Supercharged vs. Turbocharged (3 months ago)

[aiy_yah]

About 3 months ago, I had asked for opinions on whether to go supercharged or turbocharged. As it turned out, I ended up getting a decent deal on a supercharged Civic Si engine and added the following mods:
- ACT stage 2 racing clutch
- lightened flywheel
- custom cams (made by the guys that make cams for JWT )
- custom 2-1/2" cat-back SS exhaust
- short shifter
- headers (don't know what brand) with header wrap
- short ram intake (I'll be modding my old AEM CAI to fit this engine soon)

Had this all done in Vancouver - my brother drove my car out to have it done and said it kicked ass. However, on the way back, the belt that went around the crank, alternator and supercharger stretched and glazed. Had a heck of a time finding the right belt and trying to do it myself. Ended up paying a shop to do it, but they did it wrong, so I took it back to have it done again.

Finally picked up my car yesterday, with the belt done properly. The engine is running smoothly and the alternator is charging the battery again (that was the main problem with the belt previously). However, I am getting no boost from the supercharger, though I heard a faint whine at about 5000rpm in first gear. When I pop the hood and play with the throttle, the bypass valve (?) moves, meaning, as I understand, that the supercharger is working.

Can anyone help me with any suggestions on what else I can check? Or suggest someplace I can go to? Besides Davenport, as they were rude to my brothers when I had the belt problem and they are apparently booked until December (I can't wait that long).

I am thinking about getting a boost gauge to make sure it is boosting (wasn't going to get one originally, to keep it sleeper).

[legendboy]

Why not just troubleshoot it yourself. There are only so many things it could be dude.

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by legendboy
Why not just troubleshoot it yourself. There are only so many things it could be dude.

And that is why I posted to see if anybody has any suggestions as to what to check. I would love to trouble shoot it myself as I spent a lot of money doing the swap and then a bunch more fixing the damn belt.
Obviously it's a little more difficult than you think if you could not suggest anything but to look into it myself.

[90_Shelby]

Originally posted by aiy_yah
Can anyone help me with any suggestions on what else I can check? Or suggest someplace I can go to? Besides Davenport, as they were rude to my brothers when I had the belt problem and they are apparently booked until December (I can't wait that long).

Actually the guys at Davenport weren't rude, your brothers wanted the car fixed the minute they walked in the door.... When the mechanics are booked doing 30k jobs on C5 Vettes the tools aren't dropped to fix your car. The owner told your brothers we could look at it the following week and they left. The shop would like to apologize if that is being rude.

[ls/vtec-crx]

Bring it by to Speedtech and ask for Allan. I will be able to check it for you.

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by 90_Shelby




Actually the guys at Davenport weren't rude, your brothers wanted the car fixed the minute they walked in the door.... When the mechanics are booked doing 30k jobs on C5 Vettes the tools aren't dropped to fix your car. The owner told your brothers we could look at it the following week and they left. The shop would like to apologize if that is being rude.

I wasn't there, but I don't think they expected people to drop everything and jump on fixing my car. I don't have $30k or a vette, but I do believe that everyone should be treated like a customer. Most of the time, it's not what you say, but how you say it. They were told to leave the car there and it "might" get looked at. And if that did happen, it would have been a huge favor .

Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding between both parties.

[90_Shelby]

Usually when something is "fit in" we make time for it between other jobs, thats why the car was asked to be left. I would recommend bringing your own car to any shop and talking to whom ever first hand, then there won't be any third party discrepancies.

[B18C]

so the supercharger pulley moves and everything but you get no boost?

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by 90_Shelby
Usually when something is "fit in" we make time for it between other jobs, thats why the car was asked to be left. I would recommend bringing your own car to any shop and talking to whom ever first hand, then there won't be any third party discrepancies.

It's hard for me to do that as I work 8-5 weekdays and most places aren't open on Saturdays.

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by B18C
so the supercharger pulley moves and everything but you get no boost?

Yes, the pulley moves, but the car does not "pull". I am gonna install a boost gauge tonight and see if any boost registers.

[B18C]

does the supercharger make any noise? ie. to tell you that it is working?

[Hollywood]

Speedville is open every saturday as well as sundays sometimes (mechanics discretion). Plus Speedville has a fully licenced certified mechanic both canada and US. His name is Al. He has expierience with supercharged and turbo cars.

Karl owns the Shop. 214-3680. Tell them I sent you.

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by B18C
does the supercharger make any noise? ie. to tell you that it is working?

My brother and I both thought we heard a slight "whine" at around 5000rpm on first. Other than that, no.

[aiy_yah]

Originally posted by Hollywood
Tell them I sent you.

If I do end up going (I have a few other leads right now), who can I say sent me?

[aiy_yah]

Installed a boost gauge tonight. On the test run, I floored the gas and the boost gauge went from -10 (cruising) to 0. No idea why it is not boosting.

[joejoe3]

It is boosting, research on some superchargers and i believe it says psi drop overs rpm, but more power is gain... it's weird

[B18C]

Mine drops a little less than 1psi from 7000 to 8200rpm