A supercharger for the 5.0 Level II
 

Well, I ran across another "deal that I couldn't refuse"...

It's a Ford Racing centrifugal supercharger kit intended for the Explorer/Mountaineer 302's. Progress has been slow, partly because of the nature of the "kit" and partly because I have been busy with real life.





The kit was designed, manufactured and distributed by Powerdyne Automotive Products (reorganizing, out of business, whatever - depends on who you ask). In the past, it was also rebadged and sold through Ford Racing which is the version that I have.

Kit positives:

• Inexpensive (in this case, almost free)
• Bracketry intended to fit my Explorer engine
• Most of the important parts were included

Kit negatives:

• Not a true bolt on kit. Many parts were missing or didn’t fit.
• Fuel Management Unit (boost driven fuel pressure regulator) instead of a legitimate PCM tune and upgraded fuel delivery system
• Fixed belt tensioners (as opposed to OE spring loaded) that do NOT work well with the serpentine belts
• Vague, incomplete instructions
• No parts list
• No technical support

In addition to the kit problems, the Powerdyne BD11A supercharger unit has its own shortcomings:

• No bypass valve. This can lead to internal cogbelt failure when the throttle is snapped shut under boost.
• No provision for external bearing lubrication supply or cooling. Special high temp ceramic bearings are supposed to do the job but have proven to be marginal in the field, especially if the boost is increased over the original 5~6 PSI.

I have worked through the installation problems and it has been up and running for a while. After eliminating the FMU, upsizing the injectors and tweaking the PCM calibration, it runs pretty good. The various other issues will be addressed eventually.

Sweet. This is like 3 supercharger installs in the last 30-45 days. You guys are going for it.

Amazing.

Are you going to put that thing on a dyno once your done. Yet another awesome mod

Damnnn, DO WORK!!!

Nicely done Bob. How much more power you think your getting now that it's partially tuned?

Man... I bet your truck would be fun to drive.

Nice. I can see you going through a set of tires quickly during "test & tune."

When the cleanest 5.0 install meets boost . . . wow, goodbye pants (and tires).

PS - Thanks for the help on the dash swap I PM'd you about via RPS.

only Bob! very nice Job.

So when can i go for a ride? ;)

Very nice Bob. Your truck is definately a very clean ride. I really like how the engine bay looks mostly stock. Very nice!

Btw if you ever take it out to the track let me know. I'm pushing close to 300 at the crank now and could give you a decent run.

Rich

Yeah, i want a ride too!!! I can't wait to see the numbers that bad boy lays down...

I think you might be disappointed. This engine will never make "big" real world HP numbers because it is in a very mild state of tune and the RPM is limited to what the torque converter can take without ballooning (<5400). Those high HP small blocks that you hear about are both highly modded and turning way more revs (HP is proportional to Torque x RPM).

So what do you realistically think she will lay down? (hp and torque) Regardless, it will still move a ranger pretty good....lol

Bob, you are tryly amazing. a genious and my hero, since i never made it to the last RF meet in Jackson. let me know when i can some worship you and your truck

Bob, you never seise to amaze me.

Factory Explorer rating is 215/288. Based on that, I think that 275HP/350TQ is a reasonable swag for the current configuration (headers and blower). It's just for the fun factor anyway. I doubt that I would ever pay to have it dynoed.

Holy crap Bob! That is amazing! Very cool!

hey Bob, you should take your truck into a Ford dealer for your next oil change just to mess with them! lol

your truck is amazing!

Hi. I would like to service my Rangespolder. Check the oil in the 302 and check the rear discs please. Also check to see if the information center is reading correctly thanks.

haha that would be awesome

^ dealer wouldnt even notice anything.

Exploranger people!! It's an Exploranger Level II!!

Holy Cow I missed this thread. Absolutely awesome Bob. Hopefully i'll get to see it in a couple of weeks in Jackson.

Bob, I want your truck and you knowledge!

nobody will ever have Bobs knowledge. The people that invented the stuff Bob knows about dont even know as much about it as Bob does