Tell me about superchargers.

[HardDrive]

I've been poking around at 4.6 4v Mustangs for a while. I'm probably pick one up at some point when the time is right.

It seems like the easy path to power is bolting on a supercharger. I'm interested in a centrifugal (as opposed to a roots style) unit.

I'm curious as to how a supercharger changes the feel of the engine. Does the engine rev as freely? Is there increased engine drag when you are off the throttle? Any thoughts on roots vs. centrifugal?

Any input on the matter appreciated, but I'm really looking for input from people that have driven/owned vehicles with them installed.

[Oh Haha]

A buddy had a 2000 Z28 with a ProCharger. The power is instant with no lag like with a turbocharger. Throttle response was incredible!

I've not driven anything with a Roots type device but would guess the "instant power" would apply.

[Dansvan]

In my experience throttle response is enhanced. You can drive around all day normally and never even get into the boost if you prefer. Totally docile. Then punch it, there's the boost, away you go. Never felt any drag or resistance on the motor.

[Cooper911SC]

Our DD is an '05 Jaguar S Type R. 5.2L Jag V8 with screw type charger.

Very linear power. Plant your foot and the boost is just there. Speed builds quickly.

Passing is easy.

Heavy car, but still a fun grocery getter and child hauler. 😉

I have resisted the urge to massage the intake tract and install an under size pulley for more/quicker boost.

Sadly there is virtually no aftermarket engine tune available for these cars. Just too small a market compared to BMW or Mercedes AMG stuff.

Have fun looking for your new project.

Cooper

[Brian 162]

I had a 90 Thunderbird Super Coupe with a V6 supercharged engine. It was mounted on the top of the engine. The power was instant, no lag.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've owned a bunch of Stage 3 Roush and GT500 Mustangs, along with a Jaguar XJR. Superchargers are incredible, you get instant torque everywhere without any downsides. The only way you can match supercharger response with a turbo is a really good sequential twin, and even then you still have marginal lag.

[patz]

I had a Whipple on a 390 Dodge. Fun. 10mpg all day long.

[unclebilly]

We have the TRD supercharger on my wife's Lexus LX450. It really woke it up and gave it the power level it should have had from the factory.

Power delivery is linear unlike a turbo. You can run more boost by changing pulley diameters and inter cooling makes sense as well but most people don't run waste gates or inter coolers.

[Dansvan]

All of the superchargers except the procharger mentioned above were positive displacement and not centrifugal as the original poster asked about. Different feel and driving experience.

[SeanPizzle]

the only downside of my m3 that is supercharged is that my heel/toe throttle blips on the downshifts need a more exaggerated blip because of the drag and tubing upstream of the throttle body. Just takes some getting used to.

[pwd72s]

What's with all the 'Stang interest all of a sudden? Anyway, some good reading & info here. I'd suggest a low boost street tune for a 4.6 with stock engine internals.

E-Force Supercharger Systems - Introduction - Edelbrock, LLC.

(edit) I'm curious about the why here though. Cost wise, it makes more sense to buy a 5.0 since a street driven blown 4.6 with stock internals is roughly the same horsepower as a normally aspirated 5.0...

But if you want to go really crazy..

http://www.stangtv.com/news/video-brenspeed-talks-about-long-term-projects-and-dream-cars/

BTW, 4.6 'Stangs are 3 valves per cylinder. The 5.0 "coyote" engines are 4V.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by Dansvan

All of the superchargers except the procharger mentioned above were positive displacement and not centrifugal as the original poster asked about. Different feel and driving experience.

Our boat is also supercharged, it is the turbine style like a turbo but driven by a belt. This is in a SCIC Seadoo. It has a water - air inter cooler. Power delivery is smooth and also unlike a turbocharged engine.

[afterburn 549]

Most get lag and threshold confused.
Its quite EZ to send the rods out to the street low RPM/high boost.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Dansvan

All of the superchargers except the procharger mentioned above were positive displacement and not centrifugal as the original poster asked about. Different feel and driving experience.

