About to take the big step....

[Shodown]

Okay, I have researched this subject to death, read old posts, checked out Grayman's site and really want to install the Powerdyne sc for my 97.

Problem is that I understand most people have Pace Setter headers for their cars. Some people say you NEED them for a sc, some people say all you need is a hi flow cat and exhaust. I have already purchased a Flowmaster American Thunder cat-back exhaust and a Carsound hi flow cat, do I absolutely need headers for a supercharged car?

I only ask because I hear constant complaints about leaks once you install headers. I was only going to get them b/c I thought they were a must with a sc. If I truly DONT have to have them, I'm not going thru all the leaking headaches, but I do have to have them then I will work it out and buy a hella lot of Tylenol.

FYI: future plans for my car

1. Exhaust, hi flow cat
2. High ratio rockers
3. Powerdyne sc with 8 psi pulley
4. NGK T 36 plugs
5. ????Headers????

I will not mod my car any further than that. No cam swap, not p/p the heads, not boring out cylinders. All I want is bolt-ons. BTW I understand the rockers are a little more than bolt ons but I can install myself them to make them worth the money.

Is it safe to run these bolt ons with out installing headers? Just looking for an honest opinion.

[Mighty Thor]

I'm on my 8th year now with PD and I only have a stock exhaust manifold.

Headers does help the engine breathe better and it make the SC more effective. But no, your system won't crumble if you don't have them.

Even Grayman himself is using tubular stock manifold. Good Luck.

[1DangerousV6]

i've been boosted by a powerdyne a couple times..i have stock headers as well..and you're thinking NGK TR6 plugs not T36 plugs..i would also advise upgrading your fuel pump..i dont know how your injectors will be..personally even with an aftermarket pump i couldnt hit 9 psi without my 30# injectors..but you'll figure it all out..powerdynes are fun..good luck [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Shodown]

Yeah, I did mean TR6. The kit on superchargersonline.com states that it comes with an FMU. Is that the fuel pump or something else? Thats why I didnt list it.

I did forget to mention the new injectors as well. I was going to go with 36# but will 30# work better?

[1DangerousV6]

an FMU is not a fuel pump..FMU stands for fuel management unit..it kicks in when the kit creates boost..it shuts down the fuel to the return line and sends it all to the engine to handle the increased fuel requirement..as far as injectors..the higher the flow rate the larger fuel requirement they can handle..but i'd say for 8 psi either 30# or 36# would work just fine

[Shodown]

Thor,

Do you have tubular manifolds or the stock ones that came on them? I thought that the tubulars didnt come out until 2000+ years. I am curious if you modified your car to fit the tubulars.

[Shodown]

Whoa. Scratch that, it does NOT come with an FMU. I just cant read. ;)

[Shodown]

Do I need an FMU or is that optional?

[Mighty Thor]

No, I just have the regular manifold. Yeah you would need the FMU, unless you go with bigger injectors along with custom tuning.

FMU is different from the fuel pump. It connects to your return fuel line. When your car goes into boost the FMU goes into holding the fuel instead of returning it.

[Shodown]

Whats easier to install, the FMU or injectors? They are the same price for parts. Just lookin to make this as simple as possible. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[97rs4life]

well you would have to pay to get your car tuned with new injectors.

[Shodown]

Well, I planned on gettin it tuned and dynoed anyway. I'll do the injectors. Thanks.

[ March 01, 2006, 12:52 AM: Message edited by: Shodown ]

[Shodown]

Thor, what size/psi pulley do you run on your bird? I am contemplating on doing a 9 psi with an Ice Vex intercooler.

[grayman]

Great goals Showdown.
I will concetrate on the basics of getting an rksport supercharger kit up and running on your car and get to 'upgrading' the kit, etc latter... as you feel necessary.

I am reading words like 'simple' and money, etc. in your posts This also fits with the basic concept of 'just getting the basic supercharger kit up and running properly and efficiently on your car.'

Here Goes:

The basic rksport supercharger comew with a pulley that creates upto 6psi of boost. This is about 60 HP to the wheels when it kicks in. Not shabby. You will not need 'bigger' injectors to run with the stock 6psi pulley. You will however need to manual increase the fuel pressure while under boost. This is where the FMU comes in.

All the basic rksport v6 fbody kits come with an FMU. If you are getting a used kit then you will want to make sure you get ALL the parts. The fmu that rksports ships is a 6/1 ratio Vortech non adjustable unit. The 6/1 ratio will increase the fuel pressure to the injectors by a ratio of 6 pounds of fuel (psi of fuel) for every 1 psi of boost.

An FMU is not nearly as precise as a custum tune but it does increase the fuel flow of the injectors to safely run the 6 psi supercharger pulley.

You will not be able to tune the stock 22# injectors to handle the 6 psi pulley. In order to increase the fuel flow with out increasing the pressure is with larger injectors...that are custom tuned. But you don't need to worry about all this stuf yet because you are going to start off with the stock 6psi superchrger pulley and the FMU right?

(not yelling...but emphasing....) YOU MUST GET THE BASIC 6 PSI KIT UP AND RUNNING FIRST OR ELSE THINGS WILL GET VERY COMPLICATED FOR YOU AND FOR US TYRING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG.

You will not need a new fuel pump to run at 6 psi either. But, depending on how old your stock pump is having an FMU on the car will put more load on the fuel pump and possibly reduce it's service life. The FMU creates MORE pressure in the fuel dlivery system and that pressure puts a load on the fuel pump.

It is generaly agreed, however than when you 'cross the line' into greater than 6 psi (such as a 9 psi pulley) that you will need or should install a higher volume fuel pump. But we don't need to worry about that yet, right?

Also, there are limits to how much pressure you can safely run on the stock fuel hoses and connections and rails and such. At 6psi with a 6/1 FMU the fuel pressure goes from 50 psi up to 86 psi. How much more is safe? I don't want to find out the hard way. For this and other reasons upgrading the entire system to run more than 6psi is pretty darn expensive and/or time consuming.

As for headers:
You do not need to have headers. yes, certain mods compliment each other but just getting the 6 psi up and running even on your stock manifolds will be significant HP increase. Just ask MT to give you a ride in his car.... or mine.
budabudabudabuda...WAAAWHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
You get the idea? [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img]

[ March 01, 2006, 03:23 AM: Message edited by: grayman ]

[grayman]

oh, as for the 1.9 rockers.... um, have you been following the latest threads over in advanced tech?

check out Kal-Els thread. Double check with us over there before you actually do the mod. There are things you need to know. important things about the timing chain dampner, spring choice, retainer choice, etc. They do work though. I don't have a before/after comparison as regards the super charger because i did the rockers before the supercharger.

Good luck with the project. g

p.s. Please consider adding at least the year of your car and it's tranny to your sig. It will greatly help to expidite informed and responsible replies to your performance modification inquiries.

[ March 01, 2006, 03:33 AM: Message edited by: grayman ]