the time I really like it and it only makes it on WOT anyway. None of this having to try and balance the throttle and avoid a huge injection of torque mid-corner as the turbo suddenly starts boosting, as you know with absolute certainty how it's going to respond. It's a simple (and can also be quite cheap using 2nd hand parts) way to gain an instant 100+ bhp and avoids the engineering exercise that trying to fit a turbo becomes.

Ultimately a turbo conversion is likely to deliver more power but the simplicity of the SC conversion using off the shelf GM parts and the driveability made it a no-brainer for me. YMMV.

vocky

sc is popular because it's an easy conversion and quite reasonable to buy secondhand

FLD

As Vocky says! The bits are available and its just a bolt on job. Its almost rude not to!

mikeymac186

just outta interest, what is the cheapest any1 on here has s/charged the z22se for, do i hear under 2000, could be a tasty mod if so :thumbup: :thumbup:

UKRAMAIR

Don't know the cheapest way but I herd Courttney do a stage 1 (210hp) for £3500, or a stage 2 (260hp) is like £6500

I guess £2k 2nd hand DIY might be about right....

exmantaa

A DIY Stage 1 should be possible for far less than that. 😃
But you have to strike a good deal on the US forums or Ebay, and sort out a cheap transport.

UKRAMAIR

In my experience, cheap postage from the USA is impossible.
Add the price of postage to the cost of your SC. X 10% Import duty. Then x 17.5% VAT. + £7.00 handling fee. Suddenly a £2000 purchase cost £2600 delivered to your door :crazy: :evil: