[5twenty]

I took a 4 days weekend to install my new Kenne Bell Big Bore 2.6L twin screw supercharger this weeknd and it is done! It took 3 days to install and one morning to work the bugs out, all my mistakes that is. Of course the weather report here is for rain for the next 20 weeks so I don't know when I'll get to really work it out but this morning the roads were drt enough on the way to work so as I could give it a little test or two. Yes, it works GREAT! It starts pulling hard at 2500-2700 RPM and by 4500 RPM it is has outrageous torque, it just keeps pulling hard up to 5500. That's as high as I was able to go this morning. When driving normally or at city speeds you CANNOT tell it is even istalled on the car as the cars runs just as it does stock at these speeds and is completely silent. It doesn't start wailing until about 3700 RPM and then it only screams under load. It's the coolest sound I've ever heard. And you know when you put your CAI in and it made your engine louder from front? Well, this the KB CAI is tucked under the bumper so that engine intake noise goes away. It's really cool.

Installation was long and hard. However, the KB instructions are fantastic. Step-by-step all the way. Disassembly is 142 steps and assembly was 399 steps. Here's a brief rundown:

Disassembly: I had to remove the stock manifold, the bumper cover, headlights, etc. Then new mounting brackets for the fusebox on the CPM are installed to move them out of the way of the new CAI. The fusebox is moved down and forward a few inches and the CPM is moved from between the head the fender to between the radiator and the pulleys. The windshield washer bottle also gets replaced and is now on the driver's side where the stock airbox once was. You have then remove the heater core hose assembly from the firewall, including what Kenne Bell calls the "bolt from hell" behind the head. Getting to some of these locations on the firewall was a *****.

Assembly: I had to install the new CAI which is below the passenger headlight behind the bumber cover. Then I installed the new heat exchanger (radiator) for the intercooler behind the lower opening of the front of the car. Then I started hooking up all the plumbing, there's a bunch of it with the intercooler. The came electrical wiring. The location of the throttle body and the MAF are moved so you need to take apart the electrical harnesses in the engine compartment and strip back certain connections such as MAF, throttle position sensor, throttle actuator sensor, etc. and extend them or just re-loom the harness.

Then the manifold goes on, then more connections. Soon after that the supercharger goes on and you really start connecting hoses and electrical connectors at that point. When the engine compartment is complete you have to install a Kenne Bell boost-a-pump in the trunk. After that you fill up the coolant tanks, flash your CPM with the new Kenne Bell tune and fire it up!!

Mine didn't startup right away. I miswired the MAF connector and had a tiny kink in a vacuum hose. Once I fixed those two things then it started up and worked well right away.

Once I get the engine compartment cleaned up I'll get some picture in some good light and post them.

And yes, I know my engine compartment looks like crap. It rains up here and I drive it every day. Believe me, on race day it's always as shiny as brand new.

[mrvandermey]

Damn, does that look good. I am so jealous....Congrats my friend, that looks awesome...now go to the track for the results.

[5twenty]

Thanks. I thought of you every time I saw how dirty my engine compartment is. I thought Mr.V would be having a cow if his car looked like this. It'll look brand new very soon.

Track results coming as soon as it stops RAINING! Grrr.

[stlwagon]

Wow that looks nice... Sounds like it was hard work but I know you had fun!

[HG06GT]

Congrats. Looks fantastic. I envy you.

Ut-Oh, I feel x-mas coming on again!

[tripleblack]

Excellent. Its the way that motor SHOULD look (screw the dirt - look at that EQUIPMENT)!

Thanks for the post. Its the sort of thing that gives us all hope!

(And take it from an old shade tree mechanic, you done good!)

[rcm]

Holy Crap that looks great.

[06hoss]

Absolutely beautiful! Now that you can see the alternator, you'll have to get a chromed or polished one. LOL It never seems to end does it?

Are you running 8 psi or 9? On stock rods & pistons, right?

[don_w]

Congrats on getting it all done!! And welcome to the KB family. That polished version looks awesome. You are going to love it when you really get a chance to run it out. Keep us posted on your future track days!!

But... the pulley is too big.

[R3dF1r3]

Hey congrats on the KB.
I am in Seattle area. When the weather gets good, drop me a pm if you ever get into town, I'd like a ride.

Every July or so, the annual Mustang roundup at Bellevue Comm College is very kool, you should bring yr car then.

[5twenty]

I finally found some dry road and got to run through a couple gears. WOW! That's as low as it goes?? Second gear is on the verge of brealing the tires loose all the way to 6000 RPM. Third pulls really nice too. I'll be hoping for sunshine this Sunday so I can get to the track.

Originally Posted by 06hoss

Absolutely beautiful! Now that you can see the alternator, you'll have to get a chromed or polished one. LOL It never seems to end does it?

Are you running 8 psi or 9? On stock rods & pistons, right?

Thanks! Actually you can see a lot of things you couldn't see well before. And yes, I already thought of the chrome alternator...and valve covers and etc., etc....

I'll put in my boost gauge this week sometime but I have the 8# pulley and everyting internal is stock.

Originally Posted by tripleblack

Excellent. Its the way that motor SHOULD look (screw the dirt - look at that EQUIPMENT)!

Thanks for the post. Its the sort of thing that gives us all hope!

(And take it from an old shade tree mechanic, you done good!)

Before this Mustang I was intimidated by changing an alternator. Now I've installed a supercharger!!

Originally Posted by don_w

Congrats on getting it all done!! And welcome to the KB family. That polished version looks awesome. You are going to love it when you really get a chance to run it out. Keep us posted on your future track days!!

But... the pulley is too big.

Thanks Don. It's a 4" pulley!! Yes it is big, but I'm saving now for forged internals so I can make it smaller!! Let's see....every 1/8th inch=15 HP.....

Originally Posted by R3dF1r3

Hey congrats on the KB.
I am in Seattle area. When the weather gets good, drop me a pm if you ever get into town, I'd like a ride.

Every July or so, the annual Mustang roundup at Bellevue Comm College is very kool, you should bring yr car then.

I was on my way somewhere last year and drove right by that BCC get together. I wanted to stop so bad but I really needed to get somewhere. I remember it was a beautiful day. I'd like to try again this year. PM me and we'll get together sometime.

[marstng]

I have the 4" pulley and it runs between 8.5 -10 psi depending on hte weather. My run @ 12.54 was on a 95degree super humid day I can't wait to see what it'll do on a cooler day.


Welcome to the s/c kb club!!!!

[don_w]

Originally Posted by 5twenty

Thanks Don. It's a 4" pulley!! Yes it is big, but I'm saving now for forged internals so I can make it smaller!! Let's see....every 1/8th inch=15 HP...

HAHA... I still have the 4" pulley (8psi) in my tool box. I usually run a 3" (12psi), but I also have a 3.5" (10psi) that I have to run at one track [they warned me about running too quick without a cage, so I have to slow it down to race there... go figure ].

And I'm not so sure about that 1/8th inch=15 HP comparison. It's probably more like 1/4".

[sawyer]

Cograts,
I have had a handful of dry days since my install. It is actually safer in the rain sort of...if you get on it going 45 you will break the tires lose, but you will still track in a straight line. I am getting the 10 pound pully this spring.
Nice job installing it yourself!
Welcome to the KB family

[2005roush]

Looks awesome!!! Great work!!!