Shelbyville

Looking to add more HP to my 302. I know there are a lot of gadgets out there. Anyone know of a good aftermarket turbocharger add on that really works?

Sinister Audio

i would probaly go with a supercharger on it because they make great low end torque and are alot easier to put on and are really cool looking.

mayh3m

turbo would put a lot more heat on the engine, but they sound so damn nice. supercharger gives off a gay whistling sound, but you get the power and it's probably easier to install.

rmodel65

go www.racerwalsh.com they sell turbo kit for ford v8s!!

dodgestang

Any engine modification that can be easily classified as a 'gadget' isn't a real performance part. I can only assume by the wording in this post 'someone' has been looking at electric turbos and such that 'swirl the air for better detonation' or 'add 1 PSI guaranteed with a simply 12v connection' or 'align the molecules of your gas so they are lined up and disperse better'; all these and more are j-u-n-k.

THUMPIN455

Agreed with dodgestang. A turbo or supercharger will set you back at least $2000. hairdryers and pieces of tin in the aircleaner wont do much for you.

You can get a roots style blower, the type that sticks through your hood. They are somewhat easy to install and have a look that is tough to duplicate. Least efficient but still makes incredible low end power.

Centrifugal blowers like Paxton and Vortec can be set up to blow through a carb or into a fuel injection manifold. FI is easy to add on if you arent afraid of a tangle of wires and pick up all the pieces to install it. More efficient than roots type blowers but still have parasitic drag on the engine. Great midrange and upper power, decent gains on the bottom.

Turbos need the most packaging, cost the most to install, but yield the most power with the least loss. FI instalations are easier. Blow through and draw through carb setups can be used, but performance will suffer.

If you are adding it to a relatively stock 289/302, dont go over 6psi boost and dont spin it over 6000rpm and it should live for a while. Boosted engines require forged rods, pistons, and sometimes cranks, along with lower compression and free flowing exhuast. Fuel management and air fuel ratios are critical. Too lean and you get large holes in pistons.

Shelbyville

Thanks to everyone that responded!! I know there is a lot of junk out there and I really appreciate everyones input. Maybe I'll just let the guy that did my ground up restore decide whats best.