Magna Charger Question:

Ok I’m about to take the plunge tomorrow morning I’m having the Magna Charger installed.
Also having dual electric fans installed to replace the howling beast currently there and a tire carrier.

My question or questions for those who have had the Magna Charger installed.
Any regrets?
Would you do it again if you could?
Have you had any problems and how were they dealt with?
Did your local H2 dealer do the install?

Have you received the performance gains advertised? (63% - 125%) increase in horse power? What about the added torque? Is it what you expected?

I’m just a little nervous I guess. It is comforting that the dealer is going to stand behind the install and take care of any issue, or so I’m being told.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Magna Charger Question:

Ok I’m about to take the plunge tomorrow morning I’m having the Magna Charger installed.
Also having dual electric fans installed to replace the howling beast currently there and a tire carrier.

My question or questions for those who have had the Magna Charger installed.
Any regrets?
Would you do it again if you could?
Have you had any problems and how were they dealt with?
Did your local H2 dealer do the install?

Have you received the performance gains advertised? (63% - 125%) increase in horse power? What about the added torque? Is it what you expected?

I’m just a little nervous I guess. It is comforting that the dealer is going to stand behind the install and take care of any issue, or so I’m being told.

Thanks in advance for your input.

First of all, don't get the fans if you plan on wheeling in deep water unless you have an auxillary cut off. I shredded both of mine at Paragon and that was not fun. It's now back to stock.

Answers to your questions:
1. No regrets. Love it.
2. Yes.
3. The problems I have had were dealt with by LPE in a very professional manner. I can't say the same for Mag. They did NOT cover the warranty work I had done even though that is part of their agreement with LPE. The sc's bearings needed replacing. LPE did pay for it and the work done at the dealership.
4. Dealer did not do the work, but they have been extremely helpful in all instances.
5. Perf. gains? Hell yeah.

Old video, but worth watching. You can't see the tires spinning at the line.
http://www.svt-enthusiast.com/albums...DLIGHTNING.wmv

Relax and congrats. I understand the issue with the bearings is quite rare. I just wish they would have taken care of it properly.

BTW, another forum member had a problem with his bearings and Mag sent them the replacement right away. I think it was kdio.

Ken,

It must be the bearing then that I have been hearing lately. It sounded like my engine was having the knock and ping. I knew it was coming from the pulleys. I am taking it back to the dealer since they installed it.
Re: questions from Fubar
I also test drove a non s/c H2 and it also had the intake and exhaust upgrades and I felt the huge amount of power difference immediately.
Just be prepared to pay for the premium fuel required. Unfortunately my magna H2 get only 7.5 mpg here in the Bay Area and I do not have a lead foot.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nikramos:
Ken,

It must be the bearing then that I have been hearing lately. It sounded like my engine was having the knock and ping. I knew it was coming from the pulleys. I am taking it back to the dealer since they installed it.
Re: questions from Fubar
I also test drove a non s/c H2 and it also had the intake and exhaust upgrades and I felt the huge amount of power difference immediately.
Just be prepared to pay for the premium fuel required. Unfortunately my magna H2 get only 7.5 mpg here in the Bay Area and I do not have a lead foot. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ken & nikramous
Thank you very much for your promt response.
Ken, Thanks for the video link very cool.

Its funny about the fule thing the Magna Charger site clearly states that there will be little to no change in fule mph. They do say 1mpg in the city.
Are you guys running high octane or can I get by with the lower grade stuff?

Good point Ken about the water crossing. I'll have them install a cut-off switch in the cab. I don't do a lot of serious off roading but it would be nice to be able to shut them down if needed.

Say goodbye to regular gas. You will damage your engine with it.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nikramos:
Say goodbye to regular gas. You will damage your engine with it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well that sucks Good thing the H2 is not my daily driver with gas over $2.00 per gal again. I'll ask the tecks at the dealership about the gas thing but I suspect you are proably correct.

Thanks,

Just remember, I had much more done than just the sc and such. I get 11.3 mpg.

