Hey S/C guys...I need someone to compare their setup with mine and help me out with some questions.
This is my first S/C install, and it's been a blast, but I'm kinda tweaking over a few things, and want to make sure I have this straight. The instructions left something to be desired in the way of clarity IMO, but I might be reading into them too much. I'll call Vortech if I have to, but I think it would be easier this way since I have pics that you guys can look at, and I know someone out there has this setup too.
This is a V1 kit, installed on a 1999 GT.
In the pics, the supercharger pulley is labeled as #1, and the idler pulley is labeled #2. One pic is from the front, and the other is from the rear. I removed my stock idler pulley (smooth), and placed it on the supercharger bracket. I used the Vortech supplied (ribbed pulley) in the place of the stock idler pulley. The directions were unclear about this, but it seems to be the only way to fit everything together.
Here's my issue with this.
1) Look at the clearance between pulleys #1 and #2. There isn't much, and it looks like the belt is sandwiched in between them. I guessed this was to help against belt slippage...I dunno.
2) The Vortech supplied ribbed pulley seems odd to me. It seems like I would want a smooth pulley there since it's running against the outside (flat portion) of the belt. It's visible in the second picture below pulley's 1 and 2, and it's labeled "WTF?"
3) My belt tensioner is damn close to being maxed out, I don't have any underdrive pulleys or anything crazy. Stock pulleys + the one Vortech supplied me with.
I double checked the parts list in the instruction. Sure enough, it says that the 1999 kit supplies a ribbed pulley, but it kinda seems like that would adversely impact the life expectancy of my belt.
So...if anyone could go look at their setup and confirm or deny that I'm not completely backwards on my install, I'd appreciate it.
The last pic is so we can admire the curvaceous beauty of a S/C.
Thanks in advance for your time.
-SillyRabbit
__________________
'99 GT - My increasingly expensive DIY project car... Vortech V1, Moser 31-spline axles, FRPP diff. w/ 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, Shany Custom pipes, JBA shorty headers, Powerslot rotors, Tokico D-specs, H&R Sport Springs, Steeda Strut Brace, MM X-duty Lower Control Arms, Autometer Phantom Boost and Wideband AFR guage, Custom Rear seat delete, Royal Purple, NGK, BFG
The first pic looks like my setup, however the charger pulley is a bit closer to the idler then mine, looks like your charger pulley is bigger, what size do you have? Mine came with a 3.6 and I dont think it was that close, but it was very close.
The second pic doesnt look like mine, the ribbed idler I dont get?????? Seems like that will wear the belt out quickly.
Is your belt tensioner maxed out as in the belt is a little long or too short?? I would add or drop 1/2" to adjust a little.
__________________
98 GT, Vortech T Trim with Power cooler, AFM Powerpipe, PI intake, Trickflow Plenum and TB, 90mm MAF, 255 Fuely 42lb shooters. Longtubes, H and Super 44s, Suspension and connectors, Driveshaft and gears, Spec flywheel and Clutch, Cobra brake swap. Steeda, MM and UPR stuffed in there too.
maybe they sent you the wrong kit? i checked this out cuz i dont have a supercharger YET, but i want one and i wanna put it on myself...
but just being ur average backyard mechanic i can tell ya that the idler def. aint right...
as for the rest of em, i would imagine that YES, they can shove 5 lbs of crap in a 10lb sack, (i do that everyday designin submarines) as long as the pulleys arent PHYSICALLY touching, the belt SHOULD be fine... but that ribbed idler... i dun like it... and is ur tensioner fully maxed out meaning its not fully tight on the belt spun all the way in resting position, or is it maxed out in full resting position but still putting sufficient tension on the belt??
i used a serpentine belt and a winch to crane my challenger lift into place in my garage... they can hold a LOT but slowly tearing them, WILL destroy them so make sure they arent tearing rib by rib...
__________________
"Its not about what you can BUY, its about what you can build" anyone can buy a really cool car, but u dont ever get the satisfaction from it as you would building it yourself 1994 Mustang GT 5.0/T5 Sold 1998 Mustang GT 4.6/T45 *soon 5.4 S/C* Flows cat-back, CAI, Ford Racing 3.73 gears, Torsen Diff, short throw shifter
i wouldnt worry about the pulleys being too close. as long as they aren't touching you'll be fine. my procharger setup has them pretty close too.
if i were you i would call up vortech asap and talk to a tech about that ribbed idler. it doesn't seem right at all.
__________________
Procharged 2002 Mustang GT 5 Speed 351rwhp 353rwtq at 10psi
Next summer looking to go with:
Bilstien shocks + struts, Lowering springs (brand still TBD (any suggestions?)), MM CC plates, front + rear sway bars, subframes, and upper and lower control arms.
Time to make the pony ride some rails
I looked at mine today and the pulley is closer to the idler, I imagine it was real close with the bigger pulley that I had swapped for a smaller one.
The ribbed pulley is not there though, they sent you the wrong pulley.
__________________
98 GT, Vortech T Trim with Power cooler, AFM Powerpipe, PI intake, Trickflow Plenum and TB, 90mm MAF, 255 Fuely 42lb shooters. Longtubes, H and Super 44s, Suspension and connectors, Driveshaft and gears, Spec flywheel and Clutch, Cobra brake swap. Steeda, MM and UPR stuffed in there too.
Yeah, I don't have a Vortech, but a kenne bell:I had to change the pulley on my alternator to a slightly smaller one for clearance, also you reroute the belt as well for kb, so didn't Vortech send a diagram of how to route the belt? It's either misrouted or the ribbed pulley needs changing to smooth...easy enough.
__________________
"Goose, Hollywood's fine, I want Viper"
1995 Mustang GT Cnv 347(427 stroker being built!) almost done!
1996 Cobra with Kenne Bell 2.1 Supercharger and every other conceivable part you can bolt on it...650hp upgrade in the works
2003 Infiniti M45 V8 340 hp...a methadone treatment for reformed Mustang drivers
The belt is routed correctly. By the tensioner being "maxed out" I mean that the spring loaded tensioner is almost fully extended... not quite all the way, but pretty close.
I called Vortech, they have my ECM for recalibration and are sending a smooth pulley when they ship it back. Yeah, I didn't think that ribbed pulley looked ok either. Perhaps when I get the correct pulley in there, it will ease up the tension on the belt a bit too.
Thanks for your replies...
Sillyrabbit
__________________
'99 GT - My increasingly expensive DIY project car... Vortech V1, Moser 31-spline axles, FRPP diff. w/ 4.10 gears, Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter, Shany Custom pipes, JBA shorty headers, Powerslot rotors, Tokico D-specs, H&R Sport Springs, Steeda Strut Brace, MM X-duty Lower Control Arms, Autometer Phantom Boost and Wideband AFR guage, Custom Rear seat delete, Royal Purple, NGK, BFG
Vortech Install Question, 1999 GT, w/ pics 
