I'm getting ready to build a 5.0L stroked and bored to a 347 for my 3/4 ton tow rig project. The plan calls for 9:1 compression, GT40P heads, shorty headers, a 5.0L HO roller cam advanced 4 degrees, 1.7:1 roller rockers, and 5.0L truck EFI system. The transmission will be a ZF S5-42 OD 5-speed. I'm looking for excellent reliability and fuel economy coupled with plenty of pulling grunt.

I was moving some stuff around the shop today and I ran across a leftover from a project that never got off the ground. I've got a gently used Kenne bell twin screw supercharger kit that fits a truck 5.8L. I bought it quite a few years ago and keep thinking I need to sell it, but I paid too much for it to begin with and I know I'll lose my **** if I do. I looked it over and did a little checking and this thing will fit a truck 5.0L also by just redrilling two holes in the snout support bracket. Now the wheels are turning in my head!

With the low end gains that the twin screw design blowers are know for, I think I'd have an almost ideal tow rig powerplant. I'd have big block power on tap when the trailer's on with excellent driveability and no loss of fuel economy during normal driving. In addition, I've been on the fence about whether to run 3.73 or 4.10 gears. With a normally aspirated 347, 3.73's would probably be marginal for towing with 32" tires, but the fuel usage scares me with 4.10's. A blown 347, on the other hand, would handle the job with 3.73's and not even break a sweat.

And then we can't forget the wow factor when you pop the hood! This isn't my pic, but this is the same kit I've got:



So does anybody have any experience with a supercharger on a tow rig? Anything I'm overlooking (other than fuel system mods and timing retard - got that covered) or problems with the combo I'm looking at? I've had this blower for 10 years but I've never had it on anything and I'm not quite sure exactly what to expect.

 

Run spark plugs that are one heat range colder than stock and gap them closer.

 

I would opt out of the stroker 347, and make the jump straight to a rebuilt 351w with a stout lower end. Hell you could even stroke out the 351w and make a real stump puller with a set of AFR185s and a blower cam.