Make sure you turn the fans back on after you get out.

originally posted by KenP,
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>First of all, don't get the fans if you plan on wheeling in deep water unless you have an auxillary cut off. I shredded both of mine at Paragon and that was not fun. It's now back to stock.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
And what a friggin nightmare that was! Thank God we had a Lingenfelter Feild Tech on hand!!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenP:
Just remember, I had much more done than just the sc and such. I get 11.3 mpg.

Make sure you turn the fans back on after you get out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More HP and 11.3mpg? Ill take that deal all day long...the increase of MPG from 10.8 is just gravy...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KenP:
Just remember, I had much more done than just the sc and such. I get 11.3 mpg.

Make sure you turn the fans back on after you get out. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I may regret this decision to go with a SC. Right now on the hiway I'm getting 14.5-15mpg hopefully it will not take too much of a nose drive.

I've got one that I installed myself. I only paid $4,587.00 for the supercharger. My local dealer wanted $10k installed. The most likely item to break is the transmission and a very good friend of mine is a transmission rebuilder that has severl 4l65E's running 10,s and even 9's on drag cars. I can get it rebuilt for parts only I'd rather insure myself than pay $5k for what might happen.

I've put 250 miles on it since installation. Very happy overall, no problems after installation was completed. I'm getting about 11 mpg average with mixed town and highway. I was getting 12 mpg average before the install. The deal with the lost mpg is that I am in the boost a lot because I live in a very hilly area. I've always bought premium anyway so no big change there. It's only about 15 cents a gallon difference between 87 and 92 here. That's only $4.50 a tank - no big deal.
I'll be doing electric fans for sure on mine. That's good for 15-20 rwhp on most trucks. Gotta be good for the H2 as well.

Do it, you'll like it.

Cory

I have a lead foot too. It's not that I speed, I just get to the limit really fast. nik, I hope mag sends the stuff quickly and the dealership takes care of you.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CHarris:
I've got one that I installed myself. I only paid $4,587.00 for the supercharger. My local dealer wanted $10k installed. The most likely item to break is the transmission and a very good friend of mine is a transmission rebuilder that has severl 4l65E's running 10,s and even 9's on drag cars. I can get it rebuilt for parts only I'd rather insure myself than pay $5k for what might happen.

I've put 250 miles on it since installation. Very happy overall, no problems after installation was completed. I'm getting about 11 mpg average with mixed town and highway. I was getting 12 mpg average before the install. The deal with the lost mpg is that I am in the boost a lot because I live in a very hilly area. I've always bought premium anyway so no big change there. It's only about 15 cents a gallon difference between 87 and 92 here. That's only $4.50 a tank - no big deal.
I'll be doing electric fans for sure on mine. That's good for 15-20 rwhp on most trucks. Gotta be good for the H2 as well.

Do it, you'll like it.

Cory <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

CHarris:
Thank you for your input and for putting me at ease. It sounds like if I was getting a certain mpg before the install chances are pretty good it will be around the same after assuming I can keep my foot out of it.

You are absolutely right about the difference in gas. I hadn't really thought about it but if $4.50 is all the difference per tank full,there is no decision just use the high octaine and be safe. So it's 64.50 instead of 60.00 assuming you get 30 gallons in at or around $2.00 per gallon..

I'm not a lead foot or into racig so I'm not really worried about the trans breaking. I will ask the tech tomorrow about his thoughts on the subject.

I wouldn't pay $10k for just a SC either. I think they are charging me $6,200 for the magna installed and $1,200 for the fans and another $900 for the tire carrier. Those last two imtems may be swithched I don't remember exactly. Then of course there is the tax. Uncle Sam has to be part of the party, damm party crasher.

Sleep time; a little less than 9 hours and it's off to the shop for the upgrades.

Thanks guys for your input.

