Vortech supercharger problem

[John F. Russo]

Again I come to those who have provided the most consistent help over the years. And it costs nothing! That's what friends are for they say. I agree.

Problem
My Kenny Brown car (profile below) has occasionally skipped when in a WOT situation. I have decided to study what is causing it.

Conditions when engine "skipped"
Recently it has happened after about 10 seconds in WOT at about 70 mph. All of sudden there is a hesitation for about one second then it takes off smoothly. I had more than 1/2 tank of gas and the car had been running at this speed for about 20 minutes.

Other Data
Each time it has happened it skips exactly the same way. I have never had any service performed on the supercharger. I have never replaced the plugs because my dealer says they are good for 100,000 miles.

What other data do I need to collect to determine what is causing this problem?

2003 Dark Blue Pearl 300B (Canadian) w/Light Flint (reversed traction control, mini spare, trunked 6 disc CD changer, clock-in-the-radio, heated front seats/mirrors, hood light), Born 12/10/02; converted new then used 2/28/03; 70,000 miles
ENGINE: Kenny Brown: 6th “Signature Series” conversion, Vortech supercharger (5 to 7 psig boost; 3.48 pulley), 400 RWHP/377 RWTQ, 8.8lbs/BHP; Dennis Reinhart Cobra engine cooling kit TRANSMISSION: Stock transmission upgraded with Performance Automatic "Super Streeter" transmission version, stub shaft (defective metal) failed at 30k miles; upgraded internals (except for torque converter) to Reinhart's design; Precision, triple disc, P/N469018-3, later upgraded to 3500 rpm stall speed); Ford Racing transmission aluminum pan SUSPENSION: Metco control arms (black powdered coated), coil from each front stock spring removed to produce the “same” effect as an Eibach spring DRIVETRAIN 4.10 gears, MMX Driveshaft, Ford Racing Stud and Girdle BRAKES:14 in. BaerClaw front, (two piston, slotted rotors), TIRES: Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico (front 255/45ZR18, rear widened rims 285/45ZR18), ACCESSORIES: Wheel locks (Ford), godshead valve stem caps, KB Dead pedal, Badgeless front grille by “Zack”; Zaino waxing; RainX; 3M protective film, FordChip, Ground clearance: 5 in. MISCELLANEOUS 18.5 mpg at a steady speed of 80 mph, one tank of gas
______________________________ ___________________________
(Gone) 1961 Ford Galaxie, 2 dr. Club Victoria, 390CID, 375hp, 4 barrel

[magindat]

Is it a misfire?

Check plugs and COP connectors.

[merc]

This could be a transmission problem.
Do you have a boost gauge ?
How many miles on engine ?
Can you re-create the problem without going in WOT ?
Does it happen on up-shift only ?

[John F. Russo]

magindat
If it is a "misfire", why doesn't it do it at any time that the car is not in WOT?
I may have a misfire but I can't say for sure. I have never had the experience of sensing this condition since no one has given me a car and said, "This car misfires. Now go out and see how it feels."


Merc
This could be a transmission problem. Why doesn't it happen when it isn't in WOT?
Do you have a boost gauge ? Yes
How many mile on engine ? 70,000
Can you re-create the problem without going in WOT? No
Does it happen on up-shift only ? I'm in 3rd gear before I go WOT

[magindat]

When boost, cylinder pressures and amount of fuel are at their highest is when the fire (spark) gets 'blown out'. Misfire is kind of mis-leading. It should be called a non-fire.

It's often characterized by excessive black smoke from the exhaust while it's happening.

When was your last plug change? The gap grows as the electrode material wears down. Bigger gap = harder to jump gap in the cylinder atmosphere = misfire.

[Krytin]

Are you hitting the rev limiter? What are you turning for RPM when it "skips"? (and can it do "double dutch"? - I know, I'm an A**HOLE).
If it's always after an extended run @ WOT and it's NOT the rev limiter, check the fuel filter and hope you're not running lean under boost @ WOT!

[merc]

magindat
If it is a "misfire", why doesn't it do it at any time that the car is not in WOT?
I may have a misfire but I can't say for sure. I have never had the experience of sensing this condition since no one has given me a car and said, "This car misfires. Now go out and see how it feels."


Merc
This could be a transmission problem. Why doesn't it happen when it isn't in WOT?
Do you have a boost gauge ? Yes
How many mile on engine ? 70,000
Can you re-create the problem without going in WOT? No
Does it happen on up-shift only ? I'm in 3rd gear before I go WOT

When coming down from 4th and going into WOT at third does your car hit hard after hesitation?
Also take a look at boot gauge

[John F. Russo]

magindat
Plug change? (I never have yet)
Black smoke? (I'll check it out next time.)

