S/C help

Bullitt0616 said:

After reading about the KB kits and such, the supercharger bug has bitten me.

I am a complete newb when it comes to S/C's so Im asking for some advice and help.

My goals:
- between 350-400rwhp if possible.
- daily drivable
- set up that would work best with my 4.10's. if they're too tall, then I will switch to 3.73's.
- that famous Cobra "whine" sound.

What are my options for set ups?

I appreciate the help. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Kenne Bell - only way to go...
i suggest a 1.7L non intercooled kit should put you within your 350-400 goal on a budget...a little safer is the intercooled version, but of course more expensive. both kits should be safe on stock motor as long as you keep the boost at a reasonable level (less than 8psi)

Don't bother with the non-intercooled kit. A few months down the road you'll find yourself wondering why you didn't just get the IC, and you'll probably end up posting a thread here saying "Why didn't I buy the IC in the first place?."

Don't let the above poster discourage you from doing it. 9psi with a good tune is safe for the internals as long as you can keep yourself out of the rev limiter and use quality gas.

I've got a 6psi non-cooled 1.7 KB...and I'm running 4:10s.

Plenty of power for the street IMO...it's a wicked combo with the 4:10s.

Been on the car for over a year and I've never regretted not going with the intercooled 9psi kit.

We got 340 at the wheels...115 rwhp gain.

She behaves just like a stocker when you're being tame...and ripps like a mofo when you're on it.

And yes...the 1.7 whines...from 3000-6000 rpms it sounds wonderful.

If you're going to be disappointed with under 350rwhp...then go with the 9psi intercooled kit. Even though KB claims around 355rwhp on their test car with the 6psi non-cooled...they said the thing did around 250rwhp stock...and that's a big # for a stock GT. Most stockers will range between 220-230rwhp. And I've seen 6psi GTs pulling as low as 320rwhp. So if the big # is the priority...go 9psi cooled.

The big decision-maker for me was "grip"...and not having to spend large to chase it. I've got a pretty pair of AR TT 11s on the rear...17 x 9.5 with 275/40 series tires. Combine that with 4:10s...and the thought of pushing nearly 400rwhp would likely mean a rear wheel/tire swap to keep the car on the road when I mash it. And I love the way the car behaves with 4:10s...so they weren't going anywhere.

So...there's a bunch of factors to think about...do what's right for you.

I lose the pi$$ing contest when everyone want's to talk dyno numbers...but I went the polished route...so when the hoods are open it's a different story.

And on the street...meh...the difference between 340 and 390 isn't a factor.

No worries about emissions...they're legal...mine runs cleaner than it did stock. Props to my SCT tuner...the guy knows his stuff.

Good luck...the KB is an awesome kit...you'll be happy either way.

Shop,compare,find a good quality installer/tuner.Talk to some shops & s/c owners. I started out getting a KB but ended up with an ATI intercooled(only because my installer liked these kits). The installation/tune is everything. Every owner will tell you that his unit is the best. They are all good.My centri is fun,it's reliable and packs a punch at the track..and looks good at shows.The driveability is excellent.But next round I'll get a KB (just for a change). Good luck..keep us posted

I have the kb polished intercooled 1.7 with a 14lb pulley and really llike it, I ran wityh the 9 lb pulley and had no problems but you will get used to the power and want more, atleast I did...went to the 10 lb pulley because I get 93 octane gas and blew my engine. I now have a forged bottom end and go up to the 14 lb pulley...the point of my story is that it is normal or atleast very common to want to upgrade, you get used to the power and want more. Now that I have my forged bottom end i could pump up the boost a lot more and I wish I had the 2.2 kb, which could really push up my hp numbers, if you can afford it a smarter investment might be to put the 2.2 kb on your stock bottom end and run it at 8lb's of boost and when you get used to that you know you can upgrade. I will have to sell my 1.7 for a loss to purchase the 2.2, sorry for the long post but there are some people on this board that have gone with the 2.2 with their stock block, and any engine can blow, I don't care how good the tune is !
If you know that 350 - 400 rwhp will be good enough, 1.7 would be fine, with no driveability issues, kb has done research and 373's are the best for the track but your 410's would be fine - good luck !

So with the KB 1.7, (340-390RWHP) what kind of 1/4 mile times are you guys running?

Bullitt0616 said:

After reading about the KB kits and such, the supercharger bug has bitten me.

I am a complete newb when it comes to S/C's so Im asking for some advice and help.

My goals:
- between 350-400rwhp if possible.
- daily drivable
- set up that would work best with my 4.10's. if they're too tall, then I will switch to 3.73's.
- that famous Cobra "whine" sound.

- unsure if its possible, but are supercharged cars cali smog legal?

What are my options for set ups?

I appreciate the help. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Yes, aftermarket superchargers are legal in cali. Where are you located? IF you want the cobra whine, you want a Roots supercharger vs. the vortec centrifugal. I'd suggest looking into the Kenne Bell 1.7. Otherwise, you could probably keep the 4.10's with the FRPP supercharger, and save a little money. The Kenne Bell of course would have more power potential, but the FRPP seems to be safe so far, and you can change the pulley on it just as you would the KB.

Wade

Bullitt0616 said:

wow, thanks for the advice and input, gentlemen.

I've been leaning towards the 1.7, starting at 6psi - that being said, can I just buy the intercooler later so I can bump it up to 9psi?

I'm located in British Columbia, Canada... we have the 2nd strictest smog laws in North America so I rely on Cali legal cars in comparisson.

With this kit on, do I need to change other things (exhaust, fuel pump and such) in my car to make it work or can i just slap the 1.7 on and go?

the 1.7's power range in good enough for me, should i decide to go with higher boost, i'll just put some 3.73's on.

once again, thanks guys.

Click to expand...

Yes...you can buy the intercooler later. Keep in mind the blower has to come back off to install the cooler...as I understand it's a 10+ hour job.

The kit comes complete...the only thing you'll need to change is your underwear.

That said...there are options and accessories to think about...FP and boost gages...CAI...TB etc. And if you're going with the polished piece, and the thought of swapping out the stock cam covers with polished ones...it's easier to do when the intake manifold is off the car.

You forgot to mention how much $ you have in your budget...

crap..forgot

you need to buy spark plugs

and budget a few hundred cdn for dyno time before and after

Bullitt0616 said:

wow, thanks for the advice and input, gentlemen.

I've been leaning towards the 1.7, starting at 6psi - that being said, can I just buy the intercooler later so I can bump it up to 9psi?

I'm located in British Columbia, Canada... we have the 2nd strictest smog laws in North America so I rely on Cali legal cars in comparisson.

With this kit on, do I need to change other things (exhaust, fuel pump and such) in my car to make it work or can i just slap the 1.7 on and go?

the 1.7's power range in good enough for me, should i decide to go with higher boost, i'll just put some 3.73's on.

once again, thanks guys.

Click to expand...

I don't know if you have a place to buy the kit from already but my intercooled KB 1.7 just came in from http://themustangshop.ca. it's still sitting in Calgary waiting to ship to me on Monday . They have really good prices and really know their stuff. Matt is the installer and owner and knows a lot. if you have questions you can always call there. It's a 1 800 # so there's no cash out of your pocket. Just a little advice. My intercooled kit cost about $6,600CDN, it comes with everything. Justy my .02