Superchargers and everyday driving

[Taelo]

how much wear does installing a turbo/supercharger put on the engine? My job requires me to travel quite a bit so I am just wondering what kind of strain a mod like this will have on my car.

Thanks in advance for your input

[SMOKE]

If properly installed and maintained a power adder of either type can last the life of the vehicle.

I've put almost 100K on mine.

[Shay]

In my vast self proclaimed knowledge (which is thin) turbochargers can present a lot more wear and tear on an engine simply because of the heat they create under the hood. Although some well engineered set-ups negate that.

As to boost, intercoolers now cool the charge for both types of boost so intake heat is really no longer a problem for either.

[AfTeR_ShOcK]

As long as you arent always in boost (under 2500 rmps for most FI applications), you wont be putting much more wear on your engine as driving n/a.

I think that superchargers are not fond of constant WOT (5th gear on like a cross country trip).

[Taelo]

I was always under the impression that you didn't want the turbo/super charger engaged unless you were actually stomping the throttle. If I am cruising down the interstate at 85 mph, it is more than likely going to be engaged.

This would tear up the engine? especially during those 800 mile trips?

[DevilSun]

You shouldn't have any problems as long as you're not full boost all the time, in either power adder formula. Yeah, turbo's add heat under the hood and should be cooled down if driven hard then shut down or for very long periods/trips before shutting down. A gauge can help you with this, or even a nice alarm/chip indash unit can do this...Edge makes a module for my PowerStroke which will keep the turbo on and turning until it reaches a specific low temperature. If you don't allow it cool down, you risk damaging the bearings on the turbo and will need it rebuilt/replaced...this obviously doesn't apply to the S/C nearly at all.

[RickRoush03]

should have no issues as long as you do reg maintenance, have it properly installed and tuned.

[Taelo]

when you say properly tuned...who does this? Ford?

[Roushinator]

Originally Posted by Taelo

when you say properly tuned...who does this? Ford?

A shop that has a tuner and a dyno

[00roush]

Well you have to understand that a supercharger or turbocharger don't really stay on or off all the time. They are just an air compressor if you get right down to it. One runs off of motor power (belt or gear) and the other runs off exhaust. When you are just cruising on the freeway your foot is not very far down on the throttle and therefore not spinning the supercharger or turbo very fast. Thus not making much boost. Also the throttle body plate is not open very far and not allowing much extra air to enter the motor.

Anyway the reason a supercharger or turbo would make the engine wear more is because you are forcing more air into the motor and making much more power than originally intended. But with most superchargers or turbos at cruising and light loads you are not forcing any extra air into the motor. (or making any boost as it is called) So in these cases you would not be putting much more stress on the motor than normal.

Might not be the best at explaining it but basically you shouldn't have to worry much about hurting the motor on long trips. The only time you have to worry is when you have your foot to the floor because that is usually when most motors blow.

00Roush

[Star Driver]

Originally Posted by 00roush

Well you have to understand that a supercharger or turbocharger don't really stay on or off all the time. They are just an air compressor if you get right down to it. One runs off of motor power (belt or gear) and the other runs off exhaust. When you are just cruising on the freeway your foot is not very far down on the throttle and therefore not spinning the supercharger or turbo very fast. Thus not making much boost. Also the throttle body plate is not open very far and not allowing much extra air to enter the motor.

Anyway the reason a supercharger or turbo would make the engine wear more is because you are forcing more air into the motor and making much more power than originally intended. But with most superchargers or turbos at cruising and light loads you are not forcing any extra air into the motor. (or making any boost as it is called) So in these cases you would not be putting much more stress on the motor than normal.

Might not be the best at explaining it but basically you shouldn't have to worry much about hurting the motor on long trips. The only time you have to worry is when you have your foot to the floor because that is usually when most motors blow.

00Roush

Good explaination, as long as you take care of it, it will last.

[HighDensity007]

If I wanted to, I could drive mine as a daily driver, I just don't want to spend the money on all that gas which is why I drive a ricer to work(40 miles one way). I've taken my car on long drives such as the beach, from Baltimore to Atlantic City, from Baltimore to Luray Caverns in Luray, VA etc and have not had any problems. The A/C blows cold and I've gotten 13(city)-20(hwy) miles per gallon.

The key to keeping a stock 4.6 SOC reliable is keeping the boost low (under 10psi, preferably no more than 8psi) and have a safe tune. Boost is boost, whether it be NOS, turbo, or supercharger...you can't go stomping the pedal everywhere you go from red light to red light like some people do and wonder why the have problems.

A turbo will net you more power, but, sometimes they have a mind of their own (with all of the 1,000,000 little parts that go with them) and you can make enough power to blow a stock block with a supercharger anyway.

I think enough is said when a Stage 3 Roush pushes 6psi and go last over 100K...low boost and good driving habits. You defintely want to go intercooled in some form, air-to-air or air-to-water.

[Taelo]

what kind of horsepower gains can I get from a supercharger?

[SteveL]

From my understanding, the biggest factor is cylinder pressure. There are several ways to increase peak cylinder pressure. Forced induction, nitrous, or simply increase compression ratio. All have setup, installation, and maintenance issues but all result in increased cylinder pressure to increase torque and thus horsepower.

The stress on the block and rotating assembly is going to be most affected by peak cylinder pressure and max rpms. How and with what type of components used in the construction of the motor will set an upper limit on both of those.

[Taelo]

how can I determine those limits ahead of time? or is that simply not possible?

[RoushRocks]

you keep your horsepower at or below 400 u should be fine with a good tune. Over that, then you need to look at building your motor

[00roush]

Originally Posted by RoushRocks

you keep your horsepower at or below 400 u should be fine with a good tune. Over that, then you need to look at building your motor

What he said. It is generally agreed upon that 400 hp is the magic number with the motors in these cars.

Most supercharger kits will add at least 100 hp. In reality you can make upwards of 1000 hp with a supercharger if you really want. It just depends on how much boost you want to run. As was mentioned our motors cannot take much more than 10 lbs of boost and last very long.

So at around 9lbs of boost the motors in our cars will usually end up with 380-415 rwhp. Some make more some make less each car is a bit different.

00Roush

[HighDensity007]

Originally Posted by Taelo

what kind of horsepower gains can I get from a supercharger?

On our cars and 8psi-10psi, usually 50-70% increase. The stock block is the limiter, I'd stay under 450 rwhp with a good tune on a stock block and don't drive it like an @SShole.

[Firemanz]

I've had my blower on for about 2 1/2 years with ZERO problems. I don't drive like an @sshole though and the car is only driven on nice days now. The most important things are to get a safe tune, do the regular maintenance, and wait to be in operating temps before getting into boost.