Kenne Bell Big Bore 2.6L: Best Supercharger Available for the S197?
We recently refinanced the house, therefore we had a bit of unexpected money. So my wife says, “Do you still want that power thing?”. By “power thing” she meant the supercharger I’ve been dreaming and drooling over since I first knew they were available for the S197, and more precisely, since I first knew they existed at all when I saw one for the first time at the drag strip as a young boy. Then she says, “make sure you get the one you really want so we never have to buy another one". I thought I was dreaming but I wasn’t.
So I have the green light to get the best supercharger available for my car. Now I understand nobody can ever say what’s “the best”. Everyone is different and has different reasons for what they want and need. But I’ve done as much research as I ever have and come to the conclusion that the new Kenne Bell Big Bore 2.6L twin screw supercharger is the best you can get for the S197 at this time.
First of all, let’s cut the argument over what kind of supercharger, i.e. roots, centrifugal, twin screw, or even turbo is better. The all have their strong points but for me the twin screw was the only choice for due to the instant throttle response that only the twin screw can supply. I’m the epitome of a “Street/Strip guy”. I put 35,000 miles a year on my car. Not because I use it for work or take long trips, I just think it’s fun to drive so I do it all the time, shine it up and go cruising. Then I put over 600 quarter mile passes a year on it. Only the twin screw type gives the instant street response fun that I like and the super high HP potential I want for the drag strip. That left the twin screw types from the Kenne Bell line, Whipple, Saleen, and a few others. The Whipple and the Kenne Bell stood out to me but on closer inspection the new Kenne Bell Big Bore series was easily better than any of the others, IMHO, of course.
Below are, as far as I can tell, undisputed facts about the 2.6L Big Bore Kenne Bell as it is relates to all twin screw, under the hood superchargers available for the S197, including the previous Kenne Bell S197 model, the 2.4L.
-Largest rotors available.
-Largest bore available.
-6x4 lobes vs. 5x3 for most.
-Largest bearings available.
-Largest shafts available.
-Largest volume available (2.6L).
-Best overall efficiency from across entire RPM range.
-Highest HP Potential available (950 HP).
-Flattest torque curve available.
-Largest pulley sizes available (per boost psi). This means more belt contact (33% more vs. most).
-Slowest rotor speed per boost psi available.
-Lowest parasitic loss available.
Below are company claims, not undisputed facts. They are very important to me, but taken with a grain of salt.
-Best, most well researched tunes available. (They make a very compelling case at their web site, see below.)
-Best step by step installations available. Important to me because I’ll be installing it.
-Most complete kit available.
So, anyone out there know of something better? Care to talk me out of the Kenne Bell Big Bore? Am I wrong thinking this is far and away the best supercharger available for the S197? It’s going to be difficult to persuade me to change my mind but I am very open to suggestions and opinions. Tell me what you think, I'll be placing the order on February 15th so I have time to be persuaded.
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2005 Mustang GT with 04 Cobra iron block, 300 ci, Kenne Bell 2.6l twin screw, P&P S3 Heads, SS valves, Comp S3 cams, Currie 9+ 9" rear end and DS (coming soon), Hurst shifter, BMR K-member, A-arms, LCAs & UCA, JBA long tubes & mid-pipe, Accel COPs, GT500 fuel pumps, much more... 659 RWHP, 598 Tq @ 12 psi & 5800 RPM
2005 Sonic Blue, a.k.a. "BAD 05 GT", Auto Trans (and damn proud of it!) Best 1/8 mi: 6.691 @ 103.04, DA= 1,166' (2-19-09) Best 1/4 mi: 10.37 @ 132.98 (3-14-08)
Kenne Bell 2.8L SC, Boss 5.0 Block w/Cobra crank, Diamond Pistons, Scat Rods, Livernois P&P Heads - Check out my Homepage for Full Mod List and Videos
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwilly43729
HP numbers are good and all, but they are like asking someone how much they can bench. What difference does it make if I can still kick your a$$?
Good choice.
If you like driving your car now wait until you put a supercharger on it.
The under drive pullies will have to go,
and you might want to get a one piece driveshaft.
you did good.....cant argue with ya there.
I mainly went with the Saleen so I could use my JLT2 CAI but now I see its not staying on...goin with the 90mm MAF setup.
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Saleen S/C 3.2 pulley tuned by JDM Engineering, GT500 pumps, CHE goodies on the rear, 4.10's, KOOKS/ high flow catted X pipe with PYPES Violators, Spydershaft, TCI 3500 stall, PA deep tranny pan. Meziere w/p,M&H 325/45/17 DRs.
future mods.... a 3.0 pulley
steve_ you put a water heater in the car??!! Man....
Sounds like a good choice. Document the install for those of us following in your footsteps!
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2005 Satin Silver GT 5spd, IUP, ICAP, bullits, active alarm, lug locks, side a!rbags, shaker 500, XM Roady 2, JLT cold air, Xcal2 w/ SCT 93 oct tune, & custom fab'd ram air duct, BMR Sway Bars, Hurst Competition plus shifter
Custom blackout on hood and trunk with Steeda street wing and Ford Racing hood pins
Saleen S/C 3.2 pulley tuned by JDM Engineering, GT500 pumps, CHE goodies on the rear, 4.10's, KOOKS/ high flow catted X pipe with PYPES Violators, Spydershaft, TCI 3500 stall, PA deep tranny pan. Meziere w/p,M&H 325/45/17 DRs.
future mods.... a 3.0 pulley
I went with the Saleen blower with JDM Stage II at 10psi.
There are no tuners in my area I would trust tuning my car which is why I went with JDM.
They have a perfect track record on the 500+ upgrade packages that they have sold.
My goals were simple 11.50 on pump gas. I accomplished that and then some with 10 psi, roadrace suspension (no swaybar delete etc.) and street wheels.
My front wheels are 275/40 18" and weigh 55 lbs each.
The Saleen has gone as low as 10.20 on a full weight car which is not bad with its 2.3L size.
I don't know why but I haven't seen compareable track numbers from Kenne Bell equipped cars with similar mods.
I'm not saying that the Kenne Bell can't produce the same numbers but I haven't seen it done on a car with an otherwise stock motor. If anyone has proof to the contrary I'd love to see it.
Maybe it goes back to who is making the tunes or who is driving the car but If I installed a blower with 10psi I would not be happy with anything higher than 11.50 on a full weight car.
Best of luck with your purchase.
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05 White GT Premium 5 Sp. IUP, Active Alarm
BMR, C&L, Centerforce, Fidanza, FRPP, GI Joe, JBA, JDM Engineering, LPW, Saleen, SCT, Steeda, SOS
Kenne Bell Big Bore 2.6L: Best Supercharger Available for the S197? 
