Supercharger vs. N/A build!

[LoBelly]

Originally Posted by Cobrat24

That looked fun!! Good lookin cobra. So that's a carb version of a supercharger? You said you don't recommend it, can you tell me your experience and reasons? What kind of power did you put down?

I have no experience with a supercharger - it's not me or my car.
and
I don't know how much power the car was making



ta
LoBelly

[Cobrat24]

Ok so million dollar question,

Displacement or Blower with FI

It seems the HP with the 302's don't see 500hp as much as your 351's and up.

Both sound like 10k could get me either or. Car goes in this month for the project so this is why I'm asking all the questions. Just want to be educated for my builder on what I want to request.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cobrat24

Ok so million dollar question,

Displacement or Blower with FI?

Displacement.

[Bernica]

Displacement x2

[rodneym]

Both.

[twobjshelbys]

Sometimes the obvious things are overlooked so I'll ask...

Have you rejetted and adjusted your carb for high altitude operation?

I deliberately got fuel injection for mine (I lived in northern Boulder County, 5500', but had frequent operation above 10000' (especially when going over Trail Ridge, admittedly not a normal operating condition). A well designed DFI certainly helps these conditions, but a friend with the same engine - the Roush 427R (mine was IR for fuel injection) - in his GT40 ran great in the altitude band from about 5000-8000.

As an anecdote when I was "a kid" and we went from Iowa to Colorado, etc. my dad always had the carb reconfigured for high altitude. Another friend who ran carbs and took his car to sea level had two carbs and swapped them.

[Cobrat24]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Sometimes the obvious things are overlooked so I'll ask...

Have you rejetted and adjusted your carb for high altitude operation?

I deliberately got fuel injection for mine (I lived in northern Boulder County, 5500', but had frequent operation above 10000' (especially when going over Trail Ridge, admittedly not a normal operating condition). A well designed DFI certainly helps these conditions, but a friend with the same engine - the Roush 427R (mine was IR for fuel injection) - in his GT40 ran great in the altitude band from about 5000-8000.

As an anecdote when I was "a kid" and we went from Iowa to Colorado, etc. my dad always had the carb reconfigured for high altitude. Another friend who ran carbs and took his car to sea level had two carbs and swapped them.

Hey Tony,

To answer you on the elevation question, yes the car has been rejetted. The car just doesn't make enough power for my wants and needs. While we all were bringing up which direction to go on the motor, carb vs FI became a concern because of the elevation changes occasionally thru the year.

To your point I hate the idea of rejetting on the fly if I want to go to Tahoe or Auburn Ca. I think it's becoming painfully apparent that whether I go blower or cu build, FI will need to be considered.

[ct clint]

Ok seen all the post go efi add the charger and who cares if the motor don't survive it's not like it's rare. You can do bad things to stock 302 and they survive. Look for a used smashed mustang already done pull what u want sell rest off. If u get two years out of it then build motor you will have the knowledge of what u need at that point. I bought my v4 vortech for under 2grand used what's that like 12$us these days lol good parts are out there ask around lots of motors half done and guys run out of cash. Don't rush u are getting a lot of good info here for sure a lot of these guys have been down this road and it's nice to see such a good thread cheers

[Bernica]

Maybe just sell it all (maybe some other stuff) and start fresh with a supercharged Coyote engine and be done with it. Then you have the cubic inches and all you have been searching for.

[Cobrat24]

Ok fellas, I think I've decided to go to a big block, but where are you boys buying your blocks from? And I'm not taking about eBay either.

Spoke with my builder last night and let him know that's the direction I'm looking but he was telling me I'd be looking at 15k for example a complete Windsor build. This is blowing past my budget by 5k.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cobrat24

Ok fellas, I think I've decided to go to a big block, but where are you boys buying your blocks from? And I'm not taking about eBay either.

Spoke with my builder last night and let him know that's the direction I'm looking but he was telling me I'd be looking at 15k for example a complete Windsor build. This is blowing past my budget by 5k.

If by "big block" you are thinking FE, then your $10k budget isn't going to get you there. 427 and 428 blocks are going to blow your budget to pieces -- a 390 less so. And a Windsor is not a big block. Whatever engine you choose, 289, 351, FE, or 385, I would let a trusted engine builder choose your block, not you.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If by "big block" you are thinking FE, then your $10k budget isn't going to get you there. 427 and 428 blocks are going to blow your budget to pieces -- a 390 less so. And a Windsor is not a big block. Whatever engine you choose, 289, 351, FE, or 385, I would let a trusted engine builder choose your block, not you.

Yup. As an example, a new bare Shelby FE aluminum block is about $7k from Shelby and a completely built FE from them starts at just under $30k and goes up from there.

Of course, you can start with a good used FE block, but take heed and do your homework on them before you lay down the $$. Many horror stories here and out there.

Before buying used, I would pay a quality builder to go through the block thoroughly and give you the final thumbs up or down.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Of course, you can start with a good used FE block, but take heed and do your homework on them before you lay down the $$. Many horror stories here and out there.

But, mind you, if you do not suffer the fate of the horror stories, there is a school of thought that a "seasoned" iron block, with decades of heat cycles, and with nice thick walls, is superior in many regards. Not the least of which can be your DEQ inspector, if that matters, which it might not, but it might.... Personally, give me a beautifully seasoned, original iron block any day of the week.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Personally, give me a beautifully seasoned, original iron block any day of the week.

Me, too. With one minor deviation...

Personally, give me a beautifully seasoned, original iron block any day of the week, so long as it goes in a beautifully seasoned, original Cobra.

[eschaider]

There is a reason that supercharged race cars run in different classes than n/a cars and it is not because the n/a cars make more power.

If you are funds limited then you should either set your sights lower (maybe accept lower power right now) and save until you can afford to build the bigger engine correctly.

Trying to make a beast of burden on a budget run like a purpose built high performance engine is a waste of your money and time. It will only increase the cost of what you want by the dollars you spend on the engine you didn't want.

Decide what you want, what it will cost and begin saving and buying parts as they present themselves to you. When you are done putting perfume on a pig it is still a pig. Budget, save, buy, build and then enjoy.


Ed

[Dwight]

Where are located?

[Cobrat24]

Originally Posted by Dwight

Where are located?

Reno, NV sir!

[Dwight]

I have eight or nine FE blocks. But I live in north Alabama shipping may be expensive

[Cobrat24]

Originally Posted by Dwight

I have eight or nine FE blocks. But I live in north Alabama shipping may be expensive

Can you send some pics sir? And a zip code just incase I decide to research shipping.

Much appreciated you trying to help spend my money ... Lol

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cobrat24

Reno, NV sir!

There are more used auto parts and salvage yards in Nevada than anywhere else, except maybe Texas. Of course you know that all blocks that look the same are not the same. Some have those pesky little hairline cracks, core shift, and skinny little walls that won't let you bore them out without getting wet...