KB vs centrifugal vs turbo

[94mustangcobra]

i'm not looking for horsepower vs numbers, any of these would give me a minimum of 100+ horsepower. what i am looking for is the most cost effective. i think KB has the cheapest setup and probably easiest install but somebody told me that i can't put more than 6 psi on pump gas due to there being no intercooler, i like procharger except for the fact that i have to do a battery relocation and the air filter blocks the access to the spark plugs (not really a big deal), vortech has a nice system due to the fact that it sits on the passenger side of the car but with an aftercooler i'd say it really blocks the plugs and turbos have a lot of hidden costs that my buddy with a twin turbo 04 just found out. his kit was even an HP kit and he had to keep sending stuff back and it still didn't come with everything he needed. i guess what i'm asking is what is the most cost effective supercharger/turbocharger for my daily driven street car? oh and another twist is that my goal is to have 500 rwhp, wich it might take a h/c/i combo to achieve that

 

[donkey_punch]

throw a nice set of heads on the 347 you already have cam it, and throw a bigger hit of nitrous and you should be over the 500 mark. the easiest way to hit your goal on a daily driver.

 

[The O.G.]

a used s trim would be the cheapest i think/and plentiful if u need to replace a head unit

kb have no intercooler,lack of intake choices and i have heard they produce some serious heat,
i guess you could use meth put you are now adding cost ,hassle etc


turbos arent 50 state legal?
seem to be expensive,lots of fabbing,etc ..i dont know how crafty you are with tools

 

[Black95GTS]

A used vortech kit will get you to 500 the cheapest in my opinion.

If you have the welding / fab skills then a junkyard turbo kit would get you there as well.

Adam

 

[Pokageek]

I have heard of several people having serious internal engine failures with the KB unfortunately. I would shy away from them without beefed internals OR an intercooler.

 

[str8stang036]

In my opinion I believe a Vortech S-trim may be the cheapest route. I went twin turbo. I fabricated the whole kit myself, except for headers. It saves a lot of money if you are able to do it. I have heard of people doing single turbo setups for 1k or less.

 

[bentley429]

Turbo. End of story, I have about $2200 into my kit and everything was brand new using a 72mm turbonetics turbo. This was also using a $900 pony down hot side, but you can make a hot side very easy wish thats what I did to start with. I had a S trim worked fine. The turbo made 25rwhp and 100 ft/lbs more then the s trim with a much milder tune, that was at a pull that stopped at 5k while I am comparing to the vortech that pulled to 6k. Sure you can buy a used s trim setup for $1400 or something. You can also send it back to vortech right after you get it because its junk and be out even more money(found out the hard way). Its also very possible to make 450 rwhp with a turbo and a stock longblock. Don't listen to the turbo mustangs don't run bs either.

 

[tstang21]

^^^ i agree. a turbo will net more power and boost compared to any S/C. but for the price or budget, a vortec would be better. just 7psi on your setup, youll net 500rwhp much effectively on a nice size turbo.

 

[millhouse]

^^^ i agree. a turbo will net more power and boost compared to any S/C. but for the price or budget, a vortec would be better. just 7psi on your setup, youll net 500rwhp much effectively on a nice size turbo.

Keep in mind that your typical 5.0 turbo kit often includes things that are not offered on low (and high) end supercharger kits….the most noticeable being an intercooler (and all related hardware to hook it up). Keep in mind too that if you pick up a supercharger, you’ll need to pick up a set of good flowing headers….which incidentally is also included in your typical turbo kit. When you compare costs….a decent kit for the 94-95 5.0 mustang can be had for under $3000 (you can get much better pricing during sales or group buys) while the lowest of low superchargers are going to be over $2k. Again when you factor in the differences between the two…and what’s included, turbo’s are really not much more (if any) than a mild supercharger.

 

[ProKiller]

do it right the first time. i have a vortech now and sure it makes good power and is fun, but if i was going to do it all over again, i would go turbo.

 

[Pokageek]

I would have to agree with everyone here pretty much. A turbo is incredible power and it has an intercooler which saves your eng from heatsoak and potential detonation. Also. - NO drag on the crank... sheesh ... why didn't I do this ?? LOL!!

