To blow or not to blow?

[Madik]

Considering a supercharger for my 5.0.

I found a Kenne Bell kit for $3000 that will bolt on top of the engine and fit nicely under the hood.

My question is this...
Knowing that I will not keep this car for ever, will the supercharger add value to the car on a resell?

I'd love the extra HP's, but my engine runs so smooth right now that I'm almost afraid to add anything. Considering the re-sale market, am I better off with more Horse Power or keeping things simple?

-Madik

[trularin]

If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

[BPWilliams]

If you do not plan on keeping the car I do not think it will add enough of a value to justify the means. pluss you never know what other problems that might arise out of more power, that weak link thing.......

Nice Lone Star! is it complete yet?

Keep it above 100.................

Brian

[Madik]

That's easy for you to say with your 429 and your 351.

[BPWilliams]

You know you do have a point there! I guess you look at things diffrent when you have over 400hp to the ground! I rescind my last statement! Put two on!! how come none of the 302 guys have posted?

Have fun...............
Brian

[mrpink]

Hrer is a post from another forum.

"I thought I would share some thoughts on the new stroker motor, since I used the forums help in making it all work out.
1.My old set-up was a Stock 302, stock heads and stock lower intake. I had a ProM 80, 70MM throttle body, 42lb injectors and a Kenne Bell pushing around 5-lbs. I had the 1-7/8" Tristate headers.
2. My new set-up has a cam with 534int/544exh-229
AFR 185 heads,Holley system max 1 lower intake,331 stroker,DSS prolite pistons 8.7:1 compression,Aluminum flywheel. Same Kenne Bell.


The new engine is in it's breakin with about 100 miles on it. I have eased it up to 5k on shifts, but haven't punched it yet.

It pulls very close to the same as the old set-up up to about 3k.
This tells me that just installing a Kenne Bell and a larger intake, like the Pro-m 80 and 70MM throttle is a good enough modification.( My first set-up)
Now I expected the new engine to be snappy down low, but in hind sight, I made the ports larger, the engine breathes better. With a air pumper like a KB, making ports larger doesn't seem to increase the low end response. I'm convinced that just installing a KB with stock heads is all most people need if you like the low end torque pull. Maybe even using ported heads, like Wurf is working on would do the trick.

After 3k-rpm, I feel some engine breathing going on.
I haven't completely gone there yet, but I came close yesterday and it put a smile on my face.
The stock engine would smoke them at will in 2nd and I experienced tire slipping in 3rd. (373:1)
This engine feels like it will not stop slipping. Not sure, because I don't want to give it too much in the break in period. But I'm sure I had some tire slipping in 4th.
All in all and after spending all this money on a new engine. The stock engine and KB with large intake was a good combo.
Maybe this observation will save someone some money in the future. "

[Thompson]

My 2 cents worth. I have a Vortech Supercharged 302. Started with a stock motor and just added the Supercharger. Added a lot of power and let me keep up with the big blocks. After 5 years the old rings just gave up. Can not handle the boost. (6 pounds) So last year upgraded the whole bottom end of the block. Now it is right. Now the big blocks keep up with me.
When you said you were not keeping the car long term, made me think. I do not think I would keep a stock 302 for long either. But add a supercharger to it and it is a whole different story. This is fun. You will love it. Also, do not take advice from the big block guys who tell you that you do not need more power. They just do not want you running with them. And getting 20 miles per gallon.
Supercharged and Fuel Injected. Makes a whole lot of sense and maybe that is why all the new performance cars are going that way.
One last thing. Horsepower costs money. Supercharging is expenseive (when you consider what you have to build up on the bottom end some day) , but so are cubic inches.

Dick

[BPWilliams]

If there is one thing that I have learned is that there is Always somebody faster! Big block, Small block, or Jet engine car. All it takes is money and the Ba!!s to drive it like you stole it! it all depends on what you want to do with the car............ And yes, some Small block cars are faster than me at certian road race tracks without modifications............

Keep it above 100.....................

Brian

[MJN]

Don't do it. It's costing me way too much $$$ trying to keep up with all you guys adding more HP.

Seriously though, as noted above, supercharging is not cheap. You will spend a lot more money than what the original supercharger 'kit' costs you. However if you want to get a large increase in power without taking the valve covers off it's a very attractive option. If you sell the car later you can always pull the blower off. Kenne Bells sell quickly used. A used 1500 kit typically brings between $1800 and $2000.

[Thompson]

Then there is the whine!!!!!

Those in the know, run to see what you have under the hood when ever you drive up. Those without a clue, think you have a loose fan belt.

The sound of that whine, a cam lope and those great side pipes. That is cool.

Got to hear it to really understand it.

Dick

[Madik]

My original concern was resell, but I plan to keep the car for 2-3 more years. I can't imagine my car with another 100hp.

My 5.0 does have some modifications (Trickflow Cam, Heads, ect..) It already feels pretty quick. I really need to hitch a ride in one of these 400+hp cars and see what a Cobra is really supposed to feel like. Find out if I have the ba!!s to drive it.

But on the other hand... when I read Thompson's profile and saw the words "Supercharged 5.0" I was strangly aroused.

-Madik

[Thompson]

Madik,

I have a deal for you. The Mile Hi Cobra Club is having our 1st annual Cruise Colorado. July 21 to 25. Bring your car out for the weekend and you will get a ride in my little old supercharged 302. Check out www.milehicobraclub.com for details on this cruise.

Dick

[Madik]

Colorado!!

Are you crazy? We probaly live 20 miles away from each other. Besides, we have the best weather in the world right here.

Well, except for today... and tomorrow... and the next 3-months.

But seriously, I'd love to compare rides sometime. Let me know the next time you go somewhere local and we'll meet up.

-Madik

[BPWilliams]

Are you going on the mothers day run? If you are I can give you a ride in my car! Just a thought..............
Brian

[Madik]

Brian,
Sounds great! I need to see if I can make it though. If so, I'll take you up on that offer.

Sounds like a long trek. How many times are we allowed to fill our tanks?

[BPWilliams]

Well they say that my car will pass anything on the road, but a gas station! The guys are very good at stopping to fill up or strech. My car get's 4 mpg city, and 6 highway.......... (keep that small block!)

Brian

[Karl Bebout]

4 and 6? Don't you have a 5 spd? Wonder how bad it would be with just a four spd or something else with a 1.0 high gear. I get at least 10 around town and no O.D. and a 3.50 gear. I know that you can't be running too deep a gear since you do have such a high/fast top end. I guess it gives you plenty of potty breaks on any kind of trip.

I've got it...my poor little Chebby just doesn't make the horse power your 429 does...yah, dat's the ticket.