Hey KenP
Buddy could You give Me the brand and part # for the twin electric fans I have actually just been assuming You had flex-a-lite but, felt i would ask. I have them on My 99 silverado by flexalite and it is amasing the difference it makes. I can see the peril of having electric if hitting water off road. After going thru deep water do You delay a little time before flipping the fan switch on to allow for water drainge to be safe?
Thanks for all the info You have shared with Me. I'm working on My set up hopefully installed by end of Feb. 05. unless I go STS route if they make a good enough offer to justify trying it. Then if I do not get performance I can come back to MC.
Mostly I'm just curious to try the STS and will be contacting and getting more info tuesday. I just have this weird thing about liking to try something out of the ordinary not neccessarily a trail blazer type attitude but, that is the way I have always been in My business life.
I guess that is what makes a person an entrepreneur.
Oh, can You shed some light on this bearing situation I keep reading about? Is there a defect here that needs to be addressed by Magna Charger or just coincedence? I have to be honest and say it is causing Me some concern as I read a few and I do understand can be just a few bearing problems as far as I know.
But, what concerns Me You went TOP OF THE LINE as far as what could be done to assure a safe and dependable install and functionally.
I know We have PM'd about some of this but after hearing a few more complaints I'm a little more concerned at just this point and time about the bearing situation.
PM Me if You like or just repost so others May benefit.
I appoligise for so many questions at once but I hope You do not mind addressing them to help me in My choices etc.
I forgot I carry the video of You crushing the lightning on My laptop and I'm always pulling it out when I get in a discussion about there is no way a 7000 lb. rig can do that. I have told some if Your willing to put Your money where Your mouth is I'll get My friend to bring His H2 down here and I'll put up the money and after He leaves You on the line I'll win enough to make it worth His time to get here. That ussually ends the convo. at that point.
THANKS

TAZ

Taz,

You should take a look over at the truck section on LS1tech.com. There are a lot of trucks running the magnacharger over there and a much greater sample than the relatively few magnacharged H2's posting over here.
As I installed my own kit at home, I found several issues with the installation guide that I documented and sent in to Magnacharger in a report. They took it all in and should be updating the install guides issued with the H2 kit soon. Other than my install issues - all of which were over come with additional install time and some thought - I haven't heard anyone else having any real problem with the set up.

Cory

Taz, Cory is right about the info at ls1tech. Check it out. I would not worry about the bearing issue. We are talking about a small number when compared to all the units sold. I was not upset about the bearings anyway, just Mag's lack of assistance and not standing by their product in this case. On the otherhand, other's have been taken care of. For instance, LPE had a 'vette with a bearing problem just weeks before I did and Mag took care of that one.

As for the fans, mine have been gone since Paragon. They were twin Flex-a-Lite fans. I think they were 15". That's what BKLYN and I were hooking up in this pic. The problem was the blades, not the motor. The blades just sheared off against the resistance of the water. I dare say you could just turn them right back on.

The fan on the left here was missing one blade and later shed most of the rest. I made it 6 hours home with 1 1/2 fans and no overheating.

Here is a pic of the "Official Lingenfelter Tech", BKLYN and the caption from Zing on the photo:
Ta da...Lingenfelter Field Tech in action! Lesson learned: avoid aftermarket fans. Ken installed an electric fan to draw a bit more horsepower from the engine, and when we were playing in the mud the water knocked the blades right off the fan and he began to overheat. When we found the problem we observed the blades breaking off at our fingertips. Cheap plastic. One of the two fans was still in tact but the heat sensor wasn't working and the fan wouldn't turn on, so Peter and Ken rigged up some wire we had and bypassed the sensor to run the fan to get us back to the campsite. We then went out and got a replacement fan being installed here so Ken could do the trip back to VA.

Here is a link to when I think it happened. Before you click, you're better off right clicking and "saving as" the playing off your hard drive since the server very is slow. Size is about 5 MB each.
http://www.checkbuddy.net/H2/118_1833.AVI

I don't have the part numbers, but I know GM trucks went to E-fans on the 2005 model trucks. As we share many 3/4 ton parts (for instance the radiator!) I am going to order stock fans and the shroud and then use an aftermarket turn on sensor and relay. It'll look stock and fit perfectly. Might even fool a dealer at service time... nah - probably won't fool them, but it'll look nice.