 

[donkey_punch]

Keep in mind that your typical 5.0 turbo kit often includes things that are not offered on low (and high) end supercharger kits….the most noticeable being an intercooler (and all related hardware to hook it up). Keep in mind too that if you pick up a supercharger, you’ll need to pick up a set of good flowing headers….which incidentally is also included in your typical turbo kit. When you compare costs….a decent kit for the 94-95 5.0 mustang can be had for under $3000 (you can get much better pricing during sales or group buys) while the lowest of low superchargers are going to be over $2k. Again when you factor in the differences between the two…and what’s included, turbo’s are really not much more (if any) than a mild supercharger.

i don't know about a turbo kit being under 3000, i own an HP turbokit and it was more than 3000. much more.

but the kits you can delete items if you already have them. so if you have a 255 pump and 42* injectors you can take that off price. if you don't want the manual boost control or don't want the elctronic one they offer take that off. ect...

you'll also have to consider if you are going to install it or are you goingt to pay someone to do. cause when i shopped around they wanted to either charge by the hour, which i know would of ended up in the 2K range quick. cause by the hour they're going to take their time since they're not going to lose money if they get hung up on something. only one person gave me a quote of 1200 if everything goes smooth and without suppling any little things of it needs.
but they only charge 500 for a supercharger install.

the install of a blower will be less and more than likely you'll feel more comfortable do yourself if need be. the turbo will cost more, install will cost more and seeing 2 big rubbermaids filled along with about 4 boxes will get you second guess on installing it yourself. hell it stopped me for over 3 and half years

so one of the supercharges i think fits what you posted best. less cost, less and easier install, and you should get your 100 horse

 

[tstang21]

superchargers are way so easy to install. on a good day with 2 people, 6 pack and good weather, your enjoying the good life.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

do it right the first time.

I wouldn't say there was any real "right" or "wrong" way about it.

It's all dependant on what you're willing to spend, where you want to see the majority of your power, how involved in the process you want to get and what your automotive capabilities are.

 

[str8stang036]

If you buy a turbo kit from a company of course its going to cost you an arm and a leg. Go to turbomustangs.com and learn about DIY turbo set ups. If you are able to get a welding machine, which doesn't have to be the best machine ever built, then you can enjoy making your own one of a kind setup. Now if your car is a daily driver, then I would strongly consder the DIY route, and having your car down for a few days, if not weeks.

 

[millhouse]

i don't know about a turbo kit being under 3000, i own an HP turbokit and it was more than 3000. much more.

but the kits you can delete items if you already have them. so if you have a 255 pump and 42* injectors you can take that off price. if you don't want the manual boost control or don't want the elctronic one they offer take that off. ect...

you'll also have to consider if you are going to install it or are you goingt to pay someone to do. cause when i shopped around they wanted to either charge by the hour, which i know would of ended up in the 2K range quick. cause by the hour they're going to take their time since they're not going to lose money if they get hung up on something. only one person gave me a quote of 1200 if everything goes smooth and without suppling any little things of it needs.
but they only charge 500 for a supercharger install.

the install of a blower will be less and more than likely you'll feel more comfortable do yourself if need be. the turbo will cost more, install will cost more and seeing 2 big rubbermaids filled along with about 4 boxes will get you second guess on installing it yourself. hell it stopped me for over 3 and half years

so one of the supercharges i think fits what you posted best. less cost, less and easier install, and you should get your 100 horse

B&G STAGE 1 94-95 [94-95 FULLKIT STAGE 1] - $2,950.00 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

While the sn95 lists for a hair under $3000, the fox kit lists for $2750…and I have seen both on super sales for as low as $2400.

It includes everything but the injectors, maf, fuel pump & tune. Keep in mind that none of the base supercharger kits include these either….and they won’t include headers, intercooler or a nice BOV.

As far as the install goes…if you can replace a intake gasket, there is no reason you can put on a turbo kit on yourself during a weekend.

 

[Pokageek]

..wow..

 

[ProKiller]

I wouldn't say there was any real "right" or "wrong" way about it.

