The Birth of a Supercharger Part 1 [Archive]

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merc

10-10-2006, 08:09 AM

The Birth of a Supercharger Part 1

This has been a very exciting week for Charlie and me. I don’t know how to start the story, so I decided to write it in sections. Supercharger installs have been documented on this site for the last 3 years. That being said, I think you might find this to be an interesting read.

This project has been in the making for over 2 years. The early pioneers of Marauder Supercharging gave us the template on how to make power from our cars. I started out with exhaust and suspension upgrades. Then I added exhaust modification, big brakes and other goodies to prepare for the major power adder. I was happy running N/A, but that was then and this is now.

After talking to several members about advantages and disadvantages I decided it was time to make the investment. It seemed like forever, but finally Big Brown brought Christmas to my door in October 6, at 2:23 P.M. Friday afternoon. Within 4 hours of delivery I contacted Charlie (Defyant) about installing the kit Saturday morning. At 10:00 P.M. I got a call approving the install. I spent several hours preparing for the Marathon Weekend Supercharger install and the 2.5 hour trip to Rising Sun Maryland.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02611.jpg

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02612.jpg

merc

10-10-2006, 08:22 AM

The ride to Rising Sun was rainy and I got lost and ended up crossing the State line to Pennsylvania. After correcting my navigational mistake, I found my way to Marauder Alley.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02619.jpg

Charlie didn’t waste much time shooting the breeze. Within 30 minutes we were ripping the guts out of the car and preparing for mechanical surgery. The plan was to have the car completed by Sunday afternoon. We were both excited about the conversion process. Charlie had some expertise because of his previous install and we had a working model in the next drive bay as a reference.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02618.jpg

Charlie can really work his way around the Marauder and he had all the tools necessary for the installation. His passion for working on performance cars showed with the quality of his workmanship. The layout was, Bay 1 Charlie’s car, my car was in bay two, and the new and old parts were in the third bay. While listening to the anthology of Pink Floyd songs the install party was going fine.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02617.jpg

One of our goals was to have the mechanic assembly done in the first day and leaving the electrical wiring and test-drive for the second day. Charlie devised an interesting modification for the boost pump and boost gauge fittings. This modification made it much easier for placing the boost gauge on the A pillar or the console.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02666.jpg

Breadfan (Mike) warned me about potential electric issues so I followed his lead and purchased a pair of Ideal electrical connectors. The kit cost 10 dollars per package but it’s worth the additional investment. It comes with a large heat shrink tube that once heated emits a goo that seals the connection and makes it waterproof.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02664.jpg

Thermo-Shrink Underground Splice Kit, Al/Cu, 8 AWG-2 AWG, 600V. For more information see link below;
http://www.idealindustries.com/IDEAL-EZ/products.nsf/ItemMasterLookup/p46-401?OpenDocument

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02663.jpg

Day two had its share of challenges. We worked most of the day starting a 9:30 A.M. and continuing until 1:30 Sunday Morning. One of the memorable moments that evening was trying to get the alternator pulley off using the supplied extraction tool. This German made part was stubborn and was determined not to come off. We tried everything including power tools and large bars. Damaging the Alternator starting become a serious consideration in our effort to remove the pulley. After 40 minutes of frustration and Charlie falling on his A$$ we were able to claim a victory, but you would not believe how this pulley came off. This is how it happened. I held the pulley with a pair of heavy-duty pliers while Charlie uses an air gun. The air compression came on creating a loud irritating noise. I moved to flip the switch to the off position and Charlie accidentally pulled the trigger on the air gun and the pulley spun off without being clamped. It was unbelievable. We repeated the process on another spare Marauder alternator to verify what we did, and it worked. So hear is the step-by-step instructions on pulley removal.

Step 1. Place Alternator on workbench.
Step 2. Use heavy-duty pliers to hold the pulley while second person users Air gun or long breaker bar with supplied removal bit.
Step 3. After a few difficult turns release the pressure from the pliers holding the pulley and only use the breaker bar or Air gun.
Step 4. You should be able to remove the pulley from the shaft now.

Breadfan

10-10-2006, 08:31 AM

This thread is cool. :)

BTW, I'm sorry I missed the event, I wish I had been there but I'm ecstatic you got it done, I know it's WAY TOO HARD to sit at home each night and see those big brown boxes. I'm happy you got it on so quick!

Aren't you still amazed that both those big boxes fit under the hood??? :)

DEFYANT

10-10-2006, 08:32 AM

Hey Mark! Glad I could help. We had fun despite our little hiccup. ;)

kj31067

10-10-2006, 08:34 AM

This thread is cool. :)

yes it is:)

Joe Walsh

10-10-2006, 09:37 AM

Fourth Horseman

10-10-2006, 09:37 AM

Congrats Merc! :beer:

merc

10-10-2006, 09:43 AM

Congrats Mark!

Now you're Trilogized and ready to rock!

How is everything running?
Was the base tune customized based on your current 'mods'?

