I have an 04 gt with basic mods, cai,75mm tb, sct tune, magnaflows, h pipe, sct big air maf meter, ramseys dyno tune, and am now wanting to put those mods to use in getting a 1.7 kenne bell at about 6 psi to start, does anyone know about how much the stock bottom end can hold on a 4.6 and if i needed to get a build done what all would i need and about how much am i looking at? i dont want to run any more than 10 psi bc i drive the car a lot and wanted to keep it in good shape. and is there anywhere i can find used superchargers 4300 is a lot of dough, and maybe any thoughts on other types of superchargers for my setup?

thanks!

 

I am in your EXACT situation right now. I've been doing HEAVY research for the last 3 weeks into avoiding the pricey $4,000+ brand new 2.1L KB. To be honest and realistic there isn't a very big window of opportunity with getting twin-screw superchargers for much cheaper than brand new. This has been what I have found at least. I also have a GT. As someone initially told me and as I confirmed to myself through research they retain their value well. Not only that there just doesn't seem to be many for sale at any given time. If you do find one used for a decent price you got lucky, i'm hoping to do that by doing a lot of networking.

But I've essentially settled with just saving the extra bit of money and getting the $4,000 2.1L and e-baying the intercooler. I will get a locked-up stall converter for my auto down the road. After that I should be looking at 365+ RWHP @ 6PSI.

 

good luck finding a used kb to fit your car. I have a kb 2.1 and will do my best to answer any questions you have. I was told as long as you stay at 400 or below rwhp you will be fine on stock internals. Every tuner has a differnent opinion on the max rwhp. I say play it safe. If you run above 7psi you will have to intercool it so you will be looking at an additional 1100.00 just for the cooler setup. If it were my decision I think I would look into a centri setup ie. vortech, paxton, procharger etc. The boost is there a bit quicker than the centri's but from what I have been told you can change that with pulleys but I dont know for sure. maybe someone with a centri setup will chime in for you. But if you have more questions feel free to ask. It is a big purchase so make sure its what you want.

 

I dont think you will find a ebay-cooler to work on a kb. the core must drop into the intake cavity. you cant just use an air to air cooler on a kb from what i have been told. Please let me know if you know different.

 

The engines are rated to 450 hp(rods start failing) but that is playing with fire.Some people are at 420 hp with no problems and some blow it up at 380. Its all in the tune! As for the used Kb...i dont see many used KB's being sold. If you are on a buget a centri blower is the ideal blower for you. Since you drive alot just try to stay under 3k and out of boost and you will see the same fuel economy you would if you were n/a.Check out the 1500$ s/c kit sticky in the boost/pipes/juice/ section that explains in great detail everything your going to need and the prices .Its a great write up. First thing you should look into is a used head unit (vortech,novi,procharger)and from there you can start a parts roundup till you have everything you need.

 

^^^agreed but if you go with the kb shift points need to stay at 2200 max to maintain fuel economy. above that and you will notice a drain on mpg. You will feel like a granny driving but it works to save fuel.

 

Lol most of us don't go KB for gas mileage

As for the e-bay intercooler this is what I know least about the whole budget deal and what i'm most skeptical of. However I know 2-3 different KB owners here in Wake county,NC that are running e-bay kits like cxracing or something and i'm going to have them help me get that set-up. Thats why i've just mainly been worried about finding the 1.7L or 2.1L KB used, and it ain't easy. I can worry about dropping a serious intercooler down the road after the locked up stall converter when I have more heat issues.

I noticed you said a bad tune can blow your **** up at 380. I never considered the possibility that a tune could get this horrible heh I know so many stock bottom ends rolling 420+. What in god's name could a tuner possibly do to make that much of a difference in stress on your internals?

 

i say try to stay away from used kits. i got shafted last winter in 2008 for 2500 on ebay. not saying all guys are scams but just be careful. used units could have been beat on and the rotors are worn inside etc who knows with used equipment. i say if you kenne bell go new and spend the extra 1k for the intercooler seup you will be better off and your motor will appreciate it as well. the 6 psi will not net you 365+ rwhp, i would say more around 340. if money is an issue look into the 1500 s/c kit sticky on the forums well worth doing that and getting the 365+hp you are looking for.

 

KB future plans too. Buddy of mine in down here in houston called me saying a friend of his is selling his 1.7 intercooled kb kit for 2500, wants to upgrade. I would have been all over it, but i'm going to just wait alittle longer and buy new 2.1 if you want me to set you up, just PM me. He just called me 2 days ago. He's off another forums site in houston.

 

I say go with a procharger!