The reason that Ford switched to the Whipple Chargers is the same reason that I wouldn't go with a Roush either... Roush superchargers are Eaton roots type blowers.... they are not nearly as efficient as a Lysholm compressor which is what is inside the KB and Whipple, and Saleen SCs. The twin screw blowers give you much more bang for your buck over the roots. If Roush is charging the same amount that Whipple, KB and Saleen are... then they're banking off of people ignorance.
To each their own.. but there have been many discussions in these forums about superchargers, and several links that explain the differences in detail... I think it would be beneficial for anyone considering an SC to read through these so they can at least make an educated decision. I know which way I'm gonna go when the time comes (need the same nod from the wife) .... but at least I know exactly why.

 

Well chalk me up for partial ignorance, with that price tag I had just assumed the Roush was a twin screw, not a roots.

 

There is no question that the twin-screw design is more efficient, but that doesn't mean the roots-type is a bad piece. They work just fine on the '03/'04 Cobra. The GT500 will have an Eaton as well and there are advantages for both types. Roush has their reasons for going with the proven Eaton Roots, and I'm sure it's not just to rip off ignorant people like myself.

I can probably make more power for less money with a Vortech, but that doesn't mean it's the right blower for what I want for my car. Been there, done that before.

 

right, right.... and I mixed a little opinion in there when I was really trying to say that people ought to do their homework and decide for themselves.
I guess I didn't mean to come accross that people who by roots blowers are ignorant.... but I do think it's a sham if they're selling for the same price as a twin screw.

 

Here you go Tim... read this first and then make youself an educated descision.

Superchargers 101 part 1 of 3

Superchargers 101 part 2 of 3

Superchargers 101 part 3 of 3

On that site there's tons more information... knock yourself out.

 

Cool! Thanks. I'll read up tonight. But my point is that (for me anyways) there is more criteria than just which compressor is the absolute best in terms of efficiency. It's nice to have as many choices as we do however.

 

 

Well,

I went with saleen ( on order ) for several reasons. Mainly because the KB is more expensive than the Saleen unit and the whipple is not out yet....

The Saleen unit does have one aspect that I liked. Saleen is in the unique position of having to honor a 36/36 warrantee on the cars that they build using this SC on a stock lower unit. In my opinion, ( please note I said opinion ) the Saleen makes good power with the stock pully that is on the "safe side" as compared to other units from manufactures who only have to warrantee the sc unit itself. These other manufactures may be tempted to push the limit a little more on the stock internals....

Also, when it is time to rebuild the engine, I can add forged internals, change the pulley and bump the hp up to the 500hp mark. ( assuming that an auto trans has been built by then that can take that much hp & torque )

Finally, I just liked the looks of the saleen the best. I like the "factory" look it has in the engine compartment. Most people would not even know it has a SC because it is inverted and the pully is hidded by the intake tube. Now I do realise the others would not like this at all and would prefer an SC that stands out like a jewle under the hood...

Also, as a mechanical engineer, I liked the "outside the box" thinking displayed by the Saleen engineers...

You have to admit that it is great to have so many options on a car less the 1 year old....

 

I agree, Jeff.... I'm torn right now between the Saleen and the Whipple when it comes out. I am really impressed with how Saleen inverted the compressor... making use of the valley and actually generating more torque with the long runners. I will be building a forged bottom end before I even get to the blower, so "when" is not so much my concern right now. I guess the warranty on the motor isn't going to be an issue either, since I'll be going straight for 12+ psi when I get the blower... which I'm sure will be in the fine print on the Saleen unit. Which ever one I can get cheaper will probably be the determining factor.

 

I will agree there, so many options with so many different mods and the car is only a year old. Having to make a choice, is better than being stuck with just 1 option.

 

True, but then you have to wonder why so many Cobra owners upgrade to the Kenne-Bell unit. If/when I put a blower on mine, it'll be a twin-screw (most likely the Saleen--the inverted design gets big points).

 

The ROUSHcharger is the ONLY supercharge that will warranty the powertrain for the remainder of the Ford 3/36 warranty. Saleen may warranty their car with the SC but that warranty will not be honored if you just buy the supercharger. I am also torn between the ROUSHcharger, Saleen and the Whipple, but I do like the warranty that ROUSH offers since I only have 2K miles on the car.

As far as the price of the ROUSHcharger, this is a complete kit including:

a larger fresh air inlet, low-restriction air filter, large diameter clean air tube, a single-belt drive system for the ROUSHcharger and all engine accessories, intercooler heat exchanger and pump, and a unique Roush supercharged calibration.

When equipped with high-flow fuel injectors and lower-heat-range spark plugs are also included in the fully integrated package,


Note:You get new Fuel Injectors ans spark plugs. Who else offers that in their kit?

 

First if you're putting a S/C and a custom tune then you shouldn't be worried about voiding the warranty on an engine, IMO. Just eat it. Plus, never have know someone to having problems with their engine in the first 36K.

KB 2.4L is the same unit as for 03-04 Cobra Competition Model
Cold Air Intake
Intercooled
Mass Air Meter
Handheld Tuner
Injectors #39
Boost-A-Pump

And if you add injectors, CAI, and tuner to a Saleen you've reached the price of the KB. So they're basically the same in price if you think about it.

 

 

I think the Saleen is a great choice. I like the way the compressor is hidden by the plenum and intake tube also. I think the Saleen has more potential down the road than the Roush kit for more boost and hp as well. They did a great job with this kit and I'm sure you will be very satisfied with it.

Back to the great supercharger debate...

If I had aspirations to build a 500+ rwhp car, I would definitely be looking at another alternative than the Roushcharger kit. The fact is I don't plan on changing the rods and pistons in my motor and I just want another 100+ hp over stock with all of the reliability and driveability of a stocker. It's really a toss up between Roush and Saleen for me, and right now I just like the Roush a smidgen better knowing that both can provide the performance I want.

 

The drivetrain consists of more than an engine. In my 02 F350 I lost my transmission at 25K so things do break before the 36K warranty expires.

 

ok what about the vortech

 

isn't the GT500 using a roots? here's some evidence...
http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/...sp?ProdID=1223
I assume if whipple is in fact supplying the s/c for the stock GT500 they wouldn't be offering a replacement for the roots type blower. good news though, is that they'll be releasing something for our 4.6l 3valve in February. yay
http://www.whipplesuperchargers.com/...sp?ProdID=1208

 

I've got questions I could use help on.... I've got a local speed shop that highly recommends the ProCharger with a custom tune over the Saleen which, in his opinion (because I've been learning the differences here) the Saleen uses an overpriced unit which, poorly made unit. The guys does lots of work with superchargers and is one of the highly recemmended speed shops so I have to give his experience some weight in making my decision. So I'm leaning towards the Procharger for now, but the Saleen unit does (after reading through so many posts here) seem to be a well-liked unit with a safe tune. Opinions?

 

Be careful and do your own research. They probably make more money per install for the Procharger, or may just be more familiar with it. There's nothing wrong with a Procharger, but the centrifugals and the positive displacement blowers (Saleen, Roush) are two different animals. First decide which type you want, and then narrow it down to the brand. I've had several centrifugals in the past, and I've been dying to try a roots type or twin-screw. It really comes down to what you're looking for.