Expert: A. Rowe - 12/15/2010

Question
I have a 2010 Ford Mustang GT with a 281ci V8, 315 HP, with about 11,000 miles on it to date.  I am a retired, internationally experienced H.R. executive and, as it is, an Expert myself on AllExperts.com. My website is IHRCConline.com.

So this is my retirement “hot rod” and I would like to make it a bit hotter. It is also my main “ride” so it has to be dependable, last a while.  I love the car… great quality so far!  So I found a highly recommended specialized hot rod shop in Raleigh, NC that has 10 years experience, a great reputation, and has installed 100’s of superchargers.  It is going to cost about $7K to include the DYNO work.  I have communicated with them many times saying that I am not going to race the car, just want it a bit hotter to have some fun on “on ramps” etc, and this is my main car.  I take care of my stuff, will not abuse the car.  I’m 64.  They say the supercharger runs well around 4-6 pounds of boost, that that is a good boost setting for the engine (safe), and taken care of the supercharger and engine should run fine for years. The supercharger is guaranteed by the manufacturer for 3 years, 36K.  Included are the Ford racing injectors, twin fuel pump assembly, DYNO work, after cooler.  The Raleigh shop, Fast Lane Motorsports, says they’ll have the car for 4 to 5 days. I checked with the Ford dealer on warranty issues.  They say that the warranty is not generally impacted unless the part failure is due to the installation and operation of the supercharger.

My questions (supercharger is Vortech 4FU-218-140L (details at   http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/product.php?p=94

So my question is:
·   How much noise will this make at idle, typically?
·   Not that it matters a lot but what will happen to my gas mileage, if I drive this normally, which 98% of the time will be the case. My internet research says about 1 mpg less in town, a little better highway driving
·   If the installation is as professional as the Raleigh shops reputation is and I drive this normally, what is your opinion of the impact on the engine/drive train, if any.
·   Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks much!

Mark Eichinger

Answer
Hi Mark!

I welcome everybody, but especially fellow Allexperts experts!

I checked out your website. I helped develop one here and there before (I'm a jack of all trades, master of some). Your's isn't bad, but, in my opinion, it could use a little 'tweaking'. Let me know if you want input on that.

A friend of mine just bought an'09 'Stang 315hp (5-speed of course). I haven't driven that one yet, but he's in his 70's and used to race back in the day against some well known names in NASCAR. He says his is pretty quick. :) I used to be a bit of a 'speed demon' years ago, so know where you're coming from with wanting a 'little more'. hehe

$7k seems a bit pricey to me for a puffer. I checked a little and found this..... http://www.americanmuscle.com/roush-m90-mustang-supercharger.html   

The kit is $5k and includes reprogramming of the computer. Albeit, it's advertised to give only 435hp, but a change of pulleys will change boost pressure and raise that. I'd guess at around $500-800 installation for that. Maybe another $100-200 for overdrive pulleys.

Have you considered a nitrous kit? MUCH cheaper, but gotta be careful to not abuse it.

Keeping in mind that those cars are still under warranty by the factory, I haven't played with them much. 4-6 PSI boost isn't THAT much in my opinion. You can probably go up to 8 PSI without any problems. I used to have an '85 Daytona turbo 5-speed and upped the waste gate to open at 12 PSI on the factory engine with no problems. haha  Of course, that engine was already set up for boost and had a different compression ratio. Unlike yours, it was also a primitive computer system though. A little too much boost on yours and the computer will 'see' it and retard the timing to avoid 'explosion'. Unless you REALLY go nuts with boost.

To the actual questions........

From what I've seen of them, that type blower doesn't make alot of noise. Unlike the old school Roots-style blowers that you can hear a mile away.

As far as gas mileage goes.....good question! I've never done that conversion and saw before and after effects, so I can't say for sure. Theoretically, it shouldn't be much different since the engine should still adjust for the optimal 14.7:1 air/fuel ratio. Therefore, resulting in mostly the same MPG for the same driving habits because the same amount of gas is being burnt to get that same amount of power. More moving parts (supercharger, pulley friction, oil circulation, etc) uses power on it's own. However, the more air/fuel put into the cylinders will get more power. There's so many things to take into consideration that even a mathmetician would rip his hair out trying to guestimate on any particular car.

The impact on the engine/drivetrain really depends on how you drive it. If manual transmission, might consider a heavier duty clutch. '10s are still under warranty (obviously), so not sure how tough the drive train REALLY is since they go to the dealer and not me. I don't think Roush changes anything with the trans or rear end and they're sold by Ford, so it's probably safe. Otherwise Ford wouldn't sell them!

One thing you might want to consider is to trade it in for another 'Stang that was built by Roush. They are limited production, but there's plenty of used ones for sale because many people find that they're aren't 'quite for them'. You may have to shell out more than the $7k you're already thinking about, but you'll still get that power, as well as the body 'facelifts' and suspension upgrades, but possibly the optional exhaust, wheel, brake upgrades among other things. The Rouch's will hold their value much better also. Look at the Yenko Camaros in the 60's, the MSE Trans Ams in the 80's, or even the Shelby 'Stangs in the 60's. Which brings up another thought. Shelby is making them again and the 2010's are rated at 540 horsepower. That will make those on-ramps fun!  


------Aaron