What Are YOur Opinions on Rotrex Superchargers

[icemann633]

I have been considering getting a SC system from AA now that i got some financial relief from my birthday. I almost have enough money for the system but am sorta skeptical. I love AA and their people and products but not so sure on the system. These chargers operate at very high speeds like a turbo, which also helps get better tq numbers but im guessing they are limited on the amount of boost they can run. Dinans kit and ESSs vortech kit are nice. ESS offers a stg 2 upgrade and such with no problems.

Bottom line is what are the Pros/Cons of Rotrex in itself and compared to other Supercharger companies. I live close to AA so all work/tuning would be done there no matter wat i get probably.

Thanks

Keith

[SG_M3]

The AA looks great if you are happy with 8-9 psi. If you want more boost then I would go with a votech based kit. As you said the Rotrex blower does turn at rpms near a turbo, thus you have to worry about its efficiency of the blower.

Do a search on here and there are some good threads about the kit. Also check out bf.com and search for "Ryan C" he has the AA on his M Coupe and has written about it many times.

[Suneal]

I suggest going with it
I believe that if you install an AA W/A Injection system in your car you can crank up the boost on the S/C, but don't quote me on it.

Talk to Rey for more info

[icemann633]

I dont believe so...The boost is soley on the pully...But then again the Rotrex doesnt operate by pully does it?

[icemann633]

bump ^

[Suneal]

Originally posted by icemann633
I dont believe so...The boost is soley on the pully...But then again the Rotrex doesnt operate by pully does it?

Hmmm.....I'm confused now. I heard somewhere that you can change boost levels, but I also know that getting a smaller pulley accomplishes that. And I don't think that the Rotrex supercharges use pulleys- maybe my original source is false. I'll talk to Rey today, he could clear it all up...

[Matthew C Smith]

If it doesn't use a pulley then how does the supercharger spin?

SG's point is that the supercharger many be at about it's maximum capabilities.

-> Forced Induction

[stimpee]

It is pulley driven and its rpm is directly related to crank rpm, same as any other non turbine driven (turbo) supercharger. It just spins way faster than most other centrifugal superchargers, and therefore uses a much smaller compressor wheel (and hence has a smaller housing).

It is unique in the internal gear "reduction" that turns the pulley rpm into the high rpm of the compressor.

Steve

[ESP]

Technically it is not gearing, it is a planetary system that is used to produce the ratios that give the Rotrex such high rpms. You are limited to the amount of boost you can run with the Rotrex based upon RPMS that the SC can spin and as Steve stated this is directly related to the engine RPMs and the pulleys used

[stimpee]

True, sorry about the technical "Faux pas" there!!

The rotrex uses a planetary "friction drive" to speed up the compressor.

Steve

[RAiMA]

I've owned a Rotrex supercharger for a while and I've also had a larger Vortech supercharger. Here is my personal opinion from first hand experience of the pros and cons for each blower.

Rotrex - Pro : Small and compact, very fast spin up speed (good power down low), good value, doesn't require engine to be decompressed, doesn't require intercooler

Rotrex - Con : Limited to only 10PSI, Friction driven, older Rotrex blowers that used friction modified oil would kill the blower. They now fixed the problem by providing their own oil pump and oil reserve. Older blowers were also recommended to use oil coolers, engine also heat soaks very quickly without intercooler

Vortech - Pro : Boost and lots of boost!!! (16-18PSI), runs on gears, so doesn't matter if oil was friction modified, surdy and reliable (up to 60k miles)

Vortech - Con : EXPENSIVE!!! Hardly any power before 4,000 rpms, requires engine to be decompressed, intercooler is highly recommended, did I mention it was expensive?

So there you go, I hope this helps

[m3racer36]

i think theirkit looks good after 8 lbs you are going to need motor work anyways i would go with their kit. their kit is the best for the money in my opinion

[Guido]

its less suseptable to heat soak over a vortech based unit

[icemann633]

Yea...Thats my number one selling point. I live in flrodia so i would rather have 380hp consistenly than have it fluctuate from 370-390hp...or even more drastic...

[SG_M3]

Originally posted by Guido
its less suseptable to heat soak over a vortech based unit

How do you figure?