Vortech Supercharger

[TJWilly]

Hello all!

First post but a long time reader... I tried to search for the answer but didn't see what I needed.

I have a vortech supercharger on my Jeep Wrangler I installed a couple years ago. I am leaving town and need to change the oil in the SC'er ASAP - read: don't have time to wait on another order from Vortech proper.

What off the shelf oil can I safely run in the supercharger?

Thanks in advance!

Edit: This is the V3 self contained unit/kit put together by Ripp Mods.

 

[bdcardinal]

When did Vortech start using self contained oil? When I was into the ProCharger setups, they they used Redline 50w, same as Kenne Bell and Whipple on their blowers.

 

[TJWilly]

I couldn't say as I am fairly new to the boost world but they have a few self oiled models. Mine is the V3.

The oil they sell for it is 'house branded'. Not sure what is in those bottles.

 

[PhillyJoe]

GM cars have had superchargers for years. Mine is made by Eaton. Any GM dealer should carry supercharger oil if you are in a pinch. I know it is synthetic.

 

[A_Harman]

This is interesting. I didn't know Vortech had self-contained oiling on their superchargers. When I worked with Vortech superchargers years ago, they took engine oil. I don't think I would be entirely comfortable using Eaton supercharger lube in a Vortech. The Eaton supercharger is a Roots design, and the Vortech is a centrifugal. The gears in the Roots unit are not as heavily loaded as the gears in a centrifugal. If I remember correctly, the step-up ratio in a Vortech is about 6:1, which makes for a lot of shear on the oil, leading to a lot of churning, foaming, and oxidation. Since the supercharger oil is self-contained, I think you should use a gear oil, not engine oil. And nothing heavy, due to the high gear speeds. Perhaps a light gear oil made by Redline?

Have you smelled the lube sold by Vortech? Does it smell like it has a lot of sulfur? If it does, that should put you on the path for using a gear lube.

 

[TJWilly]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes - I have smelled it - after it was used I should say, and it was pretty foul smelling! I wish I could remember if it had a sulfer smell. You'd think I wouldn't forget something like that. But it did stink.

 

[A_Harman]

If it stunk, it was gear lube.

 

[TJWilly]

Thanks... now to figure out what gear oil to use.

 

[wymi516]

I'd call Vortech, they are pretty specific about only using their oil.

http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/page.php?id=30162

 

[PhillyJoe]

A quick search didn't find much help. Some are saying you need a very thin synthetic gear oil. One other said:

"Anyway, I have a VF-E kit with the V3 supercharger. I'm looking for options instead of the Vortech-only sourced V3 oil. I've looked at several forums and most point to Mobil Jet Oil II and other similar spec-ed oils."

Any airports nearby?

 

[A_Harman]

I was recommending Redline because their oils are ester based, as are jet aircraft oils. Order the genuine stuff from Vortech, and use a lightweight synthetic gear oil in the meantime.

 

[DragRace]

I run the Vortech where you tap into the oil pan,but on the self contained Vortech's,the guys I know who run them,they use the oil from Vortech.

 

[TJWilly]

Thanks guys... This'll teach me to let stock run low!