Ok, looking at purchasing a Kenne Bell twin screw 6psi supercharger. The only thing really holding me back right now is that i'm not exactly sure how to install one, and how it goes together. Anyone done this before? I know my way around an engine, or could figure it out, but I'd like to know exactly what i'm getting in to. One more thing, would I be able to run the engine w/o the supercharger on in any way? As in, remove the belt to the supercharger and use the stock belt if I ever wanted to not have the supercharger working? Any other information you can add would be helpful, thanks.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin

 

>One more thing, would I be able to run the engine w/o the >supercharger on in any way? As in, remove the belt to the >supercharger and use the stock belt if I ever wanted to not have the >supercharger working? Any other information you can add would be >helpful, thanks. }
>Justin

This will probably be of little help but is certainly interesting. I think this has been done, but with the use of an electric clutch. Like on you're a/c compressor. However I think it was done with a roots style blower. The best and only documentation I can give you is a scene from Mad Max that shows a shot of this setup. Yeah I know, movies aren't real. But I've heard of this being done elsewhere. I just don't have any documentation. Which means I could be full of xxxx. A little research might get it for you. Then again you might be chasing a hollywood dream.

I hope you've at least been entertained.

 

Been thinking about it. You'd have to have a by-pass tube around the supercharger that could be shut and sealed when the super charger was in use. That wouldn't actually be that hard. The real problem as I see it would be when you turned it on. It'd require one stout clutch. Although you could relieve some strain by starting the SC with the bypass tube open. Also going to have problems with belt strength and shock. That's a lot of mass to start turning instantly. If the belt could be made to hold it'd probably rip the keyway right out of the harmonic balancer. A second keyway might help. But at what point would it just snap the cranksnout off. I guess the point is if it was pracical you could go buy one at the local speed shop. Still, very interesting.

 

You know SC can pull as much as 80 HP of your crank to make them turn right? Why do you think some of them have HUGE toothed belts? Although the KB one may not I am pretty sure it will draw more HP than any cheap clutch you may be able to find. I think your truck will run poor if you don't put a bypass valve inplace like someone else mentioned. The screws turn under low load all the time. If driven conservatively (yeah right!) a SC will increase mileage, especially when towing, if that is your concern. Why do you want to be able to turn it off?

 

I don't really need it to be turned off, I just thought it would be a nice thing to be able to do. Mind if I ask where your 80hp number comes from? Not trying to be a jerk but I think it's more towards 40-50. The 6psi kit will give me about 100 more hp total, probably a tad less. The stock belt isn't used on the supercharger but belt wise it wouldn't be a problem if I just put the stock belt on the front accessorys and skipped the SC. I know that the Mustang Super Stallion has a SC that is able to be turned on and off, just wondering if it was easy to do because I think it would be a neat feature to have. If for any reason I didn't want the SC on, like a long highway trip where I don't need the 1-2psi boost I'd shut it down. I guess that particular question would be more aimed at KB vs you guys. Just trying to see what you guys can bring to the table for information.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

I don't know if the screw type compressors will allow air to pass through while not spinning. If they do it should run, but it'd be a air flow restriction. Fuel mileage and power would probably tank. I'd not advise doing it. You're SC manufacturer put a lot of R&D into making it work just so. If you're still interested, nobody knows that particular system better than the people who designed and tested it.

 

Yeah, I think you are right.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

I talked to Vortech about thier 460 kit. They told me at max boost the SC can pull up to 80 HP off the crank. Which is why they recommended I do not go over 5 psi of boost without engine mods. The parasitic loss and additional heat generation would also require an intercooler. This all from a guy who also told me he wouldn't recommend supercharging my rig, even after rebuilding it.

 

Well that's centrifugal, probably different than twin screw. Kenne Bell says you don't need an intercooler for 6psi. 80hp sounds like an awful lot so I am a little hesitant with that number but either way it doesn't matter, I still get a good 90-100hp from this 6psi kit. They said no major modifications like injectors or anything. I'm just curious what the installation is like.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

the kenne bell install is easy. basically you replace the lower intake with the blower itself. if you can do an intake gasket job then you can handle it. not sure of the other componentry but id imagine it comes with an fmu which hooks inline with the return fuel line and a boost a pump. that basically gets wired in. very simple! more so than a centrifugal. and i dont believe that you can run the truck without driving the blower. i do know that it uses the same belt to drive the blower as the ascessories.

 

The install will probably take you a weekend if you take your time and follow through the instructions. The Bell kit should come with the bypass valve included - it will dump unneeded boost when you are not getting in the gas. No, it would not be a good idea to put the charger on, then put your stock serpentine on and try to bypass the charger altogether. The Bell uses a twin screw blower like the Eatons and Whipples. If you don not have the screws turning, they will block airflow through the intake and you would have a bad problem then. Plus you have at least 1-2 more idler puleeys to install to make the charger turn properly.

I installed my Eaton in a weekend. I also chnged the lower intake, manifold gasskets, valve cover gasket, and injectors also. It is not hard to do, just plan a weekend of taking your time to make sure you do it right and not try to rush through it...

 

I heard the KB instructions where horrible so i wanted to ask here and see what kind of information I could get. Anyone else if you have anything to add please go for it. Thanks.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

I have looked at getting a Kenne Bell SC, and would rather get them than a Vortech. Mostly due to the higher heat generation of centrifugals. The Vortech also does not supply full boost until you are almost at redline, 5000 rpms for my truck. You will start to get some boost around 2500 rpm, but only 1-2 psi. Where the KB will give you full boost, and less heat at 2000 rpms all the way through to redline. Due to the more efficient nature of the KB they require less crankshaft HP than centrifugals.

Anyone got and old KB SC for a 460 they wanna sell....:-X12

 

I had these links marked, and you may have already seen them, but if not you may want to read through them:

[link:www.kennebell.net/techinfo/ford-techinfo/ford-trucks-and-suvs.pdf|Info on Gains]


[link:www.kennebell.net/techinfo/ford-techinfo/blowzilla-flowzilla.pdf|Flow Chart Comparison]


[link:www.kennebell.net/techinfo/general-info/jimbells-supercharged-perf-guide.pdf|Performance Guide]


I was looking at their install instructions online yesterday, but can't find it again this morning. I know its on their site somewhere, but if you decide to get one and need a hand - give me a yell...