Kenne Bell vs. Mongoose Kit

DJsZincGT

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Aug 29, 2002
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I've been looking into each of these kits. I've heard a lot of good things from each kit but I'm more familiar with the Mongoose Kit. I have a couple questions concerning the Kenne Bell kit for an 01 GT. Is this a complete kit or are there other things that you have to buy to go along with it (besides a good tune)? Also, how versatile is this kit? Also what are the benefits to this type of blower as opposed to a centrifugal? Any help would be appreciated.
 
The KB kits are complete. Nothing else that you need to buy. Not even a tune-use theirs unless you want to risk your motor living on the edge. Pulley's are available from 6#-14#. Takes only a couple of minutes to change. Just be sure to support 10# and up with the required additional octane. Check out Kennebell.net for more tech info.
The biggest advantage of the KB over a centri is you always have the power available to you at any rpm, any gear. It is always fun. Feels like a big block. With a centri the fun doesn't really start on until about 3500 rpm's. Fun too you just have to climb higher into the rpm range.
Good luck with your decision.
 
i'm deciding between these two also. it's looking more and more like it's going to be the mongoose kit for me. why? kb's have lots of torque and i already have a traction problem stock. kb's tune has not worked out for everyone. two 9lb. intercooled kits i read about made ~363-368 rwhp. a guy with the 6lb. non-intercooled kit has to run 96 octane or higher to run 6lbs. without pinging - btw he still loves the kit. like everyone says the kb feels like a big block (the same as normal just bigger) while the vortech is explosive under boost. i think would like explosive better. last i just like the sound of the vortech better.

seriously if you do decide on going kb there are two tuners who can pull this off right for you kennedy's and t&j's.
 
Both are proven products with some isolated bad experiences.

My recommnedation would be to ride in an ROOTs blown and Centri motivated car. Advice over the internet is great but to seal the deal in most cases is the seat of the pants test.

Petition online here and other forums and see if someone nearby would volunteer a ride.

Eitherway good luck ... I think both are great choices. :nice:



Besides you may find more people interested in your custom stereo set-up than a supercharger. :D
 
B C said:
The KB kits are complete. Nothing else that you need to buy. Not even a tune-use theirs unless you want to risk your motor living on the edge.

I'm not sure but I don't think they will come with injectors, MAF, fuel pumps, spark plugs, and a decent tune. I spent $5,700 on my parts alone for the intercooled Novi kit, injectors, 03 Cobra fuel pumps, and fuel tank, powerpipe, and re-dyno tune all w/ no tax due to the purchases being made out of state. I already had my $350 MAF so just be ready a KB is definately the most expensive route out there so plan to spend much more than I did if you go that route. I installed everything in my sig myself. Personally I like to drive around w/o boost untill I ask for it. Saves gas, engine life, and gives me 3500 rpm worth of a chance for traction. However believe me when I want the boost it feels like it comes on immediate. Oh as of right now it's common knowledge that a good centri will make more boost than a KB will. Regardless you can feel the difference from 1000-3500 rpm w/ a centri anyway. It's not a measurable amount of boost, but the impellar is still turning at low rpms. Besides how long does it take you to get to 3,500 rpm in first anyways. After 1st gear at a WOT run when shifting up you never fall below a rpm you wont see boost at also. So it depends on what your needs are. I never floor my car in fifth, or any gear under 2K rpms anyway. Quick downshift, and your fanning the throttle, and fishtailing like mad in second :D and my car is tuned way down for now b/c I have 102Kmiles on the engine - Either way you go will be awesome. Personally I love the KB whine, but my Novi turns tons of heads too. It makes plenty of noise. Depending on what your RWHP goals are I'm sure either one can get you there but word of caution not all centris are as capable as others. 650 is easily atainable, and safe for me w/ a properly built engine. What is your final RWHP goal ?

Here's an excellent deal on a intercooled more upgraded type mongoose kit -
http://www.modularmustangs.net/showthread.php?t=4235
:nice:
 
Just to clear something up from a post above. With the KB you are not in boost unless you are in the throttle. Even though the screws are turning and always creating boost it has a bypass valve that operates via vacuum. The power is very linear and controllable with the position of the gas pedal. You are not always in boost.
The KB doesn't come with a MAF or spark plugs. They are not needed unless you are going for >400 rwhp. You have the option of upgrading to the Ford 90 mm LMAF and their CAI for $300. Also the kit comes with a boost-a-pump so you do not need a new fuel pump. There tune is good. I wouldn't mess with it on a stock application.
 
XStanger said:
Do the KB's require a tap in the oil pan like the centrifugal blowers?
dunno regardless there's nothing to it.
B C said:
Just to clear something up from a post above. With the KB you are not in boost unless you are in the throttle. Even though the screws are turning and always creating boost it has a bypass valve that operates via vacuum.
yeah pretty much the same w/ the centri, but I also like little n/a acelleration up to 3,500K w/o boost w/ a good amount throttle sometimes. I only hammer into boost when there's a good reason to. But again I have high mileage so I try to be easy on my engine.

