Time to Upgrade the Vortech Pulley

[JoeBoomz]

I went from stock 3.6 to 3.3 recently, here are some snaps along the way.

Before starting I wanted to point out that the original owner of my car had the kit installed at a Ford dealer, NOT by Dennis Reinhart. Dennis would have done it properly ;)


Dennis I have a couple of question for you if you wouldn't mind chiming in to answer, I'd really appreciate it :beer:

Here is the DR Vortech kit all together and operational.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG_3349.JPG

Dennis on my car the intake tube rubs the hood, and I have tried moving the tubes down without a lot of luck. Any suggestions?

Here's a close look at the idler between the alternator and the Vortech pulley, and you can see how the Vortech bracket covers the tensioner.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00838-20110617-1551.jpg

Here you can see the top of that same idler and the (CLOSE!) clearance to the Vortech pulley.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00841-20110617-1551.jpg

Here's the V-2 off the car and on the bench
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00843-20110617-1630.jpg


Here's an issue I had with the car since I got it. Oil would leak on the outside of the return line and the original owner said he took it back to Ford several times and they couldn't figure it out.

After trying several times to tighten the connections, I was starting to suspect the leak was out of the supercharger itself, and I found out this was true:
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00842-20110617-1630.jpg
Hello leak!
Look at the mess this has caused over the years:
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00844-20110617-1630.jpg

Here's the cause - no thread sealant. Brilliant, guys, I'm pretty sure the kit comes with a pretty obvious warning to use Teflon tape or some other sealant on these threads. They never did and the car has dripped for the past 6 years because of it.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00845-20110617-1636.jpg

...continued in next post

[JoeBoomz]

...continued from previous post

Dennis, what does this hex screw do on the casing on the outlet side?
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00848-20110617-1650.jpg

...goes straight through and doesn't seem to accomplish much.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00849-20110617-1650.jpg


The Vortech manual warns against running the blower below freezing temperatures due to tight clearance and tolerances in the design. After seeing how close the blades are to the case here I can see why:
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00850-20110617-1650.jpg

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00851-20110617-1650.jpg

http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00852-20110617-1650.jpg

Here's the grime on the engine cover under the blower thanks to the oil leak:
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00853-20110617-1654.jpg


...after a bunch of time spent cleaning all the oil and grime off the engine and blower assembly, it's time to do the pulley upgrade!!! Here's a look at the back of the blower:
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00854-20110617-1802.jpg

Take the big 3.6 off easily with an air gun and put it next to the 3.3...
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00855-20110617-1809.jpg

Put the smaller 3.3 on the blower, finger tighten the bolt and finish it with the air gun.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00856-20110617-1826.jpg

continued on next post...

[JoeBoomz]

...continued from previous post

Before putting the Vortech back on, I fixed that oil leak permanently, the right way.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00881-20110618-1940.jpg

I added a 1" extender to the port so one can change the hose fitting if needed without pulling the blower off again (it is down far enough to reach from the underside now).
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00882-20110618-1946.jpg

Here's a shot of the must-need tool for the centri owner, Dennis' belt tensioner tool.
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-15-2011-Vortech/IMG00857-20110617-1839.jpg

Finally, one very important point, check your vacuum lines for tightness! The jump to 12PSI resulted in me blowing the line off the intake on my first run. Here's my quick-fix zip-tie solution to get me back up and running again :D
http://images.ioncross.com/mercurymarauder.net/07-13-2011-pics/IMG00883-20110619-0953.jpg

Thanks for the BOOST Dennis, my car definitely has more push now!

[sailsmen]

Good write up.

My experience is the Gator Back grips well but stretches over time.

I have had the best luck with Gates, especially the Fleet Runner Green Back. The Fleet Runner will not stretch so it must have an exact size for your application.

I can also highly rec the Vortech High Traction pulleys.

Some S/C pulleys, un like Vortech, are not hardened and the ridges wear over time resulting in slippage.

[Jolly Roger]

I'll bet that hex screw comes out if you want to connect a fitting there to run your boost guage in some applications.;)

[blazen71]

there is an updated PCV system you could change to. Dennis and all us Procharger guys run it.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=25641

[guspech750]

Cool write up and pics!!


Sent from my iPhone
Go White Sox!!!

[JoeBoomz]

I'll bet that hex screw comes out if you want to connect a fitting there to run your boost guage in some applications.;)

This was my assumption too - there is another one along the outlet around the bottom bend.

[RacerX]

Awww Joe... :( I see a few problems. I'll let you send the kit to me so I can fix it though. ;) Nice write-up!

[MOTOWN]

Great write up! excellent post

[JoeBoomz]

Awww Joe... :( I see a few problems. I'll let you send the kit to me so I can fix it though. ;) Nice write-up!

Heh, sure Bill, it's in the mail :lol:

[Marauder131]

Hey Joe,

What type of gains did you get from the pulley change?

[JoeBoomz]

Hey Joe,

What type of gains did you get from the pulley change?

Good question, I don't have before/after dyno runs. From what I'm read it should be worth around 20-40HP.

Boost-wise, I went from ~9.5PSI to ~12 PSI at 6000 RPM. There is much more noticeable power in the mid-range and of course more now on the top end.

The upgrade made worse a fuel supply problem that I apparently had before changing the pulley - a BAP is on the way that should fix the problem next week. If you're going to do it you need to datalog and verify that your fuel pressure is maintaining ~40PSI before and after the upgrade.

[Marauder131]

Are you getting a re-tune, or do you check the a/f yourself via datalogging? 12 PSI is pretty good. I imagine that would provide for some extra grunt.


Good question, I don't have before/after dyno runs. From what I'm read it should be worth around 20-40HP.

Boost-wise, I went from ~9.5PSI to ~12 PSI at 6000 RPM. There is much more noticeable power in the mid-range and of course more now on the top end.

The upgrade made worse a fuel supply problem that I apparently had before changing the pulley - a BAP is on the way that should fix the problem next week. If you're going to do it you need to datalog and verify that your fuel pressure is maintaining ~40PSI before and after the upgrade.

[JoeBoomz]

Are you getting a re-tune, or do you check the a/f yourself via datalogging? 12 PSI is pretty good. I imagine that would provide for some extra grunt.

Logging via LiveLink, tuning via Advantage (Pro Racer)