Looking for First-Hand Supercharger Experiences (Stock Bottom End 3V)

[MustangMark]

Hey ya’ll, I'm in the research phase and basically flipping through the brochure for the future. I may never go forced induction, but I’m curious to hear people’s experiences.

Current car:

● 2006 Mustang GT 5-speed manual
● 62,000 km
● Stock bottom end
● JLT Series 3 CAI
● BBK long-tube headers
● BBK high-flow catted X-pipe
● Corsa Sport axle-backs
● Steeda underdrive pulleys
● Custom 94 octane dyno tune, currently data logging for a remote tune from Lito

If I ever go FI, I'd be looking for a conservative setup focused on longevity—probably somewhere around 450–500 whp while keeping torque at or below roughly 450 lb-ft. The goal would be a reliable, fun street car, not a max-effort build.

The kits I'm currently aware of are:

● Vortech V-3 Si
● ProCharger (P-1SC-1 / P-1X)
● Department of Boost GT450 (M122)


Are there any other kits still worth considering?

I'd really like to hear from people with first-hand experience:

● Which kit did you choose and why?
● If you've owned both centrifugal and PD setups, which did you prefer?
● How do they compare in normal street driving versus WOT?
● Any regrets?
● How has reliability been on the stock bottom end?

Thanks in advance—I know this topic has been discussed a lot, but I'm hoping to hear from owners who've actually lived with these setups.

 

[MrBhp]

I'll throw in mine. A single turbo is the way to go. It's also the most work. Since a turbo uses exhaust gasses and not the crankshaft to produce boost, there is much less stress on the motor. You can make more, safer power with a TC. And it's fully adjustable. I know you specifically asked about everything other than a turbo.

 

[MustangMark]

Yeah interesting, it seems much less common, but what you're saying makes sense. It's just harder to wrap my head around how installation works, also I'd be scrapping the headers I imagine. The shop I go to never even mentioned it as an option. I'm assuming a lot more fabricating and finagling to make it work.

I also wonder how heat management works, what effect on exhaust note, etc.

Did you do On3 turbo?

 

[Midlife Crises]

I could never adequately describe just how much fun it is to play with the torque produced by a PD supercharger. Instant power is connected directly to the gas pedal. Easy cursing or aggressive acceleration is up to the driver and the maximum boost is controlled by the simple selection of a drive pulley. You can run your stock cams and keep the RPMs in the normal range.
Department of Boost is the place to start for the PD Blower and Lito can do the tuning.

 

[Juice]

Turbo, PD, centri, they are all equally "hard" on the engine.
Stock engines break right around the double the power level. Thats the general engineering safety standard.

 

[Blue03Cobra]

I could never adequately describe just how much fun it is to play with the torque produced by a PD supercharger. Instant power is connected directly to the gas pedal.

This...and it sure makes me miss my Termi!

For the 3V, I'm going centri, when the time comes. Maybe because I've already had PD, but I really like the daily streetability of my stock-ish GT, it just needs some "ooomph" up top, which the centri should fill, nicely.

 

[GriffX]

Low revs and high boost are probably more damaging to the engine. I think newer turbos have high boost also at lower revs.

 

[MrBhp]

I will put any amount of money on the fact that I will make more usable, safe power with a turbo than any pd. Running any device off of the crankshaft requires power. You'll use 100 hp of the safe available hp to make an additional 200 hp. A turbo uses 0 hp to make the same additional hp. Add 300 to 300. Take away the 100 used to spin the pd. You are at 500 whp. Your engine is under the stress of producing 600 hp. But you have 500 to the tire. I have 600 to the tire with the same stress on the engine. That being said, that instant hit of power from the pd is nice, but not as manageable.

 

[Juice]

You cant have something for nothing. Crank shaft load vs exhaust backpressure. Physics, its not just an idea, its the law.

 

[MrBhp]

You cant have something for nothing. Crank shaft load vs exhaust backpressure. Physics, its not just an idea, its the law.

To a degree, yes. The exhaust backpressure has much less effect on power production than the work the crank is having to produce to spin a blower. It's just physics.

 

[MrBhp]

Yeah interesting, it seems much less common, but what you're saying makes sense. It's just harder to wrap my head around how installation works, also I'd be scrapping the headers I imagine. The shop I go to never even mentioned it as an option. I'm assuming a lot more fabricating and finagling to make it work.

I also wonder how heat management works, what effect on exhaust note, etc.

Did you do On3 turbo?

Yes, I went with the On3 kit. Not a great kit. It requires some minor fab skills, and you lose your cats. As to heat management, thermal blankets fix that, but it's a really tight fit. My car is slammed and the hot piping is the lowest thing on the car. So you won't pass a sniff test, and your rear o2 sensors will need to be off. Which means you won't pass an obd test. The pd is MUCH easier to install and llike I said, that instant hit of torque will make your eyeballs recede. If you have the traction.

 

[MustangMark]

I will put any amount of money on the fact that I will make more usable, safe power with a turbo than any pd. Running any device off of the crankshaft requires power. You'll use 100 hp of the safe available hp to make an additional 200 hp. A turbo uses 0 hp to make the same additional hp. Add 300 to 300. Take away the 100 used to spin the pd. You are at 500 whp. Your engine is under the stress of producing 600 hp. But you have 500 to the tire. I have 600 to the tire with the same stress on the engine. That being said, that instant hit of power from the pd is nice, but not as manageable.

