Supercharger Vs Heads

[Sellout]

I am tring to decide wether to go with a 6psi S/C or PI swap. I know the money is quiet a bit different. I was wondering what would be better for drivability. how much higher octane do you have to run with a S/C. I know both heads and sc would be ideal but I am trying to think realistic. What will be more reliable? The highest octane in my town is 90, and I would hate to be adding octane booster to every tank . To sum this up I pretty much just want to run the safest setup with getting about an extra 70 HP or so. Sorry if there was a thread like this already, I search but couldn't find one.

EDIT: Damn, I ment to put this in tech.

 

[HandofDoom_]

Get the heads. 90 octane + S/C = death to motor

 

[Sellout]

Bump

 

[streetstang03]

full PI swap and VT stage I cams.

 

[DBMSTNG]

heads

 

[mrvax]

2 1/2 years ago I faced the same decision. Either way you will probably need better than 90 octane. S/Cs like high octane and so do headswaps with 10.5:1 compression. (Usually the timing gets bumped also.)

I chose the PI swap b/c the whole top of my engine is now new. You don't need a dyno tune but can get one to add a few more ponies or have your EEC reprogrammed like I did.

The S/C may give 20-25 more HP but you can still make that up with mods.

 

[StangGT96]

With the heads can you run 90 octane? I thought it raised the compression ratio to 10:1 with the 1996-98 pistons.

 

[mrvax]

It's supposed to be 10.5:1 and I have never tried anything less than 93. My timing is bumped also. Why not try 90, keep the timing stock and see what happens. If it knocks/pings under full throttle then you know you have to upgrade. Every car is a bit different.

 

[Chopper1]

The head porting company will be able to adjust the compression ratio by removing material to lower compression to match the piston tops.I personally like the head/cams option over S/C's.

 

[Gunfighter]

Given the octane issue, I'd go w/new heads/cams/intake/TB. Also a CAI or other exhaust mods if you don't already have them