Don't forget that the screw also had a 12psi pulley on his KB.

 

Yet another flame fest, with only a few members offering input on the original question. Who would have guessed? Better yet, who would have guessed someone pushing the item they sell?

As with any blower application, done wrong it can make things go boom, done right either the cent or the pd will make good power.

The money factor is often overcome by a person's desires for daily driving, racing, or whatever application they are choosing the blower for. Fastest doesn't mean best to some people, and bang for the buck and overall cost are subjective.

For less than the cost that many here put into their blowers, I could buy a crate stroker motor that makes more torque and HP without boost, but that wouldn't make it better.

 

I have one question and one comment:

If the Centrifugal superchargers are all that, why aren't more Lightning owners running them? Every Lightning I see is running the stock Eaton or a Kenne Bell. Is it the lack of a bolt on kit?

Second, not everyone is interested in pushing 9psi or more in their engine. I low-boost, low-RPM situations, I prefer a twin screw. Not so much because it has more low-end power than a Centrifugal supercharger (Although it certainly feels that way), but because for me, the power curve is more predictable and even. Just a thought.

-Don

 

ironhorse nailed it:

the centrifigal makes more on top the kennebell down low.

gobbs of lowend are good and bad. at $200 a tire i have no desire to boil the tires off. lowend is harder trans and rearend but that lowend fell is like drugs. if i serious needed to up the power for hauling i would consider a diesel or v-10 first.

the centrifigal is easy to install and upgrade. the top end pull is also like drugs. the lowend could be fixed with deeper gears.

i have heard good and bad about both.
best thing would be to try to find on of each to drive and get an honest person to tell you what they like and dislike. This is the only way to know whats best for you. i cant help but think that 90% that get a s/c, get it for the speed, either will get you there, faster. if a little extra down low is all you need then get some 4.10's

converting a lightning to a centrifigal would require alot of work. the upgraded blowers appear to be a straight forward replacement. in the mustang croud the centrifigal rule.

 

I vote KB. Check my sig for details. I went from a 9.67 sec 0-60 to just above 6 seconds. I recently pulled a 16 ft trailer loaded with a 5400 lb Bobcat and a 350 lb sod cutter and was passing 4.6's left and right.


Almost forgot: I get a third gear chirp at 75 mph.

 

Most of the Lightning owners don't seem to have a problem with crazy modifications

The Kenne Bell is a straight forward replacement so it is easier to install, but despite that, I would still expect to see more centrifugal superchargers on the Lightnings if they generate so much power. (I do not mean to imply that they don't generate a ton of power, only that if there were some distinct advantadge, I would expect to see more of them).

In the end, it all comes down to three things: maximum boost, the power curve, and the output temperature.

The screw superchargers can be pushed to 25+ lbs of boost whereas a centrifugal can be pushed past 30. The screw supercharger has a little more predictable power curve than the centrifugal supercharger. The screw supercharger has a lower output temperature than the centrifugal.

The ATI uses an intercooler to get the charge temp down. It does a FANTASTIC job of this. A Lightning has an air-water intercooler and can get the charge temp way down for a roots or screw type supercharger.

In the end? Use whatever you feel comfortable with. I prefer the screw type. Why? Believe it or not, mostly for looks. It produces plenty of power for my needs, and doesn't have pipes running all over my engine compartment or an intercooler to find room for.

-Don

 

From the sound of it, I may want to go with the KB. I currently have a 4.6L but may be getting a newer truck w/ 5.4L. I'm not so much interrested in drag racing my truck, I have my Mustang for that, but I want more pulling power. I have a Vortech S-trim on my Mustang and when the boost comes in, it's here and now!! I like the idea of the more even power curve of the KB as far as pulling power.
So if I go with a KB, chip, cold air and exhaust, I should have plenty of ummmph when pulling? Any thoughts on that???

 

Crash, like I said before, I'm not interrested in beating up on another truck. But I am curious about what you mean about learning the hard way. Enlighten me.
Thanks.