B C said:
The power is very linear and controllable with the position of the gas pedal. You are not always in boost.
The KB doesn't come with a MAF or spark plugs. They are not needed unless you are going for >400 rwhp. You have the option of upgrading to the Ford 90 mm LMAF and their CAI for $300. Also the kit comes with a boost-a-pump so you do not need a new fuel pump. There tune is good. I wouldn't mess on a stock application.
my only thing is most will want far more than 400 RWHP other wise why not just get an inexpensive procharger kit and be done w/~400 RWHP. I guess it really depends on what he wants to do. Why spend all the extra $$ for a KB for 400 RWHP when a much, much less expensive intercooled procharger kit would do. Why waste the $$ ? If he wants to shoot far beyond 400RWHP he need quite a few more upgraded parts. What injectors to the KB's come w/ ?

Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking the KB. If I had my choice of rides, I'd have a KB'd '03 Cobra w ~ 700 RWHP. Jus t pointing out some differences, and choices depending on what he wants to do. My Novi will make plenty of boost for my 650 RWHP goal. :)

Just seems like lately everyone immediately says "get a KB !" now days w/o knowing the thread starters needs, and amount of $$ he's capable, willing to put into the project.
 
First off, I like both kits so I give a vote for both of them. The customer service from both companies is excellent. KB is not satisfied until you are and I know that Tim is the same way. With the KB, you do not go into boost unless you want to. I bought the 9# kit with CAI, MAF, TB and I believe my final tally was somewhere around $6,100. You can use the stock inlet system and save yourself about $800 but I chose to upgrade. Either way you go, you won't be disappointed with a mongoose or a KB. :nice:
 
About the tune:

KB has great customer service. If there is a problem with the tune not providing good power and safely with no detonation on 91 octane like advertised i've not seen ONE customer not be taken care of it this respect. The above mentioned customers need to contact KB and tell them i need a new chip thats tuned properly and thats that.

A chip tune is a touchy thing to get right considering there are so many people in different altitudes, use different octane, drive differently, and have much much different surface air temperatures and humidity levels.

If your concerned about the tune, buy the kenne bell kit from T&J and have them tune it. Tim says he has found the proper tuning for a safe KB setup. Looks like the best of both worlds to me.

kirkyg
 
MT1083 said:
I bought the 9# kit with CAI, MAF, TB and I believe my final tally was somewhere around $6,100. You can use the stock inlet system and save yourself about $800 but I chose to upgrade.

wow I'm surprised that's all it cost. Canyou break down your individual parts cost ? What wil you have to upgrade to make more power ?

I'll do the same
$350 Pro-M 77 MAF- good to about 700 RWHP
$330 42# injectors- will have to sell,and upgrade to 55's get to my 650 goal
$700 03 Cobra fuel tank, and pumps-, may need a BAP to make my goal
$4,200 Intercooeld Novi 2K kit- will need a smaller pully
$250 Anderson Ford Motorsports Powerpipe
$20 new plugs

=$5,850 for parts only

with a smaller pulley I could make a ton more power as is.
with a built engine, and even smaller pulley, and the above upgrades I'm looking for 650-700 RWHP w/ head work, and blower cams also which any engine would also require to make that much power w/ any power adder.
 
is a 650rwhp GT street application even possible? How much boost could you run on KB or Centrifugal blower if you the highest octane you had access to is 93?

Is Michael Kidd running 93 octane gasoline? Did he make 663 horses on race fuel?
 
dunno but it's common knowledge the current KB's will not produce the boost a centrifigual can. Oh and yes 650 easy. More is very / easily possible. Ya just have to know when to say when. I mean my car is already pretty damn fast ! Kidd is who I'm somewhat going to copy his previous mods.

No race fuel. He's like me, (or vice versa :) )and wants to be able to drive his car 1,000 miles if he wants to, and be very streetable.
 
Sorry to hijack, but i have a question about the intercooled novi kit. Do you think you could safely run without an intercooler, im from SC, so it gets pretty hot and im guessing that would just be good insurance. I used to want the kb, but im thinking that the extra 3500 rpm's of traction sounds appealing. Thanks for any other input. Oh and I dont think you could go wrong with either kit. From what ive read, both dealers are GREAT to work with. Just depends on what you are looking for like previous posters have mentioned.
 
I think both kits are pretty complete and T&j and Kenne both seem to offer excellent customer support. If I were to get a centri I would only go the T&J route the kit is so complete and they guy always seems willing to give after sale service. Its also cheaper than buying the parts yourself.

Kenne bell also seems to be rather helpful. I love riding in a Kenne bell car around town. It will be my next upgrade for my cobra when I get the $$.

Both kits make great power, both have great service it seems, it comes down to money, ease of install, and looks.

I have always liked the looks of the kenne bell kits. The install is very clean to me and doesnt clutter up the engine bay. Ir reminds me a bi of the GMC roots style blowers you see on hot rods. (guys with a centri dont get all pissy its just my opinion)
 
68 & 00 GT said:
dunno but it's common knowledge the current KB's will not produce the boost a centrifigual can.


Dan_Soprano said:
Oh really, and why's that? Not trying to flame here, but where are you getting your sources from? Just curious...... :shrug:

Yeah its not common knowledge to me either. Theres Kenne bells running in the mid 20's on boost with the 2.2 and up to 30 on the 2.4.

The voretch SQ will go 20. You have to have a vortech J or X trim to hit 29 pounds of boost.The novi 1000 will hit 20 and the novi 2000 will hit 27. Seems pretty even all around. :shrug:

It will get you higher than 99.9% of the people on here will ever take it. Chime in if you anyone is running more than 26 pounds of boost on here? The majority of people are in the 7-14 psi range and will never go much higher. You just want the most efficient supercharger for you setup and what you use the car for.