I know that the topic of Superchargers and Turbos has been beatin quite abit, but I was hoping you all could help me out with a few questions. I recently got a 2005 5AT and was hoping to give it alittle more kick. I'm really interested in the vortech supercharger, but not comletely sure what else I would need to upgrade. I have notice people having issues with their tranny holdin up and I was hoping to get some feedback from people who have this SC, for how long, what other mods they did to compensate the power and what problems they've encountered and any fixes. I'm still pretty new to the tuner scene so any help at all would be great. Also, I live in Northern Virginia so if you have any good suggestions as far as garages to check out it would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

I believe the 'complete' vortech kit comes with everything you'll need out of the box (someone correct me if im wrong). As far as issues with the Vortech I recall a belt slippage issue which I know Randy and some other's have encountered but there is a belt swap fix for this. Since ur in NoVA, the shops I am familiar with are Altered Atmosphere in Gaithersburg, and Evolution in Chantilly (but they are always overpriced and snobby to deal with). Im sure the FI experts will chime in and give you some more feedback.

 

Thanks. I've read about the belts, so at the moment I'm more concerned about what I should do about the Transmission if anything. Yeah, I know what you mean about evolution; I've talked to them a few times about it.

 

As far as the transmission Ive heard a Stillen Valve body upgrade and torque converter are things that some have swapped/upgraded on the 5ATs.

 

I've considered those. Any idea how much doing that would extend the life of the transmission.

 

Do you recommend any garages around that would be good for the Valve body mod or the torque converter?

 

Its tough to say how much longer if at all b/c that can all depend on how bad you 'rag' the car, however I know as far as beefing up the tranny these are the 2 pieces most often swapped out by 5AT owner's who go FI. In addition I believe on some of the TT kits the vendor such as APS recommends but does not require upgrading the TC or VB on the AT tranny. There was a member (PumpedVA) on my350z NOT w/ the vortech but w/ FI (i think the HKS SC) who thought he tore up his tranny and purchased the Level 10 VB upgrade. He had it installed at AAM in one day and they have done many TC and VB swaps so Id prob. recommend them. initially it was just his tranny overheating from too much low end torque as well but i think eventually it may have died. so i guess id also recommend a tranny cooler!

here's the thread i dug up on his 'messed up' tranny and what he did to get it fixed...

http://www.my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114330

 

BTW the thread above this one is a good one as well...'supercharged 5ats'

 

Thanks, I appreciate the help. I noticed that you're on that national G club and I just signed up on the site. I was wonderin if you could tell me a bit about it.

 

hey nyghtfox,

just come into the nationalgclub forums on this site towards the bottom. are you going to come out to HIN?? I believe its the 26th of June at the Chantilly expo center so just a hop/skip/jump from you on rte 7 and 28. we have a pretty tightly knit group thus far, all really nice guys. look forward to seeing you at some meets/events.

 

26th of June sounds cool. I might have to check that out. Just out of curiousity, are you or the other guys good with performance mods? I'm alittle new to this stuff and just want to talk to some guys that really know what's going on and not be bothered by my dumb*** questions.

 

Well IMO I would say I am more performance minded and read up alot on performance parts and what not for our cars. Every mod I have thus far I have installed myself and will continue to do so. I have alot of experience with auto maintenance and tools and consider myself pretty mechanically inclined. Other than myself another member 'wnt1bd' or Devon is also really good w/ mods and the like. There is also a guy 'Jimmy' who has a vortech that he installed himself on the G who is in the club who is really knowledgeable as well. Just shoot me or any of us your questions and if we cannot answer them we know the people who can. That being said if you REALLY want some knowledge on our engine/tranny I'd visit my350z.com and the guys in the mid atlantic region. The Z guys in our region are VERRY knowledgeable when it comes to performance and modding.

 

cool, appreciate the help. i'll be sure to check out that site. if it's cool with you maybe we could meet up some time. i'm all about trying to learn more about the car and mechanics. does the guy with the vortech have the 5AT or 6MT?