Not to steal this thread, but I noticed that the Whipple Supercharger with intercooler is available. I too am trying to decide which way to go had my mine made up on the Magna, when I read the old post. Seems there was a following for the Whipple, but was squashed due to no intercooler. Now that one is available does anyone have any real world data on which mibht give the best pulling power, I guess low end torque is what I need ! I hate to ask but what is the majority opinion as to which would be better for towing? Not gas mileage, Not 0 - 60 TOWING?

Thanks

Jerry,
I don't have any info regarding which would be better for towing. From what I've seen on-line they both claim to produce the same amount of power. I was set on going with Wipple but I had a couple of negative conversations with them on the phone regarding warranty work if it were to come up, and there idea of an intercooler is spraying liquid gas before it gets atomized threw the supercharger. This is a corrosive issue and may explain why they will only warranty the unit for 12 months. Another secondary issue is that they piggyback a computer control unit to your factory one. According to the techs I have spoken to at GM, Ford, & Chevy this can cause problems and is one of the biggest reasons the major manufactures do not choose to deal with Wipple. The biggest reason for me and why I went with the Magna is that there isn't anyone in this god forsaken town (las vegas) that is capable of installing the Wipple unit. I would have had to driven to either Sparks NV, Phoenix, or Whitter Ca just outside La in order to have the product installed. (and yes I called Wipple to ask where the nearest authorized place to me might be). So after speaking with the local H2 dealer and getting it in writing that they will repair under warranty for (4yrs) ANYTHING that might go wrong with the Magna Charger be it equipment failure or some other type of failure due to the installation or caused by the installation of this product. I decided to go with the Magna Charger, it is being installed now I should have it back by Friday. I am planning on taking it to a dyno shop to find out what the numbers are and I will share the info when I get it.

If you have someone you trust in your town who can install the unit and will stand behind that installation then by all means go with the Wipple. A lot of people I spoke with unfortunately from other parts of the country are very, very happy with there Wipple’s. I am not putting down the product. Just trying to justify my decision in my own mind and sharing some of what I just went through.

Thanks for the info, I did not know of the issues you noted above. My dealer said they would install the magna charger.

Can't wait for your report. Good luck with your install.

The idea of spraying fuel into the intake charge as an intercooling function is a death knoll to the idea of buying the Whipple.

A piggyback ECM is fine if it overides the standard unit from a given rpm(usually 4000rpm'ish) and modifies the fuel/ignition, but a positive displacement blower needs tuning(enrichment) from the beginning of the powerband enhancement, so a full tune would be more beneficial, if not down right needed.

I'm no expert just relaying what I've learned along the way of making my own decision. Personally regardless of any short comings the Wipple my or may not have if I could of had the Wipple installed and had someone stand behind the work I'd probably had gone with the Wipple.
Giving credit to my local dealer here they said they would install anything I wanted but if a repair issue came up I'd have to deal with the manufacture if I went with the Wipple. Plus because of there unfamiliarity with the unit it would cost much more to install because of the added labor. After speaking with the GM certified master technician that is doing my install and learning he'd never installed a Wipple my mind was pretty much made up to go with the Magna Charger.
I don’t have specific needs other than more power and honestly I’m not going to know the difference between the two units. So might as well go with what they are going to stand behind.

Thanks Ken and Cory for pointing Me to more info.

TAZ

No problem, TAZ. Mag has a long reputation and even though I, and LPE, had issues with them does not mean their product is not good.

Besides, who else would you go with? That is the very frustrating question for me. I think there is room in the SC market for another "roots" manufacturer.

Okay, I'm convienced to Super Charge.

Where is the best place to purchase a Magna SC?

Is the breathless product the new Radix gen5 or is it gen 4? and what the heck is the difference?

Your dealer will probably be one of the better choices. I suspect that if you go to some place like superchargersonline (i thing that it) or anywhere else and purchase the unit and have it shipped to you, your dealer will be able to do the install.
Your dealer will have more purchasing power so don't be surprised if they are able to get you the best price, plus most H2 dealers already carry the unit.

