supercharger vs heads/cam package

[Supercharged SS]

Originally Posted by litle88

An even cheaper route would be getting a forged set of Eagle H beam rods and a good forged pistons for a forged 376/6.2 you won't need a crank you can use that cause they are good in any high hp applications. Then bolt it all up til your ready for that supercharger. Just my .2

I still have my stock crank and stock heads. So far so gd.

[Oxtar41]

Originally Posted by litle88

An even cheaper route would be getting a forged set of Eagle H beam rods and a good forged pistons for a forged 376/6.2 you won't need a crank you can use that cause they are good in any high hp applications. Then bolt it all up til your ready for that supercharger. Just my .2

Thats what I plan on doing this winter. I like the stock displacement, just forged rods and pistons. A set of axles and beef up the rear diff a little bit and a clutch is all I need! i have everything else lol

[litle88]

That's all you need!!! More meat on the piston! I likey.
I'd like stay posted with this build please.

[Kadiggy]

all very good info, i'll keep this in mind...looks like either way i decide to go, there will be alot of overtime being worked in the near future to pay for it, lol.

[SolomonAKOO]

Wow this was a very informative thread! I've been asking around about that same question! Thanks for a few answers guys

[BTRSS]

Just thought I'd through in my 2 cents. I thought about it for about 3 months. Cam/headers or supercharger/headers. I ended up going the higher cost route with the whipple supercharger/ARH headers. Added 200 hp on the dyno. So now I'm at 625 hp at the flywheel and 550 rhp. The sound is awsome and the look (for us car show guys) is very impressive. I have another friend who went the cam/headers and although he doesn't have the hp that I have, he has that "sweet" bla blum, bla blum sound.You'll be happy either way, but I lean towards the supercharger.

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by Unreal

Then my advice is neither. Tires, suspension, gears, first.

I have a 2012 mustang with a CAI and x-pipe. At the track last week I beat up on several 5th gens including one with 10K+ in mods because he had no suspension/tires/etc. He ran mid 13s all night with his supercharged car. I ran high 12s and he wasn't happy.

I'm running 11s in a stick on the OE P-Zeros... Don't know what was up with him or that car, but 13s in an FI 5th Gen is terrible..

Originally Posted by litle88

That's cause he sucks!!
I have a bud who has a KB and Built Trans running high 11's on stock pirelli's. he needs a driver mod that's for sure.

[Kelly@PCMofNC]

I don't think you can go wrong either way, but at the end of the day I prefer a nice blower set up vs. heads/cam if I had to choose.

[litle88]

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

I'm running 11s in a stick on the OE P-Zeros... Don't know what was up with him or that car, but 13s in an FI 5th Gen is terrible..

You know who I'm talking about!!!
Lol

[TonyCigar]

The factory supercharged ZL1 is slapped with a $1,300 gas guzzler tax because a blower sucks up more fuel & adds more weight to the car and requires premium fuel. If you go aftermarket with a blower you avoid the gas guzzler tax but not the other two issues. Does a cammed engine give better gas mileage than a blower? Does a cammed engine require premium fuel? My 2SS runs fine on regular grade fuel & gets between 19 thru 21 mpg with mostly highway driving.

[Snidely Whiplash]

Originally Posted by TonyCigar

The factory supercharged ZL1 is slapped with a $1,300 gas guzzler tax because a blower sucks up more fuel & adds more weight to the car and requires premium fuel. If you go aftermarket with a blower you avoid the gas guzzler tax but not the other two issues. Does a cammed engine give better gas mileage than a blower? Does a cammed engine require premium fuel? My 2SS runs fine on regular grade fuel & gets between 19 thru 21 mpg with mostly highway driving.

A larger cam usually negates some octane requirements caused by compression. A nice bum stick MIGHT allow you to run regular gas on your work commute and premium for "fun" on the weekends. Your tuner will tell you about octane requirements.

[meSSohappy]

I have also bee wondering the same thing about cam or SC. The mild cam/SC setup that some of you have mentioned, does it give the engine that rumble sound at idle? Is it just a case of a cam/SC combo with no other internal parts?

[WHAMMO]

I vote for the n/a route; cheaper and more badass. Youll be close to the supercharged guys, but with less stress on your clutch/trans/diff, and for a lot cheaper;
2500 $ cammed/tuned
1000 $ headers
1000 $ ported heads
0 $ for the intake because you dont need it
1000 $ nitrous kit

6000 $(at least) for the supercharger
1000 $ headers
Xxxx $ tune/labor

I say its about money, but nothing beats the thrill of a cammed LS engine; gotta love the high rpm power/sound/idle.

And chose your cam wisely; dont chase a peak number, be realistic about your goals and it wil be fine. My 230-236 cam isnt bucking/surging with a nice tune of course. That is in a 6.0 with ported LS3 heads.

If its your daily, consider a small cam with higher CR, could be a killer combo to move that big car with stock gears. Dont forget that FI requires some bigger injectors/fuel pump too...FI=endless power, at a price..