Great posts guys-

One of the mechanics at my local Ford dealer(Fred Jones of Oklahoma) was the one who told me of the Kenne Bell needing rebuilt after 15K, but Kenne Bell has no web site so I couldnt verify this information, (Just a mechanics word). It wasnt my intention to give anyone a negative opinion.

I am still trying to locate more literature on the Roots type (Magnuson) and the Twin screw type (Kenne Bell). To compare the two. Will let everyone know what I find.

 

Ya know, I was born in Tulsa and I used to live in Mustang. Has anything changed in OKC?

Mudder and I make it to Tulsa and Stillwater now and again. Do you want to get together at the Power Tour? I understand HOTROD magazine will be in the OKC area on June 5th and in Tulsa on the 6th.

 

The mechanic must have been mistakened for the rebuild time for the KB. The oil needs to be changed every 12-15K not a rebuild. The blower itself will last easily for 100K miles and one person on the mustang board reported 150,000 with no problems. I myself love the KB on my expedition and have had no problems whatsoever...just horrible wheelspin. I got Jim Bell to also through in there shift valve for my E40D which helped firm up the shifts a quite a bit. Overall, I love the kit and am waiting to Dyno it.

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97 expedition 4x4-3.55Ls 5.4 leather cd changer husky floormats 17" eagle alloys-Painted "starboard" running boards-Custom Wet Okole seat covers with "Expedition" logos-egr painted fender flares-painted ventvisors-bug deflector- 10% window tint-chrome warn brushgaurd with xd9000i winch-Ion driving lights-Kenne Bell Blowzilla Supercharger dual 4" chrome tips with flowmaster 40 series-Jba headers-3x10 inch Mtx blue thunder subs-1x12 inch mtx blue thunder sub-Rockford fosgate 1100 watt amp-2 Alpine 500 watt amps-Panasonic day/night reciever-4 polk 5x7 speakers-2 pioneer truck box speakers-3 12 inch neon blue tubes under all seats...and much more

 

Hey crash1

Let me know more about the event and I will try to make it, like where it is. No nothing has changed in OKC, just gotten bigger. I went to school in Stillwater (OSU). Now getting masters at OU. (VERY different school).

Slick X thanks for the post, do you know where I can get some info or reading material on that? They dont have a website, so its difficult to find. I am going to be at the dealer this coming week (brakes) and I will ask that mechanic again, and see if he can be more specific.

 

BluOval, you may want to call kenne bell directly and ask for some literature to be shipped to you. their number is (909)941-6646 or thier tech line at (909)941-0985....

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97 expedition 4x4-3.55Ls 5.4 leather cd changer husky floormats 17" eagle alloys-Painted "starboard" running boards-Custom Wet Okole seat covers with "Expedition" logos-egr painted fender flares-painted ventvisors-bug deflector- 10% window tint-chrome warn brushgaurd with xd9000i winch-Ion driving lights-Kenne Bell Blowzilla Supercharger dual 4" chrome tips with flowmaster 40 series-Jba headers-3x10 inch Mtx blue thunder subs-1x12 inch mtx blue thunder sub-Rockford fosgate 1100 watt amp-2 Alpine 500 watt amps-Panasonic day/night reciever-4 polk 5x7 speakers-2 pioneer truck box speakers-3 12 inch neon blue tubes under all seats...and much more

 

I have really enjoyed the posts about the magnacharger but it's raised a few questions I have. Do you have to run premium gas or can you still run regular? If premium, what octane at least? Does the kit come with a chip or do you run the stock program or have to buy a superchip? The problem I have with the superchip is the additional cost for premium but would like to do away with the RPM & speed limiters in the stock program. How has this affected your gas mileage? Better? Worse? Same? I tend to drive like grandpa 98% of the time. Does it take any special tools to install or can install myself? Is there even a kit available for my 2001 supercrew, 5.4, 4x4 yet? I know Ford calls it a low emmisions vehicle but I don't know if this is different than the 2000 5.4. Sorry for the long post and probably stupid questions but no one better to ask than those with experience. Thanks again!!!!!

 

These are all excellent questions.

Yes, the literature recommends 92 octane or higher. I plan to evaluate the lowest octane possible without detonation. If your driving style does not change, you will realize better economy, as your engine will become much more efficient. With gains like this, I have no problem running a little higher octane. The main concern here is to avoid detonation.

The tools list is very basic but does require a torque wrench (ft/lbs.) and fuel line tools. You will find the intake manifold swap is no problem. If you want a specific tool list, drop me a line.

The kit works with stock components, save the fuel pump. You will not NEED a Superchip, however, I certainly recommend a one to firm up the shifts and eliminate the top end speed limiter. Any automatic will last longer with firmer shifts (within reason).

I am unaware of any changes in the 5.4 from '00 to '01.

More to come.

[This message has been edited by crash1 (edited 05-29-2000).]

 

Blueoval-

I am an OSU graduate myself. I have to admit, though, Norman knows how to party! Stillwater has calmed down alot since that shooting at Joe's weekend.

Drop me a line and I will forward you some info on the Power tour.

 

OK I am limited in terms of cash but the question that bothers me is, VORTECH or PAXTON and why?

 

What turbo or super-charged vehicle do you know of that is recommended for towing over 5,000 pounds?

