Supercharger

[BassQuake9000]

There's a Vortech E-Trim supercharger on ebay right now, would something like that be suitable for my Expedition?

 

[green03]

show us the link......

 

[smo0othride]

This one Is the only one on ebay right now

 

[BassQuake9000]

That's the one. What if I got something like that?

 

[green03]

you would need brackets pulleys and an FMU (for your application). You would also use the stock tune and be able to run 6lbs of boost safely.
I think that one is a reverse rotation which means the pulley would be in the rear when mounted on the truck. All of the truck kits I have seen use standard rotation superchargers.

 

[BassQuake9000]

So I wouldn't be able to use the Superchip with it?

 

[green03]

too much timing with boost and the chip......

 

[BassQuake9000]

Alright, so I could sell my superchip to help pay for a supercharger, but how much do you think it would cost to get all the other parts necessary to install it?

 

[green03]

that supercharger on ebay won't work because it is reverse rotation...... You might be able to find a complete kit for around 1500 bucks or so used..... procharger, vortech and paxton make kits for your truck I think....
Matt

 

[BassQuake9000]

Alright, I'll keep my eyes peeled for one. I read the article on the Procharger website that basically bashes Vortech's superchargers. They say that Vortech overrates all their products. Could that be true? Here's the link:

http://www.procharger.com/consumer_alert.shtml

 

[green03]

Well I can tell you from experience that you can reliably run 6 pounds of boost without an intercoler, but 9 is pointless without one because it heats up the air too much and the computer retards the timing. I am adding an intercooler to mine as we speak because it runs like a turd on hot days.

cheating the numbers? Yes, without an intercooler I wouldn't see making more than 30% more power with 6 lbs of boost without an intercooler under sustained conditions. Maybe vortech rates their HP level for the inital boost takeoff as I have a feeling that the power tapers off quick without an intercooler to keep the computer from pulling timing. Boost is Boost.... how cool you keep it makes the difference in the power. And you can run more boost with intercooled setup for even more power

Matt

 

[mustangrfast88]

kenne bell makes a kit for the expedition and it makes 9 pounds and i think you can get a 12 pound pully for it

 

[BassQuake9000]

I'm having trouble finding a 4.6 kit on ebay. Almost everything is specifically for 5.4l engines.

 

[pronstar]

I've seen good power from Kenne Bell blowers at 9psi. And I've seen three engines fail at 12psi with KB blowers, all 5.4L F150s with somewhat agressive tunes (but less aggressive than I run with my Procharger).

I know a few guys that run 12psi on Prochargers, but KB blowers and Prochargers make boost differently. s

The Lightnings that run high boost are intercooled (as are all Lightnings), and for good reason IMHO.

Vortech blowers flow a lot of air. Get their aftercooler (intercooler) with one and then you can make some serious power. Apples-to-apples, they may make a bit more power than a Procharger, or at the very least they are equal when both are intercooled.

A buddy makes almost 445hp to the wheels on his F150 with a 3-valve 5.4 and an intercooled Vortech. A bit more that one typical sees with a Procharger (and a bit more than one typically sees with a Vortech...I'm still trying to figure it out)...

 

[BassQuake9000]

Alright, so I'm trying to find a decent setup on ebay, or just pieces that I can put together to make a kit. This may be kind of a long shot, but I will have approximately $2400 to get the kit and get it installed, and I want it to be done by December. Green03, if you read this, since I know you're in Houston, do you know anyone that can install this for a good price? Or can you do it possibly? If you can, tell me how much you think you would charge to do it. I may be able to come up with some more money as well, hopefully everything will work out.

 

[BassQuake9000]

I've been thinking about getting new gears as well. What would be good for the Expedition if I'm going to put a supercharger on it? Also, how much will it affect my performance?

 

[pronstar]

IMHO $2400 isn't enought, you might find a blower kit for that (it's about what I paid) but like all things, you need ot figure that you'll pay a lot more than originally budgeted.

I got the kit...then injectors...then a fuel pump...then a tune...then this..then that...I'd seriously have about $5 grand handy, especially if you don't install it yourself, for even a used blower.

Here's the key:
Install it yourself, then when something goes awry (and something always goes wrong), you know exactly what it is. Pay someone to install it, and if something goes wrong, you have to pay someone to figure it out.

I'm not that bright, but I set aside a 3-weekend to do it. I have a great understanding on the principles behind everything, so if something goes wrong, I know exactly what to look for.

Now, if you have dough to burn, then by all means pay someone to do it, But if you are on a budget, then it really makes sense to do it yourself.

 

[BassQuake9000]

Alright, thanks for the info. I've been thinking maybe I should hold off for a little bit, and maybe get other parts, working my way up to a supercharger. What if I got different gears, electric cooling fans, and other smaller parts to build power?

 

[pronstar]

Originally posted by BassQuake9000
Alright, thanks for the info. I've been thinking maybe I should hold off for a little bit, and maybe get other parts, working my way up to a supercharger. What if I got different gears, electric cooling fans, and other smaller parts to build power?

All my opinion:
Gears = good not matter what
e-fans = good no matter what
Valve body for tranny = good no matter what

Exhaust for non-supercharged engine = not enough for a blown application...but get a large one now and you may lose a little power due to decreased exhaust velocity/too much flow

Headers = not worth it until you are pushing 500hp or so. Lightning guys and others that I know get minimal gains, if at all, below this power level, especailly given the PITA factor of installing them and maintaining them...this is all accoring to a Mustang dyno. Factory log-style manifolds flow better than you'd think.

Air intake = will be thrown in trash because you can't use it with a blower.

Chip/programmer = good for now, but in all likelihood wasted because you'll need a base tune for some kits, or a custom tune with others (you may be able to tune for the blower with some programmers but you'd best know exactly what you are doing or you can do a lot of damage)

 

[BassQuake9000]

Actually I saw a bigger gain with the addition of the headers than with any other mod I've put on so far. What gears should I get? I was thinking 4.10s, but I know when I get the supercharger I'll probably need something more like 3.73s.