Why so much love for PD blowers?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

shaner74 · 08-06-2010, 07:19 PM

It seems like a majority of FI cars on this forum are using PD blowers. I'm surprised I don't see more guys going turbo. I don't want to start a huge firefight, but with all things being equal, turbos usually make more power and are easier on the motor, and I don't think turbo lag is even an issue these days. I plan on going FI myself in a few months, so I've been weighing my options. Really, the only reason I had been considering a blower over turbos was ease of installation and the cost is a little less. At this point I'm about 90% sure I'll be going turbo though. Heat is an issue but it's a manageable one - materials used, turbo placement, etc... So what gives? Why so many blowers?

Sack Rat 2SS · 08-06-2010, 08:12 PM

I too am a big turbo fan, specifically twin turbo. Turbos came later to the Camaro than did PD's. Your point about ease of installation and cost is correct. Top mount or bottom mount is the next question? And, the installation you aluded to is so much more involved with the turbo over super. With dual oil in and out and dual cooling water in and out and single or dual intercoolers in and out and to use air to air or air to liquid intercooling plus the liquid pumping etc. Then you have dual wastegates or BOV's. If bottom mount turbos you have to get cooling oil up above the pan etc. IT CAN BE MORE COMPLICATED. I bring this up for those reading this thread and not familiar with turbo installations. However, once completed and sorted out it is the best, sweetest ride you can imagine. My 2 cents.

600hp-lpe · 08-06-2010, 08:46 PM

PD blower is almost maintenance free... let's see you get 100K miles out of a twin turbo setup without having to do anything.

old motorhead · 08-06-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 570hp-lpe

PD blower is almost maintenance free... let's see you get 100K miles out of a twin turbo setup without having to do anything.

If you want to install, slam the hood, and enjoy....Maggie. If you don't mind tinkering around a bit, and being a little different is important to you, anything else will do.

lock · 08-06-2010, 09:15 PM

went turbo on my IROC. Love it but I was looking for an OEM quality boost on my 5th gen and the E-Force was it for me. Cant go wrong with either but for this car I wanted to install and just roll. Im always tinkering with the IROC because its more custom than OEM.

shaner74 · 08-06-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 570hp-lpe

PD blower is almost maintenance free... let's see you get 100K miles out of a twin turbo setup without having to do anything.

Vehicles come equipped with TT's from the factory. 3000gt's for example. Pretty much all diesels use turbos. I can't see how a SC can be that more superior to turbos as far as longevity is concerned.

shaner74 · 08-06-2010, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lock

went turbo on my IROC. Love it but I was looking for an OEM quality boost on my 5th gen and the E-Force was it for me. Cant go wrong with either but for this car I wanted to install and just roll. Im always tinkering with the IROC because its more custom than OEM.

I hear you. Being able to install fast then go fast is a definite plus for the SC's.

2KWIK4U · 08-06-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaner74

Vehicles come equipped with TT's from the factory. 3000gt's for example. Pretty much all diesels use turbos. I can't see how a SC can be that more superior to turbos as far as longevity is concerned.

You are correct, I am a diesel mechanic and have been for over 20 years. Turbos last a long time with regular oil changes, which also helps engine life. I have seen diesels with over 250,000 miles and only regular maintenance. As was stated they are more complicated in the install and generally are more efficient because of no parasitic loss.

With that said, it is hard to beat the wow factor of a nice supercharger sitting on top of the engine and a much easier install.

Danny

axis · 08-06-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaner74

Vehicles come equipped with TT's from the factory. 3000gt's for example. Pretty much all diesels use turbos. I can't see how a SC can be that more superior to turbos as far as longevity is concerned.