Krytin
Are you hitting the rev limiter? (I usually don't go over 100 mph.)
What are you turning for RPM when it "skips"? (and can it do "double dutch"? - I know, I'm an A**HOLE). (I got to keep
my eye on the road. I'll try to determine the next time when there are fewer cars on the road)
If it's always after an extended run @ WOT and it's NOT the rev limiter (I only run for about 15 sec at WOT.)
Check the fuel filter: (I'll check it.)
I hope you're not running lean under boost @ WOT! (How can I tell that I am?)

merc
No, it does not. I'll look at the boost gauge the next time.

[MarauderMark]

Are you running twin cobra or gt fuel pumps? Maybe one has failed?

[Dennis Reinhart]

Again I come to those who have provided the most consistent help over the years. And it costs nothing! That's what friends are for they say. I agree.

Problem
My Kenny Brown car (profile below) has occasionally skipped when in a WOT situation. I have decided to study what is causing it.

Conditions when engine "skipped"
Recently it has happened after about 10 seconds in WOT at about 70 mph. All of sudden there is a hesitation for about one second then it takes off smoothly. I had more than 1/2 tank of gas and the car had been running at this speed for about 20 minutes.

Other Data
Each time it has happened it skips exactly the same way. I have never had any service performed on the supercharger. I have never replaced the plugs because my dealer says they are good for 100,000 miles.

What other data do I need to collect to determine what is causing this problem?

2003 Dark Blue Pearl 300B (Canadian) w/Light Flint (reversed traction control, mini spare, trunked 6 disc CD changer, clock-in-the-radio, heated front seats/mirrors, hood light), Born 12/10/02; converted new then used 2/28/03; 70,000 miles
ENGINE: Kenny Brown: 6th “Signature Series” conversion, Vortech supercharger (5 to 7 psig boost; 3.48 pulley), 400 RWHP/377 RWTQ, 8.8lbs/BHP; Dennis Reinhart Cobra engine cooling kit TRANSMISSION: Stock transmission upgraded with Performance Automatic "Super Streeter" transmission version, stub shaft (defective metal) failed at 30k miles; upgraded internals (except for torque converter) to Reinhart's design; Precision, triple disc, P/N469018-3, later upgraded to 3500 rpm stall speed); Ford Racing transmission aluminum pan SUSPENSION: Metco control arms (black powdered coated), coil from each front stock spring removed to produce the “same” effect as an Eibach spring DRIVETRAIN 4.10 gears, MMX Driveshaft, Ford Racing Stud and Girdle BRAKES:14 in. BaerClaw front, (two piston, slotted rotors), TIRES: Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico (front 255/45ZR18, rear widened rims 285/45ZR18), ACCESSORIES: Wheel locks (Ford), godshead valve stem caps, KB Dead pedal, Badgeless front grille by “Zack”; Zaino waxing; RainX; 3M protective film, FordChip, Ground clearance: 5 in. MISCELLANEOUS 18.5 mpg at a steady speed of 80 mph, one tank of gas
______________________________ ___________________________
(Gone) 1961 Ford Galaxie, 2 dr. Club Victoria, 390CID, 375hp, 4 barrel

Call me John when you get a chance

[Vortech347]

Datalog that car and have DR help ya!

[John F. Russo]

MarauderMark
Are you running twin cobra or gt fuel pumps? Maybe one has failed? (I don't know if Kenny Brown changed the fuel pump.)

Dennis Reinhart
Call me John when you get a chance. ( I will. Thank you for engaging.)

Nitrous SSC
Datalog that car and have DR help ya! (Thank you for the suggestion.)



I'm leaving my office and will engage by tomorrow.

[Zack]

Its the converter lock schedule. All Kenny Brown Cars suffered from this.

[John F. Russo]

Its the converter lock schedule. All Kenny Brown Cars suffered from this.

Thank you for commenting, Zack.

Can any of the other Kenny Brown car owners comment on Zack's hypothesis?

My plan is to try to see what conditions precipitate the hesitation.

I drive 20 highway miles every day to work. I'll see how often I get the hesitation at the same conditions that it happened the first time.

[magindat]

Regardless of what the dealer says or the outcome of this investigation, 70K is way to long a plug change interval on a blown car. A plug change wouldn't hurt.

Zack may have more to comment, here, but I'd put in NGK TR6 plugs at no more than a .035 gap. Prolly more like .032.