Supercharged Cobra HELP???

[chuckhines]

My buddy has a 1997 Cobra w/ a Vortech Supercharger, 3.73 rearend, custom burned chip, subframe connectors, a B&M shifter, flowmaster duals and an x-pipe. The car is a 5-speed manual. He just got the car back after having the FMU calibrated, his exhaust leak fixed, and a new belt put on the supercharger. This car hadn't been run at the track since the supercharger was installed until yesterday. Before all the above listed mods he said it ran a best of 13.91 on radials at the track. Since the all of the mods, yesterday he ran a best of 13.93 under very good conditions (65 degrees, sunny, low humidity). Traction wasn't a problem at all, he only got a little tire spin off the launch, maybe 10-15 feet. What is the problem here??? The boost gauge showed 4-5psi on the runs. It seems to me this car should have been a lot faster than it was. Any help would be greatly appreciated. He was really upset that he was getting beat everytime by my another friend's 1994 manual z28 with only minor bolt-ons.

[surfbeast]

You can have 1000 Hp+ but if you can't drive than you can't drive. Not to say your friend can't drive, but some guys get too excited the first time out with major new mods. Next time out if he calms down he may do alot better. The traction loss alone could cause alot of lost time. Sounds like he may have a traction problem? Even if he was only loose for the first few feet the traction could be lost for 10% of the run. You would not notice the tires spining after the first hundred feet in the run. More Hp means more traction needed. I've burned guys with alot more HP just because they melted the tires while I just took my time and kept my traction. Tell your friend not to give up, and give it hell!!!!

[czstang1701]

Tell your friend not to give up, and give it hell!!!!

w0rd :P

[chuckhines]

Don't you think those times seem a lot slower than they should be??? He claims to have run 13.91 stock. Traction wasn't a problem, and shifting was good. All he could muster was a best of 13.93 w/ a supercharged '97 Cobra w/ gears and a few other mods!!!! :-( C'mon he was getting beat consistently by a '94 z28 w/ minor bolt-ons and a '97 Regal GS w/ minor bolt-ons. Something just isn't right here

[SLOW 97]

A Buick Regal GS??? HA! I'm sorry but a Supercharged Cobra getting beat by any non-Grand National Buick is hillarious. This car should easily run low 12's or even high 11's. I'm gonna have to agree with Surf and say your friend drives like my granny. Keep trying. It takes time to learn how to produce good ET's with any car especially a blown stick car.

[89 Cobra LX]

What was his trap speed?

If he didn't pick up any MPH then something is definitely wrong.

13.9s in a supercharged 97 Cobra is a joke. I would think you would have to try hard to get times that slow.

[chuckhines]

It wasn't his driving, another buddy drove it too, and it just didn't get up and go like it should have. I believe his trap speed was about 100mph, but I'd have to look at the slips again. I thought it was funny to see him get beat by a '97 regal and a '94 z28, but he is my friend, so I can't really rub it in.

[89 Cobra LX]

Originally posted by chuckhines
It wasn't his driving, another buddy drove it too, and it just didn't get up and go like it should have. I believe his trap speed was about 100mph, but I'd have to look at the slips again. I thought it was funny to see him get beat by a '97 regal and a '94 z28, but he is my friend, so I can't really rub it in.

Makes me wonder if the supercharger is spinning (belt slipping). Either way, a supercharged 4.6 4-valve should trap alot higher.

Maybe there's no impeller in the supercharger!

[chuckhines]

He took it back to the guy who installed it today, he suspects the chip, so he is gonna burn a new one.

[95mustanggt]

Get it Dynoed. If it turns out good numbers then you know it is either traction or you buddies driving. Either way a pull or 2 on a dyno should tell you a lot.

[SLOW 97]

Did your friend remeber to attach the belt to the blower pulley? Actually it is quite likely the belt is slipping a lot because modualrs are known for belt slippage. I think it's probably the chip though. Only dyno results will tell though.

[GTJim]

Originally posted by chuckhines
The boost gauge showed 4-5psi on the runs.

Assuming you're supposed to be running around 8 psi, your losing a ton of power here. I believe the problem to be belt slippage also. Check to make sure the belt is tight. I don't know if it has an automatic tensioner or not.

Also, another problem could be that the inlet tube could be partially collapsing under boost, unless it's a powerpipe.