I think you’re right. There’s less stress on the engine per whp with a turbo then a supercharger. I just think it’s too complex for my liking.

 

[MrBhp]

I think you’re right. There’s less stress on the engine per whp with a turbo then a supercharger. I just think it’s too complex for my liking.

Good call.

 

[Midlife Crises]

I will put any amount of money on the fact that I will make more usable, safe power with a turbo than any pd. Running any device off of the crankshaft requires power. You'll use 100 hp of the safe available hp to make an additional 200 hp. A turbo uses 0 hp to make the same additional hp. Add 300 to 300. Take away the 100 used to spin the pd. You are at 500 whp. Your engine is under the stress of producing 600 hp. But you have 500 to the tire. I have 600 to the tire with the same stress on the engine. That being said, that instant hit of power from the pd is nice, but not as manageable.

Your point is taken but, at 450 horse he’s not going anywhere near using 100 horse to drive a blower. Pumping 6 to 8 pounds into an engine with a stock bottom end using a inter-cooled PD will give outstanding throttle response and hi-way drivability that will be difficult for a centrifugal or turbo to match. When you turn up the wick, the compressors take the lead for sure. Then we’re talking built motors and more RPMs.

 

[cavero]

One thing I was always worried about with a turbo that surge of power on GriffX's chart. Not such a big deal on a communter car, but on our cars (v8 power, front heavy car), seemed like it could get out of control fast. But I've never driven a turbo v8 so I couldn't really say.

OP, my experience with my Vortech is it's extremely linear. No surge, no throw you into the back of your seat, you just watch that needle climb FAST. Which...kinda hate to say it...not as fun as I thought it was going to be. Dunno, maybe that's just my car.

I went Vortech for driveability, but Pentalab was telling me a PD is perfectly controllable as long as you're not mashing the pedal.

There was lots of great discussion in this thread from a couple years ago (you can skip to pg 4 where we started talking PD vs Centri). Lots of great points and numbers too:

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/might-be-go-big-or-go-home-time-on-my-06.142209/

 

[MustangMark]

One thing I was always worried about with a turbo that surge of power on GriffX's chart. Not such a big deal on a communter car, but on our cars (v8 power, front heavy car), seemed like it could get out of control fast. But I've never driven a turbo v8 so I couldn't really say.

OP, my experience with my Vortech is it's extremely linear. No surge, no throw you into the back of your seat, you just watch that needle climb FAST. Which...kinda hate to say it...not as fun as I thought it was going to be. Dunno, maybe that's just my car.

I went Vortech for driveability, but Pentalab was telling me a PD is perfectly controllable as long as you're not mashing the pedal.

There was lots of great discussion in this thread from a couple years ago (you can skip to pg 4 where we started talking PD vs Centri). Lots of great points and numbers too:

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/might-be-go-big-or-go-home-time-on-my-06.142209/

Thank you! For some reason I have a hard time effectively searching old threads.

And that’s exactly the feedback I was looking for. It seems like pd guys never have anything bad to say haha. Would you have gone pd route if you were to do it over?

 

[cavero]

Thank you! For some reason I have a hard time effectively searching old threads.

And that’s exactly the feedback I was looking for. It seems like pd guys never have anything bad to say haha. Would you have gone pd route if you were to do it over?

Strong possibility, but then 03BlueCobra said up above he's going centri - and that's after having a car w/ a PD. I'd be curious to see what more guys that've driven both have to say.

 

[AHaze]

Would you rather drive a car with a 500 hp naturally aspirated 302 (a "screamer") or a naturally aspirated 500HP 514 stroker (a "torque monster")? I find this to be a reasonable comparison for centrifugal vs PD blowers. Similar power but very different feel.
Personally, I've become a fan of engines that beg to be run out to redline so my Mustang has a Vortech on it, my daily got a bigger turbo that sacrificed low end response and my motorcycle has a 600cc 4 cylinder that makes next to no power until 7000 RPM. All of them force you to work a bit to access the power which some would find annoying. I feel it's more engaging.
A PD makes downshifts optional and it's virtually impossible to get caught out of the power band. If that's your idea of a good time, go for it. I've owned a 2nd gen Lightning, a T-bird SC and an Audi with the twin-screw 3.0L. I wouldn't call any of them boring.

 

[MustangMark]

Would you rather drive a car with a 500 hp naturally aspirated 302 (a "screamer") or a naturally aspirated 500HP 514 stroker (a "torque monster")? I find this to be a reasonable comparison for centrifugal vs PD blowers. Similar power but very different feel.
Personally, I've become a fan of engines that beg to be run out to redline so my Mustang has a Vortech on it, my daily got a bigger turbo that sacrificed low end response and my motorcycle has a 600cc 4 cylinder that makes next to no power until 7000 RPM. All of them force you to work a bit to access the power which some would find annoying. I feel it's more engaging.
A PD makes downshifts optional and it's virtually impossible to get caught out of the power band. If that's your idea of a good time, go for it. I've owned a 2nd gen Lightning, a T-bird SC and an Audi with the twin-screw 3.0L. I wouldn't call any of them boring.

Yeah, I think I’m with you on this, more engaging having to be in the right gear. I seems like more guys lean PD than centrifugal though having tried both… I think you need to drive both to know