Clarification (and why I said use a tow tune):

Increased IATs, cylinder head, oil, transmission and coolant temps due to increased load for extended periods taxes the system, increases the likelihood of spark knock. Reduced engine life span (its already stressed over stock with a blower and towing adds to this). Increased EGTs.

You need to run a tune specifically with towing in mind which runs slightly richer with less timing to keep EGTs down and reduce the chances of spark knock. Plus, if its a Roushcharger, set the boost kick-in point in the tune slightly higher (for aftermarket tunes since Roush's is already set pretty high). If you run higher than normal boost levels (via pulleys) I'd recommend letting the tuner know the weights you intend to tow and asking him/her to put in an extra margin of safety in the tune.

Heat is the killer with supercharger applications (and Heatons suffer from it enough without increasing loads. ) Take a look at many OEM supercharged applications, they tend to have lower tow ratings.

 

Agreed my SC'd Harley is rated to tow like 2k pounds less than "Normal" 150s.

 

Yes but he is stage 4 ported and has efans. Thats about 40-50hp. I was saying a base Whipple kit alone will give you 60% or 160hp. (394rwhp base kit vs stock 230ish). A base Roush 8psi kit will only provide you 145.

 

Ok...so a supercharger will reduce towing capacity. What simply engine mods/anything else will increase power and torque? Cold air intake? Heavier fuel injectors? Upgraded exhaust? I'm thinking that a supercharger might just turn out to be the wrong choice for me then, but I still want more power, so any suggestions are welcome. Thanks again guys.

 

Efans should show you a little extra hp. And i heard if you put a spoiler on it you get an extra 10 hp (j/k saw that on a ricer youtube video, some kid was trying to say his spoiler added 10hp to his car. I replied that if he puts neat stickers on there he might see an increase in hp & torque as well )

 

Hahaha. Oh ya, that will be my first upgrade...a big ironing board on the back. I also heard that if you put stickers and stuff on it, there's a good chance you'll have a 10 second car. JK JK...too funny

 

that's because of the low profile tires...

 

NO IT WON'T



there are many truck that use superchargers to increase the towing abillity, jordan not mike, bigtruck311, klitch, several I have forgotten about and that guy that did an eaton conversion on his F-250 so he could tow better

 

Gotcha!!!

 

This discussion on a superchargers affect on towing could go on and on. The fact is Whipple produced the blower to aid you in towing. They make them for lots of trucks including the Chevy HD's and other trucks designed for towing. Give them a call and talk to them about what your needs and wants are. (559) 442-1261

 

Efans will usually show about 20-25rwhp increase on these trucks.

 

Ok quick question I have wondered is why do you want a turbo over a supercharger for high elevations. I am not real knowlagable in this area and am building a 5.4 for my truck and was looking at doing one or the other but can't decide.
Thanks Joe

 

For the same reason you would want one for lower elevations. The power required to spin a turbo is much less than that of a Supercharger.
Hypothetical situation. 260 Hp 5.4 V8. Estimated values: 75 hp to spin a supercharger vs 10 for a turbo. Lets assume that 15 psi will add 200 more HP to your engine. Math: Supercharger 75 vs Turbo 10. Supercharger 260 + 200 - 75 = 385 HP. Turbo 260 + 200 - 10 = 450 HP.

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Turbos build their own atmosphere irregardless to their elevation. You get 10 psi at sea-level and 10psi at 10K feet. This is also the reason why most small high elevation planes have turbos on them.

With a supercharger your results vary. You'll get 10psi at sea-level and then you will get a fall off higher in elevation; I.E. maybe 6-7 psi at 7K feet or less.