Some deep thought on forced induction.

[Randee of the Redwoods]

This is totally a philisophical discussion. No flames. No polls. No debates. No he-said-she-said. I'm asking a totally legitimate question. Here's my story.
Vortech and ATI both have kits for 03 Cobras. MM&FF put the ATI on a Cobra and made 655rwhp which says to me that 700+rwhp is possible with the proper setup. My 03 Cobra is my second roots blown car so I understand the power delivery. I have a 2006 Duramax Silverado so now I understand turbo delivery(and love it!). But what does 700 centrifigal horsepower feel like? What's the dyno curve like? I was a bit miffed that MM&FF didn't print a graph and instead printed rpm vs power lists. I'm just curious as to how a ceintrifigal blower feels. Can you really go wrong? I know the rising rate power delivery will be less stressful on the engine than a whipple or eaton. I understand that I won't have 90000000 torque at 3000rpm due to the physics involved. Me, personally, I'm still aiming for 700-800rwhp but the cost of turbo setups just doesn't work for me. So, I continue to dream. But I haven't heard of any contrifigal blown 03's. So can you really go wrong? It'll still be plenty fast, right? It'll still roast tires on demand and pull like a freight train until either the road or tach runs out, right? I guess I'm so sketchy about the centri blowers because I have no experience with them and never ridden in a car powered by one. So, I ask for thoughts and opinions on this as I'm just looking for some thoughful conversation.:thumbsup:

 

[sambandit]

The centri's didn't get a fair shake on our cars IMHO. The Procharger was riddled with problems to begin with. They would throw belts among other things. But, I think those problems are solved now.

The will start to build boost about 3 grand depending on how much boost you are running. The more boost, the earlier in the power band it will start pulling.

I have 2 centrifugals cars personally and have built many others. If they are setup properly, you dont miss the 500 ft lbs at 3000 rpms, at least I dont. They are still plenty fast, and pull like a freight train up top, without a doubt. I know some people like the instant gratification of the screw or roots setup, but I like the centris equally as well. Just takes a little practice on learning how to drice the car, that's all.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

If you can deal with the softer low end, skip the headache and wasted money and time of a centrifugal kit and put on a turbo kit. All things considered, the turbo kit will be about the same price in the long run to get 700-800 WHP, It will be easier on the motor, and still have more potential than any type of supercharger.

 

[Bullitt4110]

Like LargeOrangeFont said by the time you get everything need to put a centri kit on you will be around the same price as a turbo. I had a Vortech on my Bullitt when I had it and it was fun, but snice my cars are for the street mainly it doesnt even compare to the instat power of the roots type.

 

[Randee of the Redwoods]

Yea, I did notice the prices kinda getting close, but I was figuring just the kit prices. Clutch and fuel upgrades are the same across the board so I wasn't really counting them in. I was mainly looking at the some $2000 lower price for the centri kits.
And I do somewhat agree that if I'm really hell bent on that kind of power, I need to step up and do it right. It's just that the turbos are complicated(from an install pov) compared to a blower install. I'm just a bit scatterbrained right now. I can't hook up my 450 or so rwhp let alone wanting to ADD another 300. Go figure. And as for the "soft low end", I can deal with that. My Duramax doesn't come on the turbo until about 2000rpms and I work with it. But when it does, watch out! And I know that a little tuning and careful parts selection can help tune some of that out on the Cobra.
The real core of "ultimate project" is to max out pump gas power. I live on the Right coast so 93 octane is plentiful. My only caveat is having to be emissions friendly. I was under the assumption that the centri would be easier to tune therefore have a better chance at legality. But I'm also aware that an "ultimate project" might not be welcome everywhere if you know what I mean.
Eh, it's only money. And when I find enough, I'll get started. I'll be putting up a few posts to sort out some info I need but thanks for understanding my original post. You guys really came through.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yea, I did notice the prices kinda getting close, but I was figuring just the kit prices. Clutch and fuel upgrades are the same across the board so I wasn't really counting them in. I was mainly looking at the some $2000 lower price for the centri kits.
And I do somewhat agree that if I'm really hell bent on that kind of power, I need to step up and do it right. It's just that the turbos are complicated(from an install pov) compared to a blower install. I'm just a bit scatterbrained right now. I can't hook up my 450 or so rwhp let alone wanting to ADD another 300. Go figure. And as for the "soft low end", I can deal with that. My Duramax doesn't come on the turbo until about 2000rpms and I work with it. But when it does, watch out! And I know that a little tuning and careful parts selection can help tune some of that out on the Cobra.
The real core of "ultimate project" is to max out pump gas power. I live on the Right coast so 93 octane is plentiful. My only caveat is having to be emissions friendly. I was under the assumption that the centri would be easier to tune therefore have a better chance at legality. But I'm also aware that an "ultimate project" might not be welcome everywhere if you know what I mean.
Eh, it's only money. And when I find enough, I'll get started. I'll be putting up a few posts to sort out some info I need but thanks for understanding my original post. You guys really came through.

From an install perspective, a turbo kit is going to be slightly more work, and just about as complicated. With both centri, and a turbo you are really completely tearing down the intake side of the motor. Obviously with the turbo you are messing with exhaust too, but if you are going for 700-800 HP you will be installing headers with any setup you go with.

You will definately be able to attain more HP on pump gas with a turbo setup, and it is not any more complicated to tune.

 

[Chrome98Cobra]

Just for something to compare to, my buddy has a 03 Cobra with the ONLY mod being a Vortech T trim with the aftercooler. At only 13psi it made 500RWHP and 450ft lbs, this was on a Dynapack chassis dyno with a safe tune.
Mark

 

[SVTboy]

If you can deal with the softer low end, skip the headache and wasted money and time of a centrifugal kit and put on a turbo kit. All things considered, the turbo kit will be about the same price in the long run to get 700-800 WHP, It will be easier on the motor, and still have more potential than any type of supercharger.

+1... If your able to save a few extra bucks go with the turbo...