Supercharger noob questions
#1
Supercharger noob questions
Hi All,
This is my first post. :-)
I am considering supercharging my truck. It is a 2006 F150 5.4 Crew Cab XLT 2WD. It has 77,000 miles and is in very good condition. Currently it has a Borla cat back exhaust, Edge Evolution CS tuner, K&N CAI and stock drive train. I believe the gear ratio is 3.73. The wheels and tires are from a 2010 F150 Platinum which I believe are 20" x 8.5"
My goal is to just make it more fun to drive. Unfortunately I live in the communist state of California so my options are limited...
The two kits I am considering are: 1) The CARB approved ProCharger and 2) The CARB approved Whipple supercharger.
My questions are: 1) With the mileage on my truck, is it OK to add a supercharger? 2) Will either one be better for my stock drive train? 3) If anyone has a similar set up, do you think the cost (approx 6k) was worth the results? 4) Should I just sell it and get an Ecoboost? ;-)
Thanks!
This is my first post. :-)
I am considering supercharging my truck. It is a 2006 F150 5.4 Crew Cab XLT 2WD. It has 77,000 miles and is in very good condition. Currently it has a Borla cat back exhaust, Edge Evolution CS tuner, K&N CAI and stock drive train. I believe the gear ratio is 3.73. The wheels and tires are from a 2010 F150 Platinum which I believe are 20" x 8.5"
My goal is to just make it more fun to drive. Unfortunately I live in the communist state of California so my options are limited...
The two kits I am considering are: 1) The CARB approved ProCharger and 2) The CARB approved Whipple supercharger.
My questions are: 1) With the mileage on my truck, is it OK to add a supercharger? 2) Will either one be better for my stock drive train? 3) If anyone has a similar set up, do you think the cost (approx 6k) was worth the results? 4) Should I just sell it and get an Ecoboost? ;-)
Thanks!
#2
Hi All,
My questions are: 1) With the mileage on my truck, is it OK to add a supercharger? 2) Will either one be better for my stock drive train? 3) If anyone has a similar set up, do you think the cost (approx 6k) was worth the results? 4) Should I just sell it and get an Ecoboost? ;-)
Thanks!
My questions are: 1) With the mileage on my truck, is it OK to add a supercharger? 2) Will either one be better for my stock drive train? 3) If anyone has a similar set up, do you think the cost (approx 6k) was worth the results? 4) Should I just sell it and get an Ecoboost? ;-)
Thanks!
Between the two superchargers you are looking at I find the positive displacement (ie Whipple) to be a much better solution. The motor produces a lot more torque all over the RPM range versus the centrifugal charger that the Procharger kit uses. It makes it a much better daily driver solution. Overall I think the impact on the drivetrain is similar between the two..
As far as the transmission goes I had mine built as sturdy as can be without dropping a ton of money and it has held up so far. With that said I try not to beat the **** out of it. Also mileage really doesn't impact things and a 70k mile old motor is hardly broken in nowadays.
My suggestion would be to find a used supercharger Whipple kit and save yourself a ton of dough. They come up every once and awhile and if you install yourself you are looking at being in the hole maybe $3k versus $6k+. Or buy an Ecoboost and be done with it.
Let me know if you have any questions and good luck!
#3
Thank you radelow. Good info. Yeah, I've been down a similar road with a Camaro... everything ends up twice as expensive as you think and 1/2 as reliable.
What I have learned so far is with a supercharger I can expect to make around 330-360 RWHP and because I live in Kalifornia, apparently I cannot use custom tunes, only canned CARB approved tunes... Also, if I add a supercharger, I should also consider upgrading the trans, differential, cooling, fuel system and brakes...
If I was looking at 450+, I would be all in. But for sub 400, if I do this, I will definitely look for a used one. I am sure there are guys pulling them all of the time during a rebuild or upgrade.
Thanks
What I have learned so far is with a supercharger I can expect to make around 330-360 RWHP and because I live in Kalifornia, apparently I cannot use custom tunes, only canned CARB approved tunes... Also, if I add a supercharger, I should also consider upgrading the trans, differential, cooling, fuel system and brakes...
If I was looking at 450+, I would be all in. But for sub 400, if I do this, I will definitely look for a used one. I am sure there are guys pulling them all of the time during a rebuild or upgrade.
Thanks
#4
#5
I had a Roush on my 05 Lariat with pretty much everything you can do to a stock motor and I made 430. The 05-08 made roughly 220 stock trim at the wheels. And just because you live in California doesn't mean you can't get a custom tune. I'd be more worried about finding 93 octane. But as stated I think you'd want to go the whipple route it's a good blower and lots of room to grow if you wanted too.
#6
Do you have to run 93 octane or can you run 91 octane with a supercharger?
Yeah I am just tryin' to decide what to do... Right now the truck is in great condition and I could probably sell it today. So, do I sell it and buy an Ecoboost or even a 5.0? Or do I add a couple of mods to this one? *I know I will not get any money back for the mods I make no matter how much they cost.*
I don't if this is true or not but it seems like there are more mods for Chevys than Fords and they are less expensive. For example, I can find a good deal on a used super charger for a 5.3 no problem. But try and find a good deal on a used super charger for a 5.4 and you'd have better luck passing a healthcare bill...
Yeah I am just tryin' to decide what to do... Right now the truck is in great condition and I could probably sell it today. So, do I sell it and buy an Ecoboost or even a 5.0? Or do I add a couple of mods to this one? *I know I will not get any money back for the mods I make no matter how much they cost.*
I don't if this is true or not but it seems like there are more mods for Chevys than Fords and they are less expensive. For example, I can find a good deal on a used super charger for a 5.3 no problem. But try and find a good deal on a used super charger for a 5.4 and you'd have better luck passing a healthcare bill...
#7
I'm sure you could get tuned to run 91. Mine was tuned for 93 since it was readily available. The whipple supercharger is the most expensive on the market, I think Magnuson also makes a supercharger but regardless it's gonna cost upwards of 6k. You might be able to part one together via eBay for a little less.