Custom Bay: Supercharged Profits

In textbook terms, a vortex refers to any spinning flow of fluid swirling rapidly around a center. A Vortech, on the other hand, is the name for a centrifugal supercharger used on a variety of muscle cars, import tuners and sport trucks to pump up th

Steve Temple

Jan. 1, 2020

3 min read

Adding a High-Velocity Vortech to a 'Vette

IN TEXTBOOK TERMS, a vortex refers to any spinning flow of fluid swirling rapidly around a center. A Vortech, on the other hand, is the name for a centrifugal supercharger used on a variety of muscle cars, import tuners and sport trucks to pump up the performance.

There are other types of blowers on the market of course, but the centrifugal unit has the advantage of a linear boost pressure, which just keeps on building more pressure the faster it spins. In that respect it's been described as a belt-driven turbo.

So what's it like to drive the already power-rich Z06 Corvette with this type of supercharger? That partly depends on whether you hit it like a jackhammer or spool it up with a lighter touch. If you spike the revs and dump the clutch, the tires will spin furiously, full of sound and fury. But when you don't hook them up, the acceleration time will only be a tick or two quicker than those of a stock LS7 V-8.

On the other hand, if you feather the throttle, rolling on the power in a judicious manner, the experience is mind bending. Control the wheelspin, and you can expect a 0-to-60 mph time in the blink of 3.8 seconds. Nothing else quite satisfies after having this much power on tap, something your performance customers no doubt will thank you for many times over.

For the service pro, there are some other reasons to love this setup from a purely practical standpoint. Gone is the cumbersome air-to-water intercooler in favor of a new easier-to-install, air-to-air intercooler.

Bolting on a blower is a straightforward proposition, and once in place, the sound of the centrifugal system is remarkably subdued. Called the V-2 SQ T-trim centrifugal supercharger, the SQ design rightly stands for "Super Quiet." The system delivers more than six pounds of boost to the LS7 V-8.

The Vortech kit includes everything needed for installation: a T-trim supercharger, air-to-air aluminum intercooler, compressor bypass valve, aluminum mounting brackets and hardware, high-flow fuel pump, oversize fuel injectors, and even a specially programmed Diablo Sports handheld programmer to reflash the factory computer with the proper spark/fuel calibrations.

The result is an LS7 engine that cranks out a dyno-proven 635 horses, while sipping 91-octane pump fuel. In addition, the 50-state smog-legal kit (CARB D-213-25) is available with a three-year/36,000-mile powertrain warranty through Vortech's network of installers and new-car dealers.

But does a Z06 even need a blower? Danica Patrick once griped about the lack of low-end grunt on a stock LS7 V-8. This Vortech oughta shut her up — fast.

Steve Temple is a freelance technical writer and photographer with more than 25 years' experience. He has served as director of sales and marketing for Shelby American and as online editor for major magazines such as Hot Rod, Car Craft and Rod & Custom.