hmm...been thinking (uh-oh) - h/c/i instead of blower??

[jaymac]

Been doing reading and thinking before I blow a few g's... What i really want is a reliable, sturdy, daily driver combo without too much hassle or maintainance (i know, I know). What about a Systemax II or performer RPM package instead of a Procharger. Keep in mind I never have been and never may be at the strip, just like to cruise (and screw every once in a while). For those of you hat don't know, it's a 100,000 mile stock 88. I've already decided to have the engine rebuilt no matter WHAT I do, so at this point, would a pre-packed h/c/i/ give me better reliability, streetability and low-end torque (AOD) than a s/c w/o any other mods?
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
jeremy

 

[mackey]

Any of them with a good tune will get you street reliability. A blower may be more streetable out of the box if you don't turn up the boost to much. Most HCI's require tuning unless you use a very suttle cam.

 

[jaymac]

after a little more research, I think the Edelbrock Performer (not RPM) would better suit me, as it's powerband is idle-5500, the RPM 1500-6500. I want power from idle...

 

[jaymac]

wow, I'm really indecisive...just sitting here thinking...what about when I'm just cruising @35-40 mph and I got this Honda all over my ass and I just want to shove it through the floor and break out? At that point I WOULD need the higher powerband (RPM package)... but on the same token, I wouldn't really run it past 5500, so the PERFORMER package would kinda fit best of both worlds, no?
I also read in an MM&FF review that the RPM package really only prevails over the Performer above 5000 rpm... that doesn't sound like what I need...
hmmm....
what does everybody else think?



I think I think too much

Well, at least I'm doing it BEFORE i spend the money and not AFTER!!!

 

[Michael Yount]

If you want power from idle I'd go with a positive displacement blower - like a KB. They build boost at much lower rpm than the centrifugals - and they trade off a little on the top end - which is not an issue given your stated desires. Your drivability will be near stock (actually may be better) - with incredible pull in the 1500-4500 range. I've got a buddy here in town with a basically stock set up with a twin-screw; he makes nearly 400 ft-lb of torque at something like 1900 rpm. Yikes - talk about drivability. You can't even come close to the flexibility/drivability/power at lower rpm with 302 cubes and a h/c/i combo as you will with a positive displacement blower. And the way you're talking about using the car, you shouldn't have any significant reliability worries assuming you check out what you're starting with and everything is sound. Unless you're really, really careful with a h/c/i combo, it's real easy to lose bottom end as the power peak increases and the point at which the power is made goes up in the range. Based on what you said you wanted, I'm with mackey - I think you'll be happier with boost - specifically positive displacement, not centrifugal.

 

[jaymac]

that was my initial thought awhile ago, the KB, but the reason I won't do it is budget. The extra $2000 just isn't feasible for me, so it would be between a centifugal or a h/c/i combo... so between the two, which one do you think?
BTW, thanks for the input

 

[Michael Yount]

Based on what you said you want, I'd still go with boost....

 

[jaymac]

can't afford the screw type, don't really want to tap the oil pan, and can't afford the self-contained units...I don't know, it's still up in the air..... I'm really torn....

 

[N8Miller]

I say build a nice foundation first. That way, you wont have to rip the motor apart again, just add some boost and be done with it.

 

[Michael Yount]

OK jaymac - it's time for tough love; you seem to want to "have your cake and eat it too". We all do - no surprise there. If you know you don't want to tap the pan (Can't understand why that's a problem - not that difficult), and you know you can't afford the other units, then there's nothing to be torn about. Go with an h/c/i combo. Just know that it's probably not gonna be the best way to reach the goals that you laid out above. Sounds like you want what you want without any work, risk or downside - well, that doesn't exist.

By the way, even with the oil pan tap, I'd say a supercharger install is easier/less involved than an h/c/i install - head gaskets, lots of stuff to torque, piston to valve clearance to measure, cams to degree, etc. I'd be more concerned about that stuff than tapping the pan. I'd say either h/c/i or boost has an equal likelihood of requiring patience and resources to get the tune correct.

 

[jaymac]

I know, I know... either way the block's coming apart to get rebuilt to prepare it for whatever I decide on. Here's the other thing to consider. I used to do all my own work on my cars when I lived w/ my Mom, but now I don't have access to my own garage, tools, or buddies, so all of this work will be done by someone else (sucks, I know), so I personally don't care about tapping the pan or indexing the cam, as I won't be doing it myself, I guess I was just looking to seewhich combo's would offer more streetability, long-term reliability and driveability given that either will start with a freshly-rebuilt engine, given that it's and AOD, non-strip daily driver that NEVER sees 5500 rpm....
Thanks for the tough love, though... I've learned the hard way that there are no qucik fixes or easy solutions, in Mustangs OR in life!
- jeremy

 

[Michael Yount]

"I guess I was just looking to seewhich combo's would offer more streetability, long-term reliability and driveability given that either will start with a freshly-rebuilt engine, given that it's and AOD, non-strip daily driver that NEVER sees 5500 rpm...."

Still boost.... Good luck with whatever you decide -- the answer you're comfortable with is the only one that really matters.

 

[jaymac]

very well said... thanks for all your time, Mike!!!