Superchargers- Install and Forget or Nightmare?

[98GTBlkConv]

Hello all. I am confused to say the least! I have a 98 GT convertible with 30k miles on it. It is a weekend driver and I take good care of it. I have been wanting to make it into a bit of a sleeper by increasing its performance, so I am seriously considering a supercharger or PI headswap. Unfortunately, before I purchased the car, I did not do my research to find out that most people think that the car is slow. I mainly purchased it based on its cherry condition and body style, as I prefer the look of this car. In any event, I am wondering if I have a supercharger installed, am I going to have to worry about upgrading additional components such as fuel pump, injectors, etc. Once installed, will it be a maintenance nightmare? Conversely, if I have the PI headswap done, will it be less of a nightmare to maintain? I am not an idiot, but neither am I am mechanic. I would like to have the upgrade done and not to require a lot of fiddling around under the hood once it is completed. Any advice (logical) would be appreciated! Please don't respond by telling me to buy a new/used car!

 

[Ryan02Stang]

With the blower you are going to need a new MAF, new injectors, new fuel pump, and a new chip. If installed and tuned properly it will not be a maintanence nightmare. PI headswap will also not be a maintanence nightmare if installed correctly. Headswap would be cheaper, but wouldnt show as much gains.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

With the blower you are going to need a new MAF, new injectors, new fuel pump, and a new chip. If installed and tuned properly it will not be a maintanence nightmare. PI headswap will also not be a maintanence nightmare if installed correctly. Headswap would be cheaper, but wouldnt show as much gains.

Approximately how much different would the gains be between a low/medium boost supercharger and the PI headswap? Also, would there be serious traction concerns if I added the power adder?

 

[ProCharger GT]

You'll have to add new injectors, fuel pump, colder heat range spark plugs, MAF, exhaust and a good test & tune if you want to get a supercharger. the biggest problem with supercharged/turbo cars is controlling detonation. make sure that whoever tunes the car is good at it. since you didnt specify if your car was auto or 5spd, a better clutch (spec) or shift kit (auto) would help with the new horsepower gain. bottom line is when you do one major mod, you have to do all the other mods to compliment the major one. I already have PI heads on my car, but if you ask me that seems like the simpler mod to do for right now, especially if you dont have a whole lot of money to throw around upgrading your entire car.

 

[Ryan02Stang]

Approximately how much different would the gains be between a low/medium boost supercharger and the PI headswap? Also, would there be serious traction concerns if I added the power adder?

Medium boost should put you near 300rwhp. PI headswap should put you around 250rwhp. There shouldn't be traction issues unless you are recklessly launching. Are you auto, or manual. Exhaust modifications would help both mods.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

Medium boost should put you near 300rwhp. PI headswap should put you around 250rwhp. There shouldn't be traction issues unless you are recklessly launching. Are you auto, or manual. Exhaust modifications would help both mods.

I should have added that I have FM catbacks, and K&N CAI. The car is a 5-speed. I am not looking to burn up the track as I have never driven on one. I would just like to have the extra HP in case I want to blow the doors off some Honda or Acura. I paid cash for the car, so I don't have a note. I would like to spend $2000-$3000 to make it faster. How much hp should I get with these mods with the above exhaust and CAI?

 

[98GTBlkConv]

Medium boost should put you near 300rwhp. PI headswap should put you around 250rwhp. There shouldn't be traction issues unless you are recklessly launching. Are you auto, or manual. Exhaust modifications would help both mods.

How much would PI increase hp when combined with K&N CAI and dual FM catbacks? I do have these on my car now. It is a five speed, and I believe it is stock 2.73's although it has 17's on it factory.

 

[ProCharger GT]

$2-3K isnt going to be enough to do everything for a supercharger, so go with the head swap, throw a good cam (crower, comp) and springs, and i would upgrade to 24 or 30# injectors, and a 195lph fuel pump. the amount of money your working with should cover all of this no problem. besides by doing the head swap first, if/when you add a supercharger, they will compliment eachother and you'll be making a lot more power than by staying with non PI heads

 

[cap42]

PI headswap should net you 30-40hp where as a supercharger will net you 80-120rwhp depending on what s/c you go with.

PI headswap can cost as little as $500 to as much as $3000 at least from what I've seen here buying the heads at a costly price. If you shop around it shouldn't be to bad on the pocketbook.

Supercharger with all the parts needed for it will run you closer to $4000.....choice is up to you

 

[98GTBlkConv]

PI headswap should net you 30-40hp where as a supercharger will net you 80-120rwhp depending on what s/c you go with.

PI headswap can cost as little as $500 to as much as $3000 at least from what I've seen here buying the heads at a costly price. If you shop around it shouldn't be to bad on the pocketbook.

Supercharger with all the parts needed for it will run you closer to $4000.....choice is up to you

Thanks for the input. Is there a forum to locate local shops that do this kind of stuff? I live in Northern VA, and am only aware of a couple of shops. I don't know how good they are, or if anyone would recommend them.

 

[02mingreyGT]

$2-3K isnt going to be enough to do everything for a supercharger, so go with the head swap, throw a good cam (crower, comp) and springs, and i would upgrade to 24 or 30# injectors, and a 195lph fuel pump. the amount of money your working with should cover all of this no problem. besides by doing the head swap first, if/when you add a supercharger, they will compliment eachother and you'll be making a lot more power than by staying with non PI heads

If he gets the headswap now, which sounds like the better idea with the amount of money he has he will up his compression quite a bit wich would NOT be good for a supercharger in the future so if I were you I would do one of the two not both later on because the new heads will NOT compliment an S/C. Go out and find some heads from a 99 and up GT and then some with your 2-3K and

 

[ProCharger GT]

If he gets the headswap now, which sounds like the better idea with the amount of money he has he will up his compression quite a bit wich would NOT be good for a supercharger in the future so if I were you I would do one of the two not both later on because the new heads will NOT compliment an S/C. Go out and find some heads from a 99 and up GT and then some with your 2-3K and

You can still put the heads on there & supercharge it just put a gasket on that doesnt raise the compression... get a good harmonic balancer too. and besides if going the supercharger route, while not absolutely necessary, you'll want to get forged internals.. otherwise your running on "borrowed time". im not seeing what the problem is here.

 

[CTGrey02]

Supercharging isnt a maintainence nightmare if done right. Kinda fun always having the power there too.. The only thing I can see really costing you more money is wanting to go faster once it's installed, and you will. Average cost for a good setup is 4k or so. Ball Park. Everyone ends up spending a lot more than that eventually on it though.. just due to upgrades. T&J Performance in Alpharetta GA does good work and has good prices. I've driven down there from NY before and saw it first hand.

 

[98GTBlkConv]

Supercharging isnt a maintainence nightmare if done right. Kinda fun always having the power there too.. The only thing I can see really costing you more money is wanting to go faster once it's installed, and you will. Average cost for a good setup is 4k or so. Ball Park. Everyone ends up spending a lot more than that eventually on it though.. just due to upgrades. T&J Performance in Alpharetta GA does good work and has good prices. I've driven down there from NY before and saw it first hand.

Wow! They must do good work to justify driving down all the way from New York. There are supposedly a couple of good shops here in Northern VA. I am leaning towards the headswap for now. We'll have to see what I can talk my wife into!

 

[TARZAN]

IMHO, the headswap would be less hassle from the way you seem to be talking

-Will