That's a good point, I haven't driven anything with a centrifugal supercharger. It may be a different experience, though from my reading I think it is quite similar. Superchargers are known for instant response because there isn't the need for exhaust flow to build boost.

There's also the question of integration of an aftermarket supercharger. I had a BMW 318ti that was supercharged and a huge PITA, very temperamental. All of my Mustangs have been factory supercharged with an OEM level of integration.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

What's with all the 'Stang interest all of a sudden? Anyway, some good reading & info here. I'd suggest a low boost street tune for a 4.6 with stock engine internals.

E-Force Supercharger Systems - Introduction - Edelbrock, LLC.

(edit) I'm curious about the why here though. Cost wise, it makes more sense to buy a 5.0 since a street driven blown 4.6 with stock internals is roughly the same horsepower as a normally aspirated 5.0...

But if you want to go really crazy..

Brenspeed Talks Long Term Project Cars

BTW, 4.6 'Stangs are 3 valves per cylinder. The 5.0 "coyote" engines are 4V.

I suspect because you can get a 4.6L Mustang and supercharge it for less money than buying a 5.0. Personally I also like that body style better (pre-2010 S197). I actually have two Stage 3 Roush Mustangs right now, both with the 4.6L. My 2008 427R is 435HP, my 2010 Stage 3 is 540HP. The 2010 has forged internals from Roush as part of the Stage 3 package, so it's a more comprehensive build than the 2008.

[dennis in se pa]

I have an '07 Shelby GT/SC. Whipple 550 supercharger. It's the twin screw kind. Has a liquid intercooler - this is important just as it is with turbos. All work done at Shelby. Went from 320 HP to 550 HP with 493 HP (dyno) at the wheels. To answer the question.....it drives like a normal car unless you put your foot into it JUST A LITTLE BIT! Then it goes like heck! You don't even want to give it much throttle until third gear. I think the centrifugal type have a bit of lag, which is why Shelby went with the twin screw type. Does it handle like a 911? No. But at 64 I am not capable of judging corners like I used to, so accelerating in a straight line is a thrill I can enjoy.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

What's with all the 'Stang interest all of a sudden?

I'm from the midwest, I've always liked Mustangs. I've had 3 Porsches. I simply want to try something different. Mustangs are plentiful and cheap. You can modify them to you hearts delight for a fraction of the cost of a P-car. Blow up a 4.6? Who cares. Ford made them by the millions.

Originally Posted by pwd72s

BTW, 4.6 'Stangs are 3 valves per cylinder. The 5.0 "coyote" engines are 4V.

The 2005+ base GTs were 3 valves. Prior to 2005, the Cobra and Mach 1 Mustangs had the 4v engine, along with the Lincoln Mark VIII and I believe the Towncar. People will seek out the Lincolns just for the engine.

I would like to find a 2003/04 Mach 1 and put it on mild boost. Why not just get a Coyote Mustang? Maybe I'll do that, but believe it or not, I like the 99-04 'New Edge' Mustangs.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you like the new edge cars, how about a '99-'04 Cobra? IRS, hand built 320 HP 4.6L, some nice unique styling touches. Frequently found well under $10k.

[willtel]

My 2001 BMW E46 has a Vortech V2 centrifugal supercharger on it. As some have mentioned it doesn't have that "instant power everywhere" feel typical of superchargers. It takes some RPM to build boost and until it makes boost you would never know it is there. Once it comes in the power curve is very similar to that of a turbo but with a different sound. I like it and I would do it again.

IMG_0100 by willtel, on Flickr

E46 Vortech V2 Supercharger by willtel, on Flickr

[SeanPizzle]

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

. I think the centrifugal type have a bit of lag, which is why Shelby went with the twin screw type. .

I concur with this as my M3 has a vortech centrifugal. It's great when it hits, it just isn't very linear and the throttle has a bit of lag.