 

I think he means he learned the hardway, by losing to a procharger.

I'm sure he'll chime in and let you know.

You should just make the best decision that you can. Get what you want. You will hear many opinions of others. Just like I'll say get the procharger. I love the procharger because of the power it produces straight out-of-the-box. And, because of the intercooler. Without that im afraid I would of hurt my engine running it in such high heat. I've heard of kenne-belles blowing engines because they lack an intercooler.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Thanks offroadmaniac. I notice that you have an ATI. If you don't mind, give me some info. What do you do with the truck? Do you pull anything, and if so, what kind of weight? What I'm looking for, is what kind of mid-range. What about fuel mileage increase? Don't get me wrong, I like Cent. blower, just trying to figure out the best for my truck.
If I wanted to beat someone, I would get out my Mustang. But as the old saying goes, there is always someone faster and better than you.
Appreciate your help.

 

You really need to determine what you want to use the supercharger for. Although I respect Crash's knowledge, his opinion on superchargers always seems to come back to how fast it will make the truck go in the quarter mile

Basically _any_ of the superchargers out there will work fine in a low-boost application (approx. 6 psi). If you are towing, that is probably all you need as far as maximum boost.

A positive displacement supercharger will produce more boost at low RPM than a centrifugal supercharger. Is it a big difference? No it isn't (maybe 1 or 2 psi). When towing, however, it could be the difference between having to downshift going up a hill or in getting your load started.

At the boost levels we are talking about (6 psi or so) the heat generated by a positive displacement compressor (screw type supercharger) is minimal. Could an intercooler help? Probably, but the difference would be small at these boost levels and likely not worth the effort.

Does the ATI include an intercooler? Yes, for three reasons:
1. The ATI produces more boost in stock configuration than a stock Kenne Bell (and thus more heat).
2. Centrifugal superchargers have a higher outlet temperature than a screw type as a result of the friction involved.
3. It is trivial to add an intercooler to a centrifugal supercharger whereas it is not trivial with a manifold mounted supercharger.

Again, to sum it up:
Any of the superchargers that have been mentioned here will work fine for your application. A screw type met my needs and allowed me to keep a nice, clean, and stock looking engine compartment. For me, that was a consideration.

As a side note, can anyone compare the maintenance requires of a screw with a centrifugal?

-Don

 

sirket, the last time i responded to you , some facts were wrong resulting in me (and i think you) being called a dumbA$$ which resulted in me and Neal getting into a war and then Crash and Neal getting into a war until Neal hit Defcon 1 a couple of days ago. I (and i think Crash) backed it down because i like "debating" but it got out of hand. that being said let me make sure I understand you.

i read that to say that you have a KB?


what do you mean by that?

 

Yes, having a clean looking appearance in the engine bay is a consideration. And yes, the primary reason for me thinking of using a supercharger on my truck is for pulling, going fast with it would just be a (good ) by-product!
I suppose that I want my cake and eat it too. I want enough grunt that I could pull the tongue right off of my trailer without buying a diesel or V-10!!!!!!! Just kidding. But I would like to be able to pull very well and get the best mileage that I can. And no, I don't go to the track and pull my trailer every day, but it would be nice when I need it.

 

The main reason I purchased my KB was for the towing power. I haul a 4 horse trailer on weekends for my daughters. I would like to have purchased a PowerStoke, but don't like the smell or size - does't fit the garage. I do alot of city driving too; the KB is nice for the pickup from light to light. RPM's don't usually go over 2500 in the city. The overall drivability of the KB is great! Feels like I've got a big block under the hood - alot lighter too! I also live in Western NY where it is cooler than Texas, so the choice of non-intercooled doesn't really matter to me. I plan on designing an intercooler for my KB in the future that incorporates refrigerant cooling, controlled by intake air temperature. My brother-in-law works for a sheet metal company and would fabricate what I need. Not sure if I should run it off the belt or electric motor - next year's project.