I know of no turbo/super-charged vehicle that is (don't give me some obscure zillion-dollar German/Italian techno-ride).

The Lightning, a less-than-5,000 pound vehicle, is only recommended for towing 5,000 pounds -- whereas my 5,500 pound slug with the 5.4 is recommended (by Ford) to tow up to 8,000 pounds.

With the exception of the diesel engine, where massive bottom-end hardware is designed for better than 21:1 compression ratios and WOT right from the start, turbo/super-charged light-weight engines are designed for exhiliating stoplight performance of limited duration.

Assuming that there's a 25% 'cushion' in the design of the modern engine -- adding another 30+ percent with a supercharger without the strengthened lower-end componentry is just begging for trouble.

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I would look for a compressor with a self-contained lubrication system. In addition, I would stay away from tapping the oil pan for ANY reason. Modifying the oiling system may void your warranty.

Towing capacity is a function of all systems combined. supercharging may provide more power, but there are many other things to consider when increasing towing capacity.

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'98 4.6 5-speed
BRING US YOUR TUNDRA!

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MAGNACHARGER
ALLEN

 

I will take a stab at this. Let me first say that I do work at Vortech Engineering. I just saw this thread and I have some comments. To start with lots of people offer supercharger kits for the 4.6 and 5.4 engines. Next, you should look for the warranty. Vortech offers a Three Year warranty on our superchargers when purchased in kit form at no charge. I do not know if any other manufacturer is that confident in their product. Roots superchargers give you instant throttle response, but do so at a loss of efficiency in the middle to upper rpm band. The reason for this is because the supercharger is still spinning, but creating the same amount of boost. This creates a parasitic loss of horsepower the faster the unit spins. Furthermore, roots superchargers at best offer around 50% adiabatic efficiency. A centrifugal supercharger (Vortech) creates it's horsepower in the middle to upper rpm bands, but does not do much in the low rpm band (idle to 1500). Our centrifugal supercharger for the Ford Trucks is 72% adiabatic efficient. This efficiency number equates to cooler discharge temperatures and low parasitic loss. I can also provide compressor maps for our superchargers and actual discharge temperatures from our supercharer dyno. How about 176 degrees at 8 psi and only taking 22 horsepower to drive the supercharger at 8 psi! Try asking the other guy's for compressor maps and details like this and see what they say. For towing, the 5.4 engine is well suited. It makes 350 ft/lbs of torque at only 2500 rpm's, which is right where our supercharger starts making significant boost. Our supercharger at only 7 psi makes 322 horsepower at around 5000 rpm's and 420 ft/lbs of torque. Also, I do not know anyone who tow's anything at 2000 rpm's, except when travelling on a straight and even road. When I have towed trailers, etc., it is usually around 3000-4000 rpm at least when going up hills. I now own an Expedition and after a few thousand miles to break the drive-train in, it will be getting a supercharger. Someone had mentioned to stay away from using a supercharger that uses an oil drain into the oil pan. We have been selling supercharger kits for over ten years and have literally thousands of kits on all types of cars. This system is the best suited and most reliable in the industry. By the way, we also offer a new supercharger that is virtually quiet at idle and still delivers the same horsepower as our noisier units. Will Powerdyne give you a Three Year warranty on their supercharger? My comments are not intended as any type of a flame against any other supercharger manufacturer. They are intended to educate and to show the other side of the story. Take care all.

[This message has been edited by Steven_B (edited 06-01-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Steven_B (edited 06-01-2000).]

 

Steven_B
Magnacharger comes with a standard 3 year warranty, and all the arcticles I read comparing centrifugal superchargers to roots styles said that the centrifugal only had a portion of boost starting at the mid range and didn't max boost until you were high in the rpm's. the roots and twin screw styles offer full boost at approx. 1500 rpm not 5000. I'm not trying to start an arguement, just trying to understand. I live at 6000ft above sea level and need all the power I can get at a low rpm, when I come off the light with a load behind my truck it can seem like forever until you hit 2500 rpm.

 

Steven_B,
I'm going to stir the hornet's nest a little here. Have you seen Procharger's web site yet? I'm specifically referring to the "head to head dyno test" page. It slams Vortech pretty hard. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a preference to anyone's supercharger. It's some interesting reading though. I'm curious, what are your thoughts on their claims? It's obvious what their's are on Vortech.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, Airaid, 80/100w German head lamps. Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount. Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries. Torsion bars cranked up 2 turns. Needs one more door and a lot more power. I think I need to talk to Mr. Whipple.



[This message has been edited by 98fword (edited 06-03-2000).]

 

We are in current litigation with them. We claimed misleading advertisement and they inturn desided to sue us for whatever I do not know. I cannot talk much because I work for Vortech, but when you are on top, everyone tries to knock you off. They are going to have to push much harder before we give an inch. They are giving product away in an effort to knock us off. Last time I looked, if you give too much product away, you eventually go away. This is not the first company to attack our dominance and it will not be the last. It is a very competetive market. By the way, be very careful when reading about their claims of superiority. Their are many people that have tried both products and our's generally prevail. The only thing is, we do not just give product away to everybody in an attempt to win them over. Our products are the best and we have thousands of people who swear by it. Take care.