I was just told that if I run a Pete Jackson noisy gear drive on my 96 5.8l then I will have problems with the knock sensor retarding the timing. I sure wanted to hear that whine. That being said, I guess I will have to go for the real thing.

I want a little more power and a supercharger sound. What bolt on set up should I go with and will this at all help a little with mpg? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

96 5.8 DO NOT have a knock sensor. At least I cant find one in any of my service manuals. Paxton SCs have a whine, but run very hot. Powerdynes have a slight whine at idle, but are dry run systems and run much cooler than Paxtons. Both of these generally run 6-14 psi depending on what size pully you use. Prochargers make 12-30psi, and have one hell of a lot of whine. You will need a bypass valve with these. They sound cool, and make loads of power. Your bottom end and heads + the trans better be up to the task.
As for the gas milage, the paxton and the powerdyne will give you 1-2 mpg better fuel economy, but with 4.88 gears, you must only be getting 7-9mpg anyway, so 8-10 is not that much different.

Have fun!

 

NONE of the 5.8's have a knock sensor.

 

Did I read right? A supercharger will give you better milage! I got 4.88 gears and I get 14MPG. I sure would like to get 15. is that milage better at highway/city or both. I wouldnt figure on better milage if I got my foot in it, but I'm looking for on highway at 70 MPH.

 

No knock sensor to worry about with the gear drive, huh... Thats good news then! Are there any real issues then with putting one on? Has anyone heard or seen any documented damage a gear drive has done to a 96 5.8l motor?

I really want a Pete Jackson setup but, not if it will hurt my truck in any way. That being said I have about $500.00 or so to play with for now and I'm looking at adding a throttle body. What other mods would yall recommend along with my gear drive set up?

 

There's a detailed article kicking around the internet, featuring a Bronco with 2 Eaton 90 blowers installed. They were used on a V6 T-Bird Supercoupe at one time, and are pretty cheap. A lot of skill was needed to make it all work, but it put out (if I remember right) nearly 500 horsepower. Not bad, for an otherwise stock engine. I have always used an intercooler with an forced induction. This takes care of the hot intake air problem. I don't like the centrifugal type superchargers on a heavy vehicle. The roots style begins making power at near idle, and the Paxton/Powerdyne type make power at a higher rpm. Good for light cars, but.......
As far as the geardrive? I hated mine. For the street, a good double true roller is the chit for me. The geardrives whine, but not a blower sound. It grew old on me after the first day.