Sorry guys, but I’m a newbie, so bare with me please. I have searched the forums and couldn’t really find an answer to this question. Which is “better” a supercharger or a nitrous system. Of course better is a very subjective term so let me try to better define it. Which is a better value for money? (ponies on the dollar) Which is easier to install? Which hurts your engine life more? And which one provides the absolute more horsepower. Also my GT is an automatic, so does this favor one system over the other? I’ve read in a previous post that using both a supercharger and a nitrous system will cause lean enough conditions that will cause the engine to blow.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Mike

 

Best bang for the buck is nitrous no doubt. Superchargers or blowers can make more power overall but they're much more costly.

Reliability between the two both centers around how the car is tuned. If both systems are tuned right, both should be reliable unless you run too much boost than the engine can handle.

Nitrous you can install in a couple hours- blowers usually take a day or more.

Regardless which way you go, you MUST have a dyno tune done by a reputable tuner or else........BOOM is likely what you'll hear. If you get serious about either one, www.brenspeed.com

 

I have the Zex nitrous system now, but I'm going to switch to a S/C this spring. The main reason is with the supercharger the power is there all the time, with the nitrous you have to open the bottle and have it at a certain temperature. They do make remote bottle openers and bottle heaters. The nitrous only activates at wide open throttle, where as the S/C the power is there as soon as you start to step on the throttle and of course builds throughout the entire rpm's. The nitrous last for about 15 sec. then the power is gone, until you go wide open again which you should not do soon after you give it a shot, example your at the track and you go wide open throttle and loose traction and need to get off the throttle and then you go wide open throttle again this could cause a serious engine problem buy dumping the nitrous in to soon.

 

I've run (on an import) both nitrous and later a turbocharger. So as far as those items are concerned, I can comment. I just can't comment on their use on a mustang.

Nitrous is cheap relatively speaking compared to an s/c... but in the long run will be up there.

Have both tuned by a reputable tuner to get the most of them and safety as well.

Both wont affect engine life unless your tuneing sucks or you have a problem or make a mistake.

If you have specific questions about nitrous use, let me know or PM/email me and I'll give you the run down. General good to know info that i've learned.. and can be applied to any nitrous application.

I'm not doing nitrous this time around with this car. I've seen what true FI can do for a car and I'm not settleing for anything less.

 

I agree with Tom. We can better answer your question with a question. What do you want from your car? Daily driver or weekend worrier? Welcome to the forum.
Scott

 

I heard that Bamachips also sells zex and he offers a tune for it as well.

I am looking at adding a zex kit for those moments when the ricer is bumping up his hp by juice.....I shouldnot need it, but either way you hate to lose to rice.

Planning on a zex 75hp shot

 

I hate when you guys that bash the Ricers. I think Rice is Nice if done over a low until tender.
Scott

 

Nice one Scott!

Hey traffic142- the 75 horse Zex shot will net you about 60 horses at the wheels if dyno-tuned. I've seen one installed on a car with longtubes, pullies, etc. and he was at around 300 horse- with the 75 shot, he got to around 360. Please make sure you get an actual dyno tune if you do the kit. Just FYI for what its worth, that's all.

 

Well the GT is my daily driver. However I live in Kuwait where there are only "suggested" speed limits and most of the roads are track caliber. I commute to work averaging 100mph. So its not a typical daily driver in that sense. There are very few ricers here, as most of the filthy rich residents buy Porsches, Masserati's and Ferraris (more as a show of wealth than actual appreciation for the car). Basically I wanna show those ****ers what a mean lean Mustang can do. It seems from all the replies that I will probably go with a supercharger (once I save up a little for it). I just hope to find a competent tuner here, not only for the s/c but also to make use of the 99Octane gas at $0.73/gallon (It pays to live on top of an oil well).

Thanks for all the replies and the warm welcome
Mike

 

Personally, I'd rather have boost than N02. I'd rather pay the larger lump sum up-front then not have to worry about anything else after getting it tuned. I would not like to keep paying for N02 every time it runs out, and having to keep it at the right temperature, opening and closing the bottle, removing the bottle, and so on. (not to mention, having a tune for N02, and one with out N02) Boost won't run out after so many races like N02 will.

Thats just my opinion anyway.

 

Hmmm... I did'nt consider the temperature. In summer the temp. can easily reach 135F here. I'm guessing a full nitrous tank in a locked car in this hell heat can cause a serious explosion on its own. That settles it, its a supercharger for me... Now i just need to rob a bank

 

Isn't the optimal bottle temperature somewhere around 80 degrees? (for a full bottle). I don't know how much outside temperature will affect the bottle in the car, but if it does, you could get a larger bottle and not fill it all the way up, less pressure that way (and so it would need to be hotter to have optimal pressure, correct?) I don't know enough to answer that, just enough to blow something up

But with outside temps that hot, you'll probably want an intercooler for your boost, as I bet the engine will be running hot.

 

What exactly do you want to do??.... Its that simple -

If you want a daily driver with some extra serious get-up-and-go, get the SC.

If you plan on consistent running at the track or doing alot of 'playing' on the streets, get the bottle....

 

BTW - a JDM Saleen Series VI kit will set you up right - you'll have a proven, dependable twin screw supercharger with built in intercooler that runs at moderate boost and good power levels. With the bypass valve, it curtails making extra heat and wear on the engine because at easy cruise, you don't need to make boost, so it doesn't.

Not to mentrion JDMs intimate knowledge of the unit and their great tunes.

 

Temperature that keeps the nitrous pressure between 800-1000psi is best... over that the nitrous tends to become a gas before getting into the intake tract... and below it you tend to have the liquid state go into your intake tract and risk puddleing....

For 135 degree weather... a supercharger and a nice tune..


.73c/gallon for 99octane..... I hate you!

 

I agree with the others here. For your situation with the high heat and all I would also go with the supercharger with an intercooler. At those temps detonation could really be a problem. But having 99 octane will be a big help. Good luck! Are you Canadian? Yea?
Scott

 

Due to your vague questions, I would say a Supercharger will be best for your application.

You would be smart to gather as much info on N2O before jumping on that bandwagon. It's far too easy to toast your motor if you don't know what your doing.

A blower will be hasslefree (for the most part) and you will have endless potential with most of the available kits.

Being in Kuwait, I don't you have any reputable tuners in your area, so I'd suggest the JDM Saleen VI Series Stage II Kit. It'll net you close to 460-470rwhp and a reliable mail order tune.

They have over 500 kits out there right now, with not a single blown motor! How's that for a reputation.

However, if you are feeling up to it, the Kenne Bell 2.6L is, by far, the best blower for those looking for maximum performance out of their blowers. Mine is rated at 950HP!

 

950 HORSEPOWER!!! Please take no offense, but I have to say just one thing.
Scott

P.S. We could start a completely new thread off this one statement. Maybe you forgot to add the smiley face. Right?

 

Check out Brenspeed.com he has a s/c on his own car and also will send you a tune. His unit is much cheaper then the saleen.

 

Come on now!

I'm saying that the 2.6L is RATED at 950HP!

I'm not even close to those numbers!

Reread my post, and you'll see that I was referring to the potential of the Kenne Bell.

Boo this man!