It's all dependant on what you're willing to spend, where you want to see the majority of your power, how involved in the process you want to get and what your automotive capabilities are.

i was implying don't skimp on your goal by getting something cheaper. just because you can afford a used vortech kit now, save up a bit more cash and buy the turbo if thats what he really wants.

 

[donkey_punch]

B&G STAGE 1 94-95 [94-95 FULLKIT STAGE 1] - $2,950.00 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

While the sn95 lists for a hair under $3000, the fox kit lists for $2750…and I have seen both on super sales for as low as $2400.

It includes everything but the injectors, maf, fuel pump & tune. Keep in mind that none of the base supercharger kits include these either….and they won’t include headers, intercooler or a nice BOV.

As far as the install goes…if you can replace a intake gasket, there is no reason you can put on a turbo kit on yourself during a weekend.

but he will still need to upgrade the injector, maf, fuel pump, and get a tune. they saynoting of a boost controller, and every option on the drop down menue for the turbo you have to add more money. so to complete the kit he's still going to spend more than the 3000. plus the hot side is not even jet-hot coated. you run that kit on a daily driver and anything that can be damage by heat will be.

don't get me wrong, i don't want to sound like that B&G kit is no good. there's plenty of cars running there kits and are more than happy with them. but IMO thats all good for a weeked cruiser or a car thats taken out mostly to got to the track. but running a kit thats not jet hot coated everyday, getting into traffic ect....
unless he going to drive a stripped down, bare bones race car everyday i'm not too sure that kit fits his goals. i couold be worng

and i have to excuse myself for the way i came off with the i don't think you can get it for 3000. i'm was using my experience of pricing kits when i bought mine 4 years ago. i know there's a lot more compains to choose from then before, i'm just not current with the pricing.

but how ever you look at it, that's not a 100% complete road worthy kit. there's still other things you need to buy to run it on a daily driver. so the cost vs a blower setup is still more.

Thanks
Joe

 

[millhouse]

but he will still need to upgrade the injector, maf, fuel pump, and get a tune. they saynoting of a boost controller, and every option on the drop down menue for the turbo you have to add more money. so to complete the kit he's still going to spend more than the 3000. plus the hot side is not even jet-hot coated. you run that kit on a daily driver and anything that can be damage by heat will be.

don't get me wrong, i don't want to sound like that B&G kit is no good. there's plenty of cars running there kits and are more than happy with them. but IMO thats all good for a weeked cruiser or a car thats taken out mostly to got to the track. but running a kit thats not jet hot coated everyday, getting into traffic ect....
unless he going to drive a stripped down, bare bones race car everyday i'm not too sure that kit fits his goals. i couold be worng

and i have to excuse myself for the way i came off with the i don't think you can get it for 3000. i'm was using my experience of pricing kits when i bought mine 4 years ago. i know there's a lot more compains to choose from then before, i'm just not current with the pricing.

but how ever you look at it, that's not a 100% complete road worthy kit. there's still other things you need to buy to run it on a daily driver. so the cost vs a blower setup is still more.

Thanks
Joe

There are plenty of guys running those b&g turbo kit's on their daily drivers with no issues whatsoever. I'm not sure when jet-hot coating became a necessity rather than luxury....but the coating that they come with works just fine. I daily drove mine (I only have their headers) and they still are holding up great!

As far as a boost controller goes....you can fab one up for less than $12 worth of parts from the hardware store that will push a stock longblock into splitting territory. This is all without having to upgrade any options. In other words, the kit as is is more than capable of pushing a stock longblock into splitting territory without any upgrades.

As far as the injector, fuel pump, maf & tune goes I already mentioned the need to upgrade. It's still typically far cheaper to upgrade yourself however than to purchase with the kits....as there seem to be much better deals on those components. Again though...they too are needed for supercharger kits, as most dont include them.

Still, find me a supercharger kit that comes with 42lb injectors & matching meter, intercooler & all associated hardware, headers etc. and I'll find you a comparably priced turbo kit.

The prices of turbo kit's have come down a loooong way in the past few years....and as previously stated, if you price out all the extras needed with the supercharger to comepete...you'll find the costs between the two to be quite comparable.