Forced air or wait for a supercharger on a '96 3.8?

MonsterTrosity · 05-06-2001, 07:46 PM

I was wondering if anyone has expirimented with both systems. The cost of a supercharger kit is quite a bit up there, but the forced air (although nowhere neer the same power), is somewhat cheap. Any opinions are helpful.

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MonsterTrosity

T_Bone · 05-06-2001, 07:51 PM

Errr...isn't a supercharger a form of "forced air" or "forced induction"? Just like Nitrous or Turbo? I could be wrong here...please correct me if I am.

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T-Bones 1997 Cobra#6342 born 6-11-97
Wht/blk, Pro 5.0,FRPP 4.56's, aluminum driveshaft, FRPP throttle body, C&L 80mm MAF, K&N, Steeda U/D pulleys, Steeda timing adjuster, Flowmasters, s/f connectors, FRPP pro springs, BBK caster/cambers.

My old 96GT

[This message has been edited by T_Bone (edited 05-06-2001).]

MonsterTrosity · 05-06-2001, 08:02 PM

Ok, I think you know what I'm talking about. When someone mentions a forced air kit, it simply works off of air forced in from a funnel at the front bumper, or hood. Yes, turbo and superchargers are forced air, but people usually get the general idea. So, what I'm asking is, is it worth it to spend an extra 2k to get a supercharger, or are some people happy enough with a normally asperated funnel system with K&N filter?

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MonsterTrosity

Rev · 05-06-2001, 09:02 PM

Hey Monster, there is a huge $$$ difference and a huge HP gain difference. Like 15 HP versus 150 HP. I have a home made cold air/ram air system in my '66 coupe and I believe it's good for 15-20 HP. Cost was under $100 doing it myself.

Rev

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'66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph
1/4 mi.

srv1 · 05-06-2001, 10:40 PM

Well it depends if you want to spend a couple of grand for ALOT MORE HP or a few extra ponies for a few bucks! there is a huge difference. if you had the money, go with the supercharger, you wont regret it. if you go the cheaper way, dont expect to put it back into the seat, but gas mileage will increase slightly. K&N never hurts, depends on what you want to spend. Oh by the way, just so you know its usually called cold air induction, and if there is a functional scoupe on the hood it is called Ram Air. i know what you mean though
------------
90 LX Black on Black
Flowbabies and thats it!

84_GT350 · 05-06-2001, 11:33 PM

It might just be me...but I don't really consider "ram air" kits to be forcing air into the intake such as the name implies. Those kits don't mention that you really don't benefit much at all from them until you hit about 60mph.

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1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

MonsterTrosity · 05-07-2001, 10:44 AM

Actually, it depends on the car. I installed a custom ram air on my Honda CRX, and it made a huge difference. But the car is so light, that you will significantly notice it. I'd say it was a 5 to 15 HP gain, and that is huge in a car so light. It also started kicking in from first gear at about 4500 RPM (about 25MPH!), because it was only a 1.5l motor, and doesn't take in as much air as a 3.8L 6.

I was extremely dissapointed when I found that the 3.8L 6 was a dog in the Mustang. In other words, my CRX would have no problem passing up my Mustang at full throtle. I still enjoy my Mustang, however, and I want to soup her up. I do have the money, but I'd rather try to find a decent HP gainer for arround $1k or less if I can. Maybe I should try my luck on ebay?

Thanks for the input.

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MonsterTrosity

Hethj7 · 05-08-2001, 11:26 AM

Just a thought, but why not save the money you have now and wait until you can afford a GT? It will cost you so much more to go fast with the 3.8 compared to the GT, even with the initial cost of the GT being higher.

05-06-2001, 07:46 PM	#1
MonsterTrosity Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fremont, Ca. Posts: 48	Forced air or wait for a supercharger on a '96 3.8? I was wondering if anyone has expirimented with both systems. The cost of a supercharger kit is quite a bit up there, but the forced air (although nowhere neer the same power), is somewhat cheap. Any opinions are helpful. ------------------ MonsterTrosity

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05-06-2001, 07:51 PM	#2
T_Bone Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Minot AFB, ND Posts: 207	Errr...isn't a supercharger a form of "forced air" or "forced induction"? Just like Nitrous or Turbo? I could be wrong here...please correct me if I am. ------------------ T-Bones 1997 Cobra#6342 born 6-11-97 Wht/blk, Pro 5.0,FRPP 4.56's, aluminum driveshaft, FRPP throttle body, C&L 80mm MAF, K&N, Steeda U/D pulleys, Steeda timing adjuster, Flowmasters, s/f connectors, FRPP pro springs, BBK caster/cambers. My old 96GT [This message has been edited by T_Bone (edited 05-06-2001).]

05-06-2001, 08:02 PM	#3
MonsterTrosity Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fremont, Ca. Posts: 48	Ok, I think you know what I'm talking about. When someone mentions a forced air kit, it simply works off of air forced in from a funnel at the front bumper, or hood. Yes, turbo and superchargers are forced air, but people usually get the general idea. So, what I'm asking is, is it worth it to spend an extra 2k to get a supercharger, or are some people happy enough with a normally asperated funnel system with K&N filter? ------------------ MonsterTrosity

05-06-2001, 09:02 PM	#4
Rev Registered Member Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Houston, Tx. Posts: 3,887	Hey Monster, there is a huge $$$ difference and a huge HP gain difference. Like 15 HP versus 150 HP. I have a home made cold air/ram air system in my '66 coupe and I believe it's good for 15-20 HP. Cost was under $100 doing it myself. Rev ------------------ '66 Coupe, 306, 300 HP, C-4, 13.97 e.t., 100.3 mph 1/4 mi.

05-06-2001, 10:40 PM	#5
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	Well it depends if you want to spend a couple of grand for ALOT MORE HP or a few extra ponies for a few bucks! there is a huge difference. if you had the money, go with the supercharger, you wont regret it. if you go the cheaper way, dont expect to put it back into the seat, but gas mileage will increase slightly. K&N never hurts, depends on what you want to spend. Oh by the way, just so you know its usually called cold air induction, and if there is a functional scoupe on the hood it is called Ram Air. i know what you mean though ------------ 90 LX Black on Black Flowbabies and thats it!

05-06-2001, 11:33 PM	#6
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	It might just be me...but I don't really consider "ram air" kits to be forcing air into the intake such as the name implies. Those kits don't mention that you really don't benefit much at all from them until you hit about 60mph. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

05-07-2001, 10:44 AM	#7
MonsterTrosity Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fremont, Ca. Posts: 48	Actually, it depends on the car. I installed a custom ram air on my Honda CRX, and it made a huge difference. But the car is so light, that you will significantly notice it. I'd say it was a 5 to 15 HP gain, and that is huge in a car so light. It also started kicking in from first gear at about 4500 RPM (about 25MPH!), because it was only a 1.5l motor, and doesn't take in as much air as a 3.8L 6. I was extremely dissapointed when I found that the 3.8L 6 was a dog in the Mustang. In other words, my CRX would have no problem passing up my Mustang at full throtle. I still enjoy my Mustang, however, and I want to soup her up. I do have the money, but I'd rather try to find a decent HP gainer for arround $1k or less if I can. Maybe I should try my luck on ebay? Thanks for the input. ------------------ MonsterTrosity

05-08-2001, 11:26 AM	#8
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Just a thought, but why not save the money you have now and wait until you can afford a GT? It will cost you so much more to go fast with the 3.8 compared to the GT, even with the initial cost of the GT being higher.