Jerry,

The best place to purchase depends on what kind of warranty you expect. In my case I expect and desire none so I did my own and shopped for the lowest price. If you want/ need the warranty then you are limited to who is in your area that can install the supercharger. If you go this route expect to pay them a premium for the supercharger.
I was able to avoid sales tax by ordering from out of state and doing my own. Not a single one of the dealers here in the area were willing to stand behind their install work with a full warranty unless I bought the supercharger at significant markup from them. So I decided if something happens to the engine I'll drop an SLP 402 cubic inch shortblock in and if the tranny takes a dump I'll get it built to the max instead of another factory build via the warranty.

Whatever you need to do to get it I know you'll enjoy the results.

Cory

My dealer said they would install, but recommended that I purchase parts myself to save money. The service manager is easy to work with and should be no problem if there is warranty work with install or engine. warranty with SC would have to go through seller. Whom did you purchase yours from?

Any comments on buying a used sc?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by drmiles:
Any comments on buying a used sc? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Buyer beware

I'm curious how much approx are you going to be saving by buying used or for that matter buying from someone place other than your dealer?

I mean if as you have pointed out there is a SC hardware problem you'll have to deal with the folks that you purchased it from. Won't this mean extra time that the rig is down for repairs? The dealer or you will have to pull the unit and send it in for repairs. If the dealer does the pulling your going to get charged. I guess what I'm after here is does it really save to shop all over the net for the lowest price only to give it back to the dealer in the end to keep the SC up and operational?

Just wondering. I can see you going the route you are taking if your dealer is or was going to charge you excessively for the Magna.

Jerry,

I bought mine from Speed Engineering a go fast parts place out of California. They drop ship from Magnacharger in another town in California. It took about 3 weeks to get it, but it was the best price I could possible get without working for a shop that could sell them. A trip to LS1tech.com will give you lots of vendors and a few phone calls will to them will give you some figures to bargain one vendor against another.

As a note, using my local dealer for install would have allowed the third party drivetrain warranty via Magnacharger (a $200 option), but the dealer would not warranty it themselves- meaning the dealer would take care of any issues no matter what if I bought via the hummer parts dept. If I brought the supercharger in to them any warranty issues were between me and Magnacharger. Seems to me it shouldn't matter, as it sounds like your dealer is willing to stand behind their work. Mine wasn't unless I paid extra. I'm not impressed one bit with the dealerships here.

I would not buy one used no matter what, unless you know the person and knew the installation. Too much trust involved in that transaction as the most likely source would be a private seller via internet. I also doubt most people would bother to remove the higher flowing fuel pump (in tank pump on 2004 and 2005's) so you would have to get that separately. I know I wouldn't drop my tank again unless I had to!

Cory

Used is just one option. I'm very wary of used mechanical products. There is one in the classified section $4,000. I don't know any other details. Superchargers online adv $5,100. Breathless performance adv $5,700 Dealer said cost plus, no exact figure yet.

I only paid $4,587.00 shipped to my door from Speed Engineering.

Hey Cory, I used to drive 95 Firehawk #49 of 250.
Regret ever selling that car.

Do you have contact info on speed engineering

Speed Engineering is at 2545 N Renn Ave in Fresno, CA. 559-348-0200

About the Firehawk... I liked that car a lot but it developed the dreaded cold start piston slap at about 19000 miles which is pretty late. Most cars that had that issue did it from the start or very early on. Also, the TSB on it said it lasts about 30 seconds... Mine would do it for 3 1/2 minutes. Once again the dealership failed to support so I traded it in and got a 2004 GTO. The GTO is much more comfortable. I might be keeping this one!

Cory

Cory does Speed Engineering have a website?
Thanks

TAZ (Rick)



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CHarris:
Speed Engineering is at 2545 N Renn Ave in Fresno, CA. 559-348-0200

About the Firehawk... I liked that car a lot but it developed the dreaded cold start piston slap at about 19000 miles which is pretty late. Most cars that had that issue did it from the start or very early on. Also, the TSB on it said it lasts about 30 seconds... Mine would do it for 3 1/2 minutes. Once again the dealership failed to support so I traded it in and got a 2004 GTO. The GTO is much more comfortable. I might be keeping this one!

Cory <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Come on, man. They have search engines to give you the website or go to LS1tech and click on their advertisement I'll point you to the horsepower but won't do it all for you!