I posted this same exact thread on the forced induction section but thought it could also fit here as it would answer my question on engine reliabilty.

Was thinking about running 8psi ATI and just wanted to know if I will HAVE TO become a part of the "engine rebuild club" later or not?

Heres the setup I was thinking about purchasing:

ATI D-1SC (or P-1SC) 8psi
145 slave cylinder
Good Clutch (havent decided yet)
NGK TR6 spark plugs
Dyno testing and tuning
Injectors will depend on (FMU setup - not decided yet either)

Car is a 2002 TA WS6 6-spd. Has nothing but an airlid, corsa exhaust, slp y-pipe, and some appearance mods.

So would this be "reliable" to my engine or not? By engine I mean EVERYTHING (springs, rods, crankshaft, you name it).

Reason for this post is because I hear a lot of people saying if I were to run boost I would definetly need to rebuild my engine in a matter of a short period of time (not more than 3 years depending on driving style) while others tend to say if it was tuned correctly there would be no problems and there should be no need to rebuild the engine and it should last as long as it came STOCK unless I go over 10# of boost.

To some of you this might sound like im asking for your prediction on this. Anyone with a 98 LS1 with a supercharger installed IN THE SAME YEAR (preferably the ATI procharger) would be of EXCELLENT help now.

I asked this same question to some s/c ls1 owners but the more response I get the better. Ill try posting in the "internal engine" board as well to get answers from both sides.

This should be a investment for no more than $5500 (hopefully). It would mean a lot to me if I can get some advice. Dont want to regret anything.

Thanks a ton for all of you who can be of assistance.

 

I'm in over a year now with my ATI on my car, running 6-8psi depending on weather conditions. If you keep your car tuned, follow the change intervals for the plugs/fuel filter/etc, and generally respect your car for the most part, you can go years without having any problems.

Just remember, keep up on the maintenance and you'll be good to go.

 

Thanks for the response Bone maro.
I see that you have 3.73 gears. You must be spinning quite a lot .

I am thinking about spending around $6,000 to make my street car much faster (lets say high 11s in the 1/4 with regular street tires). The only fear I have is reliability. I am starting to think maybe a head and cam package would be a much safer and therefore the smarter approach?

Anyone with more feedback on this?

BTW how fast do you run the 1/4 with 6# on street tires?

 

Dude lets hope you like replacing rear end and tranny parts... You put that much thru a M6 and you will end up like my rear end..

Nasty rear end pics

BTW this happened after racing quite a bit on a stock engine, no blower or any power adders cept the headers/cat back....

Just food for thought

 

thats why ford gt's are in the junkyards an 8.8 rear can be had for 150 bux and FULLY built for 800........ that 950 for a built 8.8 which will allow you to run anything you want. thats what i'm gonna do

 

Actually, I hook pretty damned well. I run 275/50/15 BFGs DRs in the back. Very sticky, and a nice sidewall flex to go with it. I chirp them and then get thrown back into the seat

Superchargers are great. Regular power on the low end, big power ont he top end. Plus, you can't beat the sound. Ultimately, it's your call whether you go FI or heads/cam. I did the SC first, and plan on heade/cam this winter after my tranny upgrade.

Speaking of that. My stock tranny and rear end are holding up just fine.

I haven't had the benefit of being at the track running any more than 4psi. The big disadvantage of running boost. It's seriously affected by ambient temps and humidity. It was 80*+ with humidity in the 90+% range, and I had a slipping belt.

On 4psi, I was running consistantly 12.5xx@113.xx. This was with my old wheel setup, cutting consistant 2.0x 60' on a stock converter.

So, it's great and the power's there. It's all about what you want to do

 

WOW syndr0me, you broke it with your stock engine?

how in the world did you do that? I heard the rear holds up fine to about 450ish hp/tq !!! you must of been using slicks or launching at high RPMS. Let me know what do you think caused this please.

I would never use slicks if I decide to go either the s/c or the h/c approach. Dont get me wrong I love drag racing. Its just that my whole purpose is to make my street car a killer.

Bone maro, you mentioned with a s.c and correct tuning I could go years with no problems. How many would you estimate? 2-3 years? or more like 5-6 years?

I do appreciate the responses guys. Hope more people chime in.

 

i dont know what your budget is, but if it is more flexible, the vortec supercharger on a stock engine w/6psi makes 380hp, but add $1200. for an aftercooler with it, turns it up to 448hp. i paid $5700 for the aftercooled model. unfortunately its still not installed. sitting in a box.