Super Charger Related Failures

[sailsmen]

It would be of interest for us non SC to know the mileage, # track runs and mechanical failures of all SC Marauders.

To keep it simple no need to report which SC System, more interested in how the rest of the Marauder will hold up to the increased HP.

[studio460]

Sails . . .

On corral.net there's a dedicated supercharger forum, and one of the threads contained posts regarding owners of high mileage 'Stangs w/blowers. Nearly a dozen or so posts in the thread claiming 75K-100K+ miles (and still running), if memory serves.

I believe many of the posts were from owners of aftermarket installs; however the posts (and sigs) weren't specific enough regarding set-ups, e.g.: engine internals (forged vs. cast), boost pressure, etc.

Surprisingly, I couldn't find any threads there regarding any tally of engine failures of blown Mustangs.

Still, the thread gave me a bit more peace of mind since I'm planning on getting Trilogy's roots blower with my stock cast internals.

[Warpath]

From what I've picked up on the corral, the first thing to go on a stock internal Cobras seems to be the #7 piston ring land followed by #8. I think on the SOHC GTs, its #6 followed by #7. Most of the time a specific cause is never verified. But, it seems like it was due to being run too lean, timing advanced too far, or both. Sometimes people get too aggressive.

Once the pistons and rods have been upgraded, it seems like the oil pump gears tend to go. But, not always. I don't remember any failure occuring regularly with forged internals. Usually, driveline stuff breaks first.

I don't know whether you'll have to worry about the MM's cast crank.

[John F. Russo]

I have had no problems with mine yet.

_________________
2003 Blue 300B
Kenny Brown conversion (450 hp)
8800 miles
Stock transmission (upgraded with Performance Automatic clutches and band after stock failed)

[mtnh]

There was just a blue KB MM on the lift at Wall's LM in Methuen, MA, with a blown transmission from too much power, from what the SAs said to me. The car owner had found a transmission capable of 800 HP and that was in the process of being installed last week. Nhinterceptor saw it the week before and it was parked outside and hiding a large puddle of tranny blood.

Mike

[MarauderBoy]

At the dyno tune in Chicago there was a suburban police cruiser present that had the full Monty Vortech kit on. Base line was 304. It left with another 30hp! This car will see duty day and out at a level much more severe than anything we could possibly dish out. This car had an "in car camera" and I saw saw some of the daily high speed usage this car gets. They expect this car to go out of service at 100k where it will be sent to auction!

How's that for longevity?

[Zack]

You will see me at that auction.

[studio460]

mtnh:

If all I ever trash on my (future) blown Marauder is a transmission, I'll be happy . . . then at least, I'll have an excuse to upgrade the tranny . . .

IMO, a forged internals upgrade for our engines is far too pricey (what is it, about $6K?), especially when added to the cost of our relatively expensive blower kits.

AND, for all of us in California--all we have to fuel our cars is the anemic 91-octane "premium" they sell here--even more potential for detonation. I probably wouldn't worry all that much if we had 93- or 94-octane available in this state, like many of the rest of you do. And even more peace of mind would be attained if in fact the upcoming '04 Marauder's dual knock sensors are backward-compatible to our '03s without being too steep in price. FWIW, I'm really leaning toward the roots-style Eaton blower in Trilogy's kit, although at $10K for an OEM engine replacement, this potential cost is making me rethink Reinhart's stage I, II, III mods instead of a blower . . .

[ChuckB]

NBC,

Here here the gas in Ca. is not only expensive but 91 does present some problems for performance enthusiats. along with the MM i've got a Vortec (12 lbs. boost - highly modified motor) on a 97 TA. i swear cheapy gas stations even with 91 i have to retard the timing to stay away from spark knock. stay with the name brands although rated the same - for me 76 seems to be the best. i can only use the full advance curve when i use the "good stuff" from 76 at 102 octane. it works "good".... can get a good solid screach from 315 wide tires from 2nd to 3rd at 90-95mph.

PS just ordered the s-trim kit from Dennis - just got tired of hearing stories from Trilogy. Will update when it gets installed.

[studio460]

S-trim . . . NICE, ChuckB!

Well, I'm going to wait it out for the Trilogy product, although I do like Dennis' approach very much also. About the gas--I've been putting in Chevron 91 almost exclusively, and Mobil 91 when I'm not near a Chevron. I was avoiding 76 because of their ethanol content (both Chevron and Mobil use MTBE additives), but perhaps mistakenly so. I was under the impression that ethanol produced less energy (rumor-derived 411) but I haven't been able to confirm that. It seems as though you've done enough anecdotal testing to observe a difference in the 76 product. Guess I'll give it a try.

[Warpath]

Originally posted by NBC Shooter
...I was under the impression that ethanol produced less energy (rumor-derived 411) but I haven't been able to confirm that...

My Internal Combustion Engines professor stated the same thing. It has lower internal energy than gasoline. Therefore, you need to burn more to produce the same energy. Environmentalists like ethanol since it burns cleaner. But, if you have to burn more to equal gas, is it better?

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Warpath
Environmentalists like ethanol since it burns cleaner. But, if you have to burn more to equal gas, is it better?

I think the major advantage is that ethanol can be man-made, from corn or grain, so it's considered a "renewable" fuel, even if it's a little less efficient...

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
I think the major advantage is that ethanol can be man-made, from corn or grain, so it's considered a "renewable" fuel, even if it's a little less efficient...

True, but it has other uses. I've been using 10% <b>M</b>ethanol 92 octane gas in my cars for years. Especially in the winter.

Somewhere around -38 fuel lines turn into gascicles without some sort of alcohol in them. 10% methanol and synthetic oil means your car will start in the morning without too much complaining - if you plugged your block heater in. Below -45, you just don't turn your car off overnight, as the blockheater doesn't do much below that point.

[rumble]

45 BELOW! Wow, everybody has a different cross to bear,
today it's 107 here in Dallas. The only alcohol I'm interested in
right now comes in a brown bottle

[LincMercLover]

Is Amaco the only gas station that DOESN'T put ethanol in their gas? Everywhere else I go, I see the 10% stickers, there, I don't... Seem's like my MM runs better on Amaco 93 too.

[TAF]

Originally posted by LincMercLover
Seem's like my MM runs better on Amaco 93 too.
That's ^^^ ALL I'll run in mine. Search them out and will pay extra for it.

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Mobil is also pure fuel. Either one works well for me.

Tim :fire: 49