VMP Gen3 TVS Blower Is A ‘Warp-Drive’ Upgrade

For those wanting to make over 1,000 rear-wheel horsepower, the Gen 3 is like a warp drive for your car or truck. — Justin Starkey, VMP Performance

From boosting Mustangs to over 800 rear-wheel horsepower to propelling them to 8-second e.t.’s, VMP Performance’s series of 2.3-liter TVS superchargers proved highly effective. Its only real limit was its modest size, which meant it could only move so much air. For those who need even more performance, VMP developed the Gen3, which is based on Eaton’s latest R2650 TVS rotor pack.

“At VMP we are always looking for ways to make more power,” Justin Starkey of VMP explained. “With the introduction of Eaton’s new 2650 rotor pack, it was only natural for us to design a new blower around Eaton’s latest offering.”

And design one they did. Taking what they learned over years in developing the TVS supercharger into a more efficient unit, VMP built a version of the 2.65-liter supercharger that is designed to feed those new rotors with plenty of power-creating airflow.

Looking for four-digit performance from a TVS supercharger, VMP Performance’s new 2.65-liter Gen3 TVS supercharger is built for big flow, efficiency, and power.

“The Gen2 was monumental for us, and for the industry, with its integrated elbow design, it supported as much as 60 more rear wheel horsepower than the Gen 1s,” Justin enthused. “For those wanting to make over 1,000 rear-wheel horsepower, the Gen 3 is like a warp drive for your car or truck.”

More than just larger version of its 2300 cousin, the 2650 is not only 15 percent larger, but it features a 170-degree rotor twist to its four-lobe rotors compared with the 160-degree version in the smaller TVS.

This new design is going to create huge horsepower in the performance aftermarket arena. — Brian Contat, Eaton

“We took the proven TVS technology with its broad operating efficiencies and created a larger design with the R2650 in order to generate more airflow in the upper RPM range without compromising low to mid-range performance,” Product Director, Boosting, Eaton Vehicle Group, Brian Contat said when the larger rotor pack was introduced. “Our aftermarket distributors now have a very dynamic product that will allow them to deliver outstanding performance for the street and track. We can’t wait to see what they will do with this innovative rotating assembly. This new design is going to create huge horsepower in the performance aftermarket arena.”

Using Eaton’s new R2650 rotor pack as its foundation, VMP designed a high-flow case built to flow even more than its vaunted Gen2R case. These CAD drawings show the differences between the two blower cases.

While Eaton builds its own superchargers, the company also offers the rotor packs to a variety of companies — both OEM and aftermarket. As one of those customers, VMP takes on the challenge to build what it views as the best housing to maximize the efficacy of those rotors. To assist in that endeavor, VMP partnered with fellow TVS experts, Roush Performance, to co-develop the Gen3.

“Eaton gives us the rotors, but it’s up to us to design the housing they sit in,” Justin explained. “First and foremost, we design the housing to fit the application, things like packaging to clear the stock hood, and backward compatibility for vehicles that had a Gen1, 2 or 2R on them. Next after fitment, we design for maximum horsepower and reliability. The Gen3 gets an all-new throttle body mounting flange and two new throttle body options, for more airflow.”

According to Eaton, the R2650 rotor pack is 4 percent more efficient and requires 18 percent less power to drive the unit, but the big news is obviously a lot more airflow due to the increased displacement of the unit when compared with its 2300-series predecessor.

“The new rotors support 25 percent more airflow compared to the outgoing model,” Justin said. “There is a higher twist, and they are more thermally efficient across a wider range. This translates into ‘better’ boost, less parasitics to drive the blower, cooler air, and more rear-wheel horsepower.”

Moreover, the design of the 2650 facilitates the same sort of area under the curve as its smaller TVS forbearer, but with a much higher flow potential.

To ensure that larger Eaton rotorpack is fed with ample airflow, VMP designed a massive rear inlet designed to accept VMP’s new monoblade throttle bodies.

“There is something really, really cool with the new rotors,” Justin said. “The symmetrical rotor design of TVS technology allows for a much higher RPM ceiling. We are able to spin the new 2650 just as fast as the old 2300.”

Competing twin-screw superchargers use an asymmetrical rotor-pack, there is an inverse relationship between displacement and RPM — the larger they are, the lower the RPM ceiling,” he elaborated. “Simply put, the larger-displacement, asymmetrical twin-screw rotor-packs do not have the RPM potential of the symmetrical TVS design.”

To feed this beast, VMP developed a massive new throttle body for race applications. This is crucial, as positive displacement superchargers flourish with less inlet restriction. The choice between a large and a huge throttle body simply comes down to your vehicle’s intended use.

The potential of the new rotors is just insane… — Justin Starkey, VMP Performance

“The potential of the new rotors is just insane, and we did not want to be limited by the throttle body,” Justin said. “The new 173mm monoblade is a straight-up race throttle body. The 160mm monoblade is a street/strip throttle body.”

So, VMP has really taken everything into consideration with the development of its Gen3 TVS supercharger. The company even plans to offer a 10-rib belt drive to ensure slip-free performance in all-out applications. Initially these superchargers will be available as upgrades for existing TVS applications, and as part of complete supercharger upgrade kits.

VMP will offer the Gen3 TVS supercharger with 160mm throttle bodies for street/strip applications or 173mm units for all-out race applications.

“The unit will be available as a head unit upgrade for GT500 and 5.0-liter,” Justin said. “If your Coyote is not currently supercharged, VMP will offer complete kits with the Gen3. The Gen3 will most definitely find its way into the current VMP Stage 3 kit for ’11-’17 5.0-liter.”

However, don’t sweat it Terminator fans. VMP has not forgotten about the ’03-’04 Cobra crowd. The company is currently exploring a Gen3 option for that platform as well. For now, however, expect to see the VMP Gen3 TVS head-unit upgrade for Coyotes and GT500s hit the market in March of 2018 starting at $3,999. For more on the VMP TVS blowers, check out the company’s official site here.

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Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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