There's a HUGE difference between a factory turbo car and a converted nonturbo car. CR, beefy driveline, and tuning are the major ones. Look at all the guys that run 300GT's, Eclipse's, Subbies, and Neons. They all run well UNTIL you up the boost. Once you start modding them, they tend to not be so reliable. Cruise over to the nearest drag strip and see that the owners are constantly working on them. Not many people are going to buy a $38k car, spend another $10k on a TT system and not abuse it some. You can run any of the FI options and last a LONG time but as soon as you start abusing it, it gets expensive. I'm a turbo guy too but those are the facts. The same can be said about the SC guys but it's a little harder for them to increase the boost. With a turbo, just hit a button or turn a screw and you're boosting the shit out of it.

Prochargedchevyi · 08-06-2010, 11:36 PM

Two different methods to obtain the same objective. It's really a matter of preference. Both types can (and have) been used reliably for over 100k miles if engineered, installed, and maintained correctly. I initially started out with superchargers only because of the availability and price of buying a turbo kit - this was 15 years ago. Now that turbo impeller and housing technology has increased so much, lag is not even an issue if matched correctly. Furthermore, the price for a turbo kit is less than a supercharger kit, considering you have to purchase aftermarket headers to allow the kit to perform optimally.

Like I said, it's all a matter of preference. It's like Coke or Pepsi. But personally, I'm all turbo.

JUISSD · 08-07-2010, 02:38 AM

Nothing beats a turbo for power. PD blowers are just easier to install and easier to tune. Turbo kits and tuning them can be a hassle. I had an 88mm turbo on my Lightning and made 993rwhp/1012rwtq out of a measly 330cid engine with stock ported heads. Turbo is where it's at if you want big power.

HaddadMotorsports · 08-07-2010, 02:54 PM

I think its been said already but here it goes again.

Reliabilty, Reliabilty, Reliability.

If you feel that you need to set world records, then i absolutely encourage the use of turbos. When turbos are setup right and you arn't working on the car, they simply can't be beat anywhere.

I will also say this, we are more than capable of putting every stock component of your car on its limits with a PD blower, and they are much more efficient these days than they have been in the past.

Thanks
Mike Haddad

Slowhawk · 08-07-2010, 08:29 PM

Belt driven blowers are more idiot proof.Meaning less can go wrong ect.

For power,the turbo wins BUT you really need to maintain them and check little things often.Then it can easilly overboost on ya.

I ran a Turbo on my truck for 40k miles(100k now on the stock motor).Stock motor with a small cam.Made 520hp/500tq out of the little 5.3L,was the wifes daily driver and towed my race car around.Had no problems at all/ever. So I'll say turbo's can be very reliable IF installed properly but most people would be better off with a belt drive setup.

Jchaluja · 08-07-2010, 08:40 PM

I have had a TT setup for a year now, I really enjoy it and no problems so far...I've put 13k miles on it and drive it daily.....I sure hope it is as reliable (based on everyone's opinions on blowers)....I have my turbos setup to 8 psi boost and I don't use a boost controller by design so I'm not tempted to mess with my good combo....

08-06-2010, 07:19 PM	#1
shaner74 Drives: 2010 camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CT Posts: 58	Why so much love for PD blowers?? It seems like a majority of FI cars on this forum are using PD blowers. I'm surprised I don't see more guys going turbo. I don't want to start a huge firefight, but with all things being equal, turbos usually make more power and are easier on the motor, and I don't think turbo lag is even an issue these days. I plan on going FI myself in a few months, so I've been weighing my options. Really, the only reason I had been considering a blower over turbos was ease of installation and the cost is a little less. At this point I'm about 90% sure I'll be going turbo though. Heat is an issue but it's a manageable one - materials used, turbo placement, etc... So what gives? Why so many blowers?

