Should I buy a new or used Supercharger kit?

[KKell83]

Not sure what to do...

I usually buy performance mods like this brand new, but I only have $4-4500 to spend, and I know this isn't enough for a new full Novi, Procharger or Vortech kit. Yet, I haven't had much luck finding used kits which have low mileage (not to mention you have to take the word of the past owner if ran right). What would you guys do? Save for a new kit, or buy a used unit?

I really want a Procharger stage II ~independent 8-rib is sexy, but a Novi 2200 is my second pick (IDK about the Vortech units, I like my front mount I/C). Goal is to make 550+ whp.

Who has the best price right now on new COMPLETE kits? I want everything, including I/C, although I do have gt500 pumps.

Thanks Ken.

 

[skwerl]

IMO a new kit will end up being cheaper about 90% of the time. You can take that to the bank.

 

[Newman]

Moved to chit chat .

"Which to buy" is not tech.
Read up before you post in tech.

 

[lethe]

For pricing talk to some of the vendors in the vendors section.

 

[JoshK]

You can have a brand new turbo setup for that kind of money.

 

[BruceH]

Not sure what to do...

I usually buy performance mods like this brand new, but I only have $4-4500 to spend, and I know this isn't enough for a new full Novi, Procharger or Vortech kit. Yet, I haven't had much luck finding used kits which have low mileage (not to mention you have to take the word of the past owner if ran right). What would you guys do? Save for a new kit, or buy a used unit?

I really want a Procharger stage II ~independent 8-rib is sexy, but a Novi 2200 is my second pick (IDK about the Vortech units, I like my front mount I/C). Goal is to make 550+ whp.

Who has the best price right now on new COMPLETE kits? I want everything, including I/C, although I do have gt500 pumps.

Thanks Ken.

Beefcake comes to mind. He's a vendor that sells Paxton. Gmitch also comes to mind. Gmitch is the Department of Boost. He sells a kit that uses GT500 blowers. You would probably need a 2.3 TVS with the DOB manifold to make the level you want.

IMO you will be better off with a tuner kit. They usually come with everything but a fuel upgrade and tune. Since you already have the pumps all you would need are fuel injectors and a tune. I'm fairly certain that either of those kits would make 550+ at or under your budget.

Are you only interested in centri superchargers?

 

[KKell83]

At this moment of time I only want the centi's. The car stated life with a Whipple HO kit @ 10psi, it was fun but had bearing issues so I sold that awhile ago which helped fund my Turbonetics turbo kit (which was total crap). The turbo kit had countless issues, not to mention clearance issues. My daily driver turned into a darn project car.

Thanks for the fast reply's.

 

[KKell83]

Moved to chit chat .

"Which to buy" is not tech.
Read up before you post in tech.

Sorry about that.

 

[skwerl]

So how much money did you lose on the first two used kits?

 

[weather man]

So how much money did you lose on the first two used kits?

They don't have to be used to lose money Brian.

 

[86GT351]

Used will work but you are always taking more of a chance of an issue. Even with verification of the serial number to the company you can gets ome info. Unfortunately that still guaranytees nothing.

 

[KKell83]

So how much money did you lose on the first two used kits?

I bought the car with the Whipple. And spent about $1k with tune for the turbo kit. So I'm out a grand.

 

[BruceH]

At this moment of time I only want the centi's. The car stated life with a Whipple HO kit @ 10psi, it was fun but had bearing issues so I sold that awhile ago which helped fund my Turbonetics turbo kit (which was total crap). The turbo kit had countless issues, not to mention clearance issues. My daily driver turned into a darn project car.

Thanks for the fast reply's.

Since you already have experience with other forms of forced induction and are sure a centri is what you want maybe save for a Procharger tuner kit? I have a feeling that you will eventually go that way anyway since it's your first pick.

I've had a D1SC and imo it's a very well made kit. It would be my first choice if I was going to get another centri. I've also owned a Paxton. It worked fine and made power. The Procharger is a higher level of fit and finish imo. It also has a billet wheel compressor which means it can be spun to higher rpms. Because of that it's geared higher which means it gets into boost faster and at lower rpms while still being within it's rpm range to redline.

 

[KKell83]

Since you already have experience with other forms of forced induction and are sure a centri is what you want maybe save for a Procharger tuner kit? I have a feeling that you will eventually go that way anyway since it's your first pick.

I've had a D1SC and imo it's a very well made kit. It would be my first choice if I was going to get another centri. I've also owned a Paxton. It worked fine and made power. The Procharger is a higher level of fit and finish imo. It also has a billet wheel compressor which means it can be spun to higher rpms. Because of that it's geared higher which means it gets into boost faster and at lower rpms while still being within it's rpm range to redline.

Thanks!

 

[eighty6gt]

Sell all cars buy 2013 GT500 leave stock... my advice. Hehehehe.

I bought a used supercharger kit and did all right, because I can blacksmith and pull wrenches pretty well. Cost about 2/3rds that of new.

 

[Unreal]

Vortech=Paxton
Same company, different name. Both air power research blowers. JT trim is a 2200. Only difference is paxton uses a different case but there is no effect on performance/etc. Same wheels/guts/etc.

 

[JoshK]

If you are set on a centri I would get with beefcake from this forum. He will hook you up with a kit.

 

[BruceH]

Vortech=Paxton
Same company, different name. Both air power research blowers. JT trim is a 2200. Only difference is paxton uses a different case but there is no effect on performance/etc. Same wheels/guts/etc.

On a 3v Vortech is water cooled. That's why the op said he wasn't sure about a vortech, because he wants to keep his fmic.

 

[JoshK]

He could buy a non-intercooled vortech kit and use hise intercooler setup. Save some extra cash doing that.

 

[KKell83]

He could buy a non-intercooled vortech kit and use hise intercooler setup. Save some extra cash doing that.

I no longer have my old IC setup. It was sold with the turbo parts.