TorqStorm’s co-founder Chris Brooker when asked his response when inquirers refer to his particular centrifugal supercharger as a ProCharger, “I admire what they have done,” he admits. “They’ve dominated the market so extensively that their trade name sometimes supplants the category name – but we’re constantly improving.” In those two sentences, perhaps, is the reason why Brooker and his relatively new supercharger company are progressively becoming such interesting rivals.
Here is their latest announcement: a new blow-off valve.
TorqStorm Superchargers has increased the size of their compressor blow-off valve from 38mm to 52mm. The new device was a logical step to ease the work load on the supercharger’s compressor wheel—a move precipitated partly because their existing 38mm unit was operating near full capacity and partly because the new 52mm successor offers better control of air.
Connected to the 3.0 inch intake tract, TorqStorm’s new blow-off valve features a spring-loaded piston inside the valve’s aluminum housing and a 1/4in nipple on its cap that delivers a source of vacuum. Made of silicon bronze, the piston is closed by the power of the spring and opened by the power of 18psi of vacuum. The effect of the vacuum compresses the spring, allowing the piston to draw away from its seat, thus releasing unwanted boost pressure to the atmosphere through three elongated windows on the valve’s housing. Whoooosh!
Now supplied with all new kits, TorqStorm’s compressor blow-off valve measures 2-3/4inches in diameter and 4-5/8in long and is made entirely at their Michigan premises. For BOV upgrades, price including aluminum nipple for mounting to a tube $200.00.
More information on how the compressor blow-off valve functions?
When the engine is idling and its vacuum is high, the blow-off valve opens. But at full throttle when the engine is under load and vacuum is reduced to zero, it closes and the engine builds boost. Significantly, when the throttle pedal is abruptly released on a running engine the waves of boost pressure traveling within the large-bore delivery tube toward the plenum slam into the closed throttle plate, resulting in an instant reversal of direction toward the compressor wheel. Undoubtedly, this would be harmful to the wheel’s function: slowing it—stalling it even, potentially damaging the wheel, its shaft and bearings. Boost reversal can also interfere with the supercharger’s response as the compressor wheel loses momentum. Conveniently, the insertion of a compressor blow-off valve prevents the surge from entering the compressor, venting it to atmosphere when the throttle pedal is abruptly released.
For more information contact:
TorqStorm Superchargers
3001 Madison SE, Wyoming, MI 49548
Telephone (616) 706-5580 or visit www.TorqStorm.com or email sales@TorqStorm.com
I got my supercharger in May 2020. Did I receive this BOV or do I have 38mm?
Hello Robert, you have the larger BOV. We haven’t made the smaller one in several years.
I’ve just received my tuner kit for a 2010 Silverado but didn’t get the pipe to attach the BOV. Any reason? (Order received on September 17.) Thanks, Todd Owen, TN.
Hello Todd,
Your question was directed to me. Our tuner kits for the Silverado family include a blow-off valve weld nipple. If you did not receive a weld nipple in your package, let me know. As the charge-air plumbing is being run in your vehicle, you would weld the blow-off valve weld nipple to the tubing between the supercharger outlet and intercooler inlet. Alternatively, if you are not running an intercooler, the blow-off valve nipple would weld to the charge air plumbing, running to the throttle body. If running in this way, you must consider your MAF location and spacing with the blow-off valve.
With regard to our pre-made blow-off valve tube, we built that tube as the only piece of tubing for our carburetor-based systems. The carburetor-based system uses four clamps. In your EFI-based system, four clamps would be ideal. If you added the blow-off valve tube we sell, you will receive four clamps just for that piece. The goal is to minimize potential leak sources. Each clamp is potentially a leak opportunity. EFI-system owners have purchased our pre-made tube ($100 plus shipping) but it is against our advice.
Chris Beardsley
TorqStorm Superchargers
Office 616-226-9476
Mobile 616-706-5580