Supercharging a 5.0? Pros and cons.

[CManT1914]

Ok, I wanted to do the N/A setup, but thinking about it, it is gonna hurt my driveability since this is a daily driver. So, I decided to just slap a supercharger on it and be done with it. However, I know the 5.0s aren't the best motor to supercharge cus they weren't really designed for it. So, what are some of the downfalls to supercharging, and can I safely run 8-9 lbs. of boost on a daily driver? Don't try and talk me into doing the H/C/I setup, I'm past that. Just give me all the info you can on supercharging. Thanks - Chris

 

[Trigger]

I have a Kenne Bell 1500 on my 94 Cobra. It's a daily driver and the only problem I've had is a blown head gasket. It was a pain, but the mechanic said it was just a matter of time before it went anyway. Other than that, the car is as reliable as it ever was and it's got over 98K miles on it. I've got an 8lb pulley on it and the gauge reads 8lbs all the time. I don't think you'll have an issue at all. Plus, I gained almost 100 hp at the wheels, so I definitely think it was worth it.

 

[CManT1914]

Ok, I've been looking, and I've found the Vortech V-1 S-Trim full kit with fuel pump for $2499, and the V-2 SQ S-Trim with fuel pump for the same price. The V-2 SQ is just supposed to be quieter right? How do these prices sound? I was looking at a Powerdyne kit for $2299, but don't know much about them. Can somebody give me some info on these? Thanks again.

BTW: Trigger, 100 rwhp gains sure sounds nice.

 

[mooktank]

powerdyne isnt that great. But it is quiet. I like the paxton novi 1000 and 2000 for ****rifugal blowers. Vortech is good too.

 

[K.C.90gt]

i like procharger personally because the included intercooler, but vortech is a good brand too, i wouldnt worry about breaking the motor too much as long as you get a good tune. These motors can handle superchargers no problem. I run 12 lbs and i drive it almost everyday in the spring/summer/fall. I got mine used with MAF, Injectors, intercooler,gauge, and everything else for around 2K, I have not have a problem yet. If you can find a good deal than get used, as long as everything is cool.

 

[custom89stang]

the previous post is right, as long as you have your car dyno tuned after the supercharger u will be fine, i've seen a car run 14PSI of boost on a stock engine w/ of course the right fuel equipment, the guy makes 500lbs of torque, haha

 

[FrdMustangCpe]

14psi, guy makes 500lbs of torque, haha

not too shabby for a little force fed stocker. id love to hear what a ricer would have to say about that...

 

[CManT1914]

the previous post is right, as long as you have your car dyno tuned after the supercharger u will be fine, i've seen a car run 14PSI of boost on a stock engine w/ of course the right fuel equipment, the guy makes 500lbs of torque, haha

O........M..........G!!!!! lol

Cool, thanks for the info guys, keep it coming. Although I'm pretty sure I'll go with the Vortech since it's pretty cheap and it's a good unit. This of course is a little ways down the road, since I'm basically just starting to save some money for it. While I'm here, once I'm supercharged, running let's say 8 lbs of boost, I should be grabbing some low 13's right? That's of course with traction. Whatcha think?

 

[Psydwaze]

Do not buy a Powerdyne blower.

 

[Daggar]

I went a slightly different path than Trigger. I went ahead and spent the extra dough on the 2.2L Kenne Bell. My bottom end end is stock and I'm running 9lbs boost (currently) and you wouldn't believe the difference. Reason? I'm slowly building a 331. I won't be worrying about running out of blower any time soon and it's a simple conversion to the Flowzilla inlet manifold if that ever happens. The immediate effect of having the 2.2L unit over the 1.5L is that it's a bit more efficient and spins up to full boost at a lower RPM. You sound as if you're pretty set on a centrifugal. If you're building a track machine you're probably going in the best direction. You mentioned drivability. In that case, you may want to take a harder look at the KB. They advertise something like 18lbs max withthe KB. I've seen a couple reads about customer cars running as much as 24lbs of boost (on motors no where near stock with the Flowzilla/Blowzilla).

 

[alanw6]

I took the same route your planning on. I bought a 92 LX with 96K, bone stock. I put the V-2 sq s-trim on it two weeks later. The blower worked pretty well on the stock car, but has responded better since I added a bigger intank pump (255 lph), msd 6al, aeromotive afpr, and a full exhaust. I've got a 70mm throttle body and am getting a new MAF to add in the next few weeks.

My car isn't a daily driver, but could be. You shouldn't have any problems as long as aren't in the boost constantly. Just use a little restraint. I've put about 5k on the setup with no major issues.

BTW, the v-2 is the more quiet version, but you aren't going to sneak up on anyone with it. Plenty of people in gas stations, etc. walk up and ask if it's a turbo/supercharged. I love the sound..

 

[Kabuki_notch]

K.C.90gt wicked ride where did you find a procharger for that price im in the market for a SC and Procharger is top on my list next prolly a powerdyne.

 

[RydeOn]

I like everything about having a supercharger. The power is great. The reliablity is great. Daily drivability, great. There is one thing that sucks though. Gas milage goes down the toilet if you drive around town. I went from 15 mpg city down to 12 in the city! And this is driving like a grandma. Were talking I went from 210 miles a tank, to 150 miles a tank. Big difference. And you have to buy 91 octane gas along with it. Gas milage on the highway oddly goes up a few MPG from stock, though.

 

[Daggar]

I like everything about having a supercharger. The power is great. The reliablity is great. Daily drivability, great. There is one thing that sucks though. Gas milage goes down the toilet if you drive around town. I went from 15 mpg city down to 12 in the city! And this is driving like a grandma. Were talking I went from 210 miles a tank, to 150 miles a tank. Big difference. And you have to buy 91 octane gas along with it. Gas milage on the highway oddly goes up a few MPG from stock, though.

Amen brother

 

[K.C.90gt]

K.C.90gt wicked ride where did you find a procharger for that price im in the market for a SC and Procharger is top on my list next prolly a powerdyne.

Thanks! Around the time I was looking for a blower i was pretty set on procharger too and i just happened to come across it on Ebay, the seller just happened to live right by me so he took it off ebay and i just met up with him. It took a while but if you look around enough, i think eventually you can find a good deal. Just make sure to inspect the parts really good and use good judgement about how honest the seller is.

A side note to original post: I did the blower mod first with the stock motor and didn't bother to tune it very good and ended up popping a head gasket, after that I decided now was the perfect time to do H/C/I and a rebuild. So if you are going to be putting this on a stock motor with some miles, make sure its tuned good and i wouldn't recommend running more than 10 lbs of boost. Well good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[OutLawSE]

If you are stuck on the Boosted Stock motor,

Definately get the Vortech SQ S-Trim. The standard SC is very loud and gets annoying quick. 10 psi on the stock motor shouldn't be hard to achieve since the heads/intake are very restricting.

You need the following to compliment the blower :

Boost Retard Ignition system
SFI Balancer
I would go with at least 30lbs injectors on the stock 5.0.

OT:
But if you were to install just Heads/Intake on the stock shortblock with the stock cam, your driveability won't change yet you would have allot more power. Oh well....

Good Luck.

 

[CManT1914]

Well after reading the replies here, I've concluded that getting a used supercharger is a great idea too. So I'll keep my eye out and see if I can find some. I already told some of the Mustang guys around here to keep an eye out for me. So we'll see what pops up. When I do it, I won't be running more than 9 lbs. If you guys know of anybody that is wanting to sell one, or putting on on eBay in the future, not right now, but around jaunuary or february, PM me or something. Thanks again, later!