I'm going to try to make it to Capitol Raceway this Friday evening....Cool, dry weather spells low ETs!....:banana2:

Do you wanna beat on a poor hapless N/A Marauder?

Sorry Joe, I have an A/C blower issue that needs to be resolved and I have some tuning concerns. The Birth of a Supercharger Part 3 will explain the problems. I should be able to work out the problems soon, very soon.

Bradley G

10-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Excellent!
tell us more! :coolman:

jdando

10-10-2006, 10:31 AM

Congratulations Merc!

Hopefully none of these :burnout:of Defyant's nice driveway!

jeremy

Raudermaster

10-10-2006, 10:51 AM

What a great thread! You must be happy your have some extra "boost" now. ;) Congrats on the install.

Breadfan

10-10-2006, 12:00 PM

I read about your alternator pulley issues - did your extraction tool fit? Mine was the slightest bit too big and would NOT fit in the pulley easily. I had to use a hammer to get it part way in, then impact gun to break the bolt loose. Took a few tries. I don't know if mine was wierd or what, I checked and others had not had this issue, I think Jerry's team even tried one in the shop and it fit in the bolt fine...I got it though, and was happy.

Also, the Ideal connectors - can't claim it was all my idea, I believe Carfixer/Tallboy/Shakes_26 use similar connectors from Gardener-Bender on their installs. Same as the Ideal ones, just made by a different company. The ideal ones are stocked in our VA/MD Home Depots.

These connectors are built to be used for underground well pumps. So, they're made specifically for the same guage wire as the extension harness but designed to be buried under 200ft of earth, submerged in water, and next to a well pump for 20+ years.

I figure if they can do that, they'll work under the hood well - and they do. For $20 this is cheap insurance. You'll need two of them at about $10 each in the stores. They make the install of the wire more secure, and less prone to heat/failures that can be caused by the standard butt-connectors when those are not crimped tight enough or become loose over time.

SergntMac

10-10-2006, 12:23 PM

Great thread, congrats to both Mark and Charlie. Job well done, gents!

CRUZTAKER

10-10-2006, 12:51 PM

Congratulations Merc.:up:

My day shall come as well....years from now I am sure.:D

merc

10-10-2006, 01:03 PM

Congratulations Merc.:up:

My day shall come as well....years from now I am sure.:D

I hope your day comes soon. I have be haunted by the ghost of 13.270 for two years. I was going to take a stab at your record last week, but I was too busy with work related issues. Now it's just a dream unless I purchase another N/A Marauder. I have other challenges ahead and looking forward to lower temps and lower ET's. I hope one day we will meet again. I promised Pam we would tour the Rock-n-roll museum next year.

merc

10-10-2006, 01:23 PM

The installs begin again bright and early Sunday morning. We looked forward to starting the motor again with its new power adder. I estimated that I would be leaving around 6:00 P.M. that evening, but the installed took another direction. Houston we have a problem. Below is a picture of the Garret intercooler flange. A hole was missing from the flange that allows the boost meter and pump to read pressure. We called the Trilogy hot line (Carfixer & Tallboy) and inquired about the problem. After several E-mails and late night conversations Charlie and I concluded that a hole needed to be drilled located were the word New is written in black.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/2/3/8/DSC02680_92474.jpg

The day didn’t end on a sour note. We were visited by one and only MarauderMark. It was really good to see him and his car. Mark brought a since of brotherhood to a long frustrating day. After 6 hours of cleaning bolts and all the surface areas that was perviously glued we were able to start the car again. The startup with no fuel in the rails and new injectors gave a rumbling sound at idle. To tell the truth, I thought the engine was going to implode. Within a few minutes after the burn off smoke cleared things started to normalize. We needed the car temperature to raise so air could be removed from the cooling system. So at 3:30 in the morning (O’dark 30) Charlie made the maiden voyage with me in the passenger seat. In his neck of the woods street lights was not a standard. My deer alarm went off twice in the short trip, putting me on the edge. Then Charlie stopped playing around and let the horse's out of the corral. Holy Cow, this car transformed into a tire eating monster. Note to self: Purchase stock in tire making manufactures.

O's Fan Rich

10-10-2006, 01:26 PM

merc

10-10-2006, 01:30 PM

What? The cooler get empty?

No Rich, something on a magnitude level of 1-10. This problem caused us to remove the supercharger completely. Film at 11.

jgc61sr2002

10-10-2006, 02:09 PM

Mark - Congrats.:D :2thumbs:

bigslim

10-10-2006, 02:36 PM

Congrats on the Trilogy Merc. You will love your car even more now.

merc6

10-10-2006, 03:49 PM

Congratulations Merc!

Hopefully none of these :burnout:of Defyant's nice driveway!

jeremy
Pretty shure thats already been covered. Bet theres one starting from inside the garage going halfway down the street. i seen what that car is capable of w/o water and I envy it. I just can't wait till it's my turn to have trilogy NVH issues.