08-06-2010, 08:12 PM	#2
Sack Rat 2SS Drives: Silver SS/RS, Man 6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW area, Texas Posts: 884	I too am a big turbo fan, specifically twin turbo. Turbos came later to the Camaro than did PD's. Your point about ease of installation and cost is correct. Top mount or bottom mount is the next question? And, the installation you aluded to is so much more involved with the turbo over super. With dual oil in and out and dual cooling water in and out and single or dual intercoolers in and out and to use air to air or air to liquid intercooling plus the liquid pumping etc. Then you have dual wastegates or BOV's. If bottom mount turbos you have to get cooling oil up above the pan etc. IT CAN BE MORE COMPLICATED. I bring this up for those reading this thread and not familiar with turbo installations. However, once completed and sorted out it is the best, sweetest ride you can imagine. My 2 cents. __________________ Silver 2SS/RS Man/6 CTS-V front 6-Piston Calipers, GM 3.91 Rear Gears Last edited by Sack Rat 2SS; 08-06-2010 at 08:25 PM.

08-06-2010, 09:15 PM	#5
lock Drives: 11 2SS/RS E-Force Supercharged Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte Posts: 814 View My Garage	went turbo on my IROC. Love it but I was looking for an OEM quality boost on my 5th gen and the E-Force was it for me. Cant go wrong with either but for this car I wanted to install and just roll. Im always tinkering with the IROC because its more custom than OEM. __________________ 11 IOM 2SS/RS E-Force Supercharged. 616 RWHP/578 RWTQ. Click link for my journal!!!

08-07-2010, 02:38 AM	#11
JUISSD Drives: 2010 White/IOM 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,228	Nothing beats a turbo for power. PD blowers are just easier to install and easier to tune. Turbo kits and tuning them can be a hassle. I had an 88mm turbo on my Lightning and made 993rwhp/1012rwtq out of a measly 330cid engine with stock ported heads. Turbo is where it's at if you want big power. __________________ 2010 White/IOM Camaro 2SS/RS M6

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08-06-2010, 08:46 PM	#3
600hp-lpe Drives: 2010 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NH Posts: 4,788	PD blower is almost maintenance free... let's see you get 100K miles out of a twin turbo setup without having to do anything.

08-06-2010, 11:36 PM	#10
Prochargedchevyi Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Castle Rock, Colorado Posts: 153	Two different methods to obtain the same objective. It's really a matter of preference. Both types can (and have) been used reliably for over 100k miles if engineered, installed, and maintained correctly. I initially started out with superchargers only because of the availability and price of buying a turbo kit - this was 15 years ago. Now that turbo impeller and housing technology has increased so much, lag is not even an issue if matched correctly. Furthermore, the price for a turbo kit is less than a supercharger kit, considering you have to purchase aftermarket headers to allow the kit to perform optimally. Like I said, it's all a matter of preference. It's like Coke or Pepsi. But personally, I'm all turbo.

08-07-2010, 02:54 PM	#12
HaddadMotorsports Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Inglewood Posts: 532	I think its been said already but here it goes again. Reliabilty, Reliabilty, Reliability. If you feel that you need to set world records, then i absolutely encourage the use of turbos. When turbos are setup right and you arn't working on the car, they simply can't be beat anywhere. I will also say this, we are more than capable of putting every stock component of your car on its limits with a PD blower, and they are much more efficient these days than they have been in the past. Thanks Mike Haddad

08-07-2010, 08:29 PM	#13
Slowhawk Drives: 1999 Trans Am Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bridgewater,Ma Posts: 2,018	Belt driven blowers are more idiot proof.Meaning less can go wrong ect. For power,the turbo wins BUT you really need to maintain them and check little things often.Then it can easilly overboost on ya. I ran a Turbo on my truck for 40k miles(100k now on the stock motor).Stock motor with a small cam.Made 520hp/500tq out of the little 5.3L,was the wifes daily driver and towed my race car around.Had no problems at all/ever. So I'll say turbo's can be very reliable IF installed properly but most people would be better off with a belt drive setup.

08-07-2010, 08:40 PM	#14
Jchaluja Drives: ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,321	I have had a TT setup for a year now, I really enjoy it and no problems so far...I've put 13k miles on it and drive it daily.....I sure hope it is as reliable (based on everyone's opinions on blowers)....I have my turbos setup to 8 psi boost and I don't use a boost controller by design so I'm not tempted to mess with my good combo....