Supercharged 89 w/9psi
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: CO
Supercharged 89 w/9psi
Is it safe to run that much boost thru a Base Engine: 350ci V8 240/245hp?
Its a procharger setup. I just think that it may be a ticking timebomb. I dont' know if the internals are forged or not.
Any links to info or info posted about superchargers and how much boost you can run on an engine? I don't know what determines the limits. I would assume that comp ratio would play a major role. All info is appricated ! :cheers:
oh and also we are at about 4500ft above sea level.
[Modified by flood, 1:41 PM 12/2/2002]
Its a procharger setup. I just think that it may be a ticking timebomb. I dont' know if the internals are forged or not.
Any links to info or info posted about superchargers and how much boost you can run on an engine? I don't know what determines the limits. I would assume that comp ratio would play a major role. All info is appricated ! :cheers:
oh and also we are at about 4500ft above sea level.
[Modified by flood, 1:41 PM 12/2/2002]
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From: Framingham MA
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (flood)
I have always thought of 400hp being the limit for the stock piston. I have read about people having problems with 10psi and stock pistons only lasting 10k miles, so your probably on the edge of long term reliability.
Safety Car
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From: Framingham MA
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (Vic'89)
There is a big difference with 400 HP NA vs. 400 HP with boost.
Boost is what kills the cast pistons.
Boost is what kills the cast pistons.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Houston TX
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (dgoodhue)
Detonation is what kills cast pistons (and boost is good way to create detonation) Either way anything over 400hp with the stock cast piston either by N2O, SC, Turbos, or NA is playing with the limits of the pistons.
But since I'm fairly new to Corvettes, you may want to listen to these guys. They probably have more first-hand experience with Corvettes and blowers.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: CO
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (dgoodhue)
Either way anything over 400hp with the stock cast piston either by N2O, SC, Turbos, or NA is playing with the limits of the pistons.
After seeing a friend melt the forged pistons in his Mustang SVO (2.3 intercooled turbo w/15psi) I am very cautious of buying anything with forced induction. Especially something that I don't know who did what to.
Thanks for the replys, its right along with what I was thinking. :cheers:
[Modified by flood, 9:52 AM 12/3/2002]
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
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From: CO
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (dgoodhue)
Either way anything over 400hp with the stock cast piston either by N2O, SC, Turbos, or NA is playing with the limits of the pistons.
Thanks for the replys, its right along with what I was thinking. :cheers:
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (fullboogie)
I agree. Detonation is what kills, not boost. I ran 14psi on my old Mustang for 2 1/2 years, and about 200 drag strip passes and had absolutely no problems with the cast pistons.
1985 - 1997 Mustangs had FORGED pistons ,that's why they have no issues with BOOST.
Vic
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 848
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From: Houston TX
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (Vic'89)
No Vic, you're WRONG. Mustangs came with factory forged pistons only through '92. The 93's had cast hypereutectic pistons, and that's the year I had. 94 and 95 also had cast pistons, not sure about 96+.
[Modified by fullboogie, 10:27 AM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by fullboogie, 10:27 AM 12/3/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (fullboogie)
No Vic, you're WRONG. Mustangs came with factory forged pistons only through '92. The 93's had cast hypereutectic pistons, and that's the year I had. 94 and 95 also had cast pistons, not sure about 96+.
[Modified by fullboogie, 10:27 AM 12/3/2002]
[Modified by fullboogie, 10:27 AM 12/3/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Long Island, NY
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (fullboogie)
No Vic, you're WRONG. Mustangs came with factory forged pistons only through '92. The 93's had cast hypereutectic pistons, and that's the year I had. 94 and 95 also had cast pistons, not sure about 96+.
Vic
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Houston TX
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (Vic'89)
Vic-
Sorry if I came down too hard on you. I see a lot of posts that try to convice all who read it that supercharging will blow your engine up in a heartbeat. It's nonsense. If you know what you're doing and can tune a car, superchargers are safe. I know loads and loads of people who have them, race them, and cruise them, and don't know one person who's "holed a piston" unless the tune on the engine was WAY out of whack. Just trying to set the record straight.
Sorry if I came down too hard on you. I see a lot of posts that try to convice all who read it that supercharging will blow your engine up in a heartbeat. It's nonsense. If you know what you're doing and can tune a car, superchargers are safe. I know loads and loads of people who have them, race them, and cruise them, and don't know one person who's "holed a piston" unless the tune on the engine was WAY out of whack. Just trying to set the record straight.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (flood)
If I remember my ProCharger lit correctly, 6psi boost with an intercooler will give you about a 40% HP gain. Starting with a stock 240hp engine that would be about a 100hp increase.
I realy don't see how that gain NA vs super charged would be any different (don't you have the same charge density to get the same HP??); of course if you get detination with either you're in trouble. Any clarification on this one please??
Now I can see where assuring proper fuel flow with super charging could be more difficult than with a NA motor and maybe more prone to problems.
Also, being at 4,500ft elevation is worth about a 13-14% power reduction (3% for every 1,000ft). So at your location, that 6psi boost would only put you at around 290hp.
To keep cylinder temps down I would definitely run a 160 deg stat and an intercooler.
I don't mean to lead you astray, but have always thought that at your elevation a super charger with a mild boost would compensate very nicely for the reduction in air density. Of course you need to do your homework so that there is no danger to the motor.
[Modified by 65Z01, 4:57 PM 12/3/2002]
I realy don't see how that gain NA vs super charged would be any different (don't you have the same charge density to get the same HP??); of course if you get detination with either you're in trouble. Any clarification on this one please??
Now I can see where assuring proper fuel flow with super charging could be more difficult than with a NA motor and maybe more prone to problems.
Also, being at 4,500ft elevation is worth about a 13-14% power reduction (3% for every 1,000ft). So at your location, that 6psi boost would only put you at around 290hp.
To keep cylinder temps down I would definitely run a 160 deg stat and an intercooler.
I don't mean to lead you astray, but have always thought that at your elevation a super charger with a mild boost would compensate very nicely for the reduction in air density. Of course you need to do your homework so that there is no danger to the motor.
[Modified by 65Z01, 4:57 PM 12/3/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
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From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: Supercharged 89 w/9psi (flood)
I'm going with a Carroll setup running 10psi water/alcohol inj, but, I 'm currently setting up the bottom end with a new chevy BowTie 4 bolt block, with 4340 forged rods and a 4340 Callies crank...for good measure! Crank has yet to arrive. Soon it will all come together. If your motor was an 85, I hear they come with forged pistons from the factory....go figure!
