To Supercharge or not to Supercharge...is that even a question?

[robvas]

but a friend once told me its more fun to drive a "slow" car fast, than a fast car slow.

Sounds like he owns a slow car

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[John S]

I personally wouldn't want a centri with a manual, but you should try to drive both setups before you buy.

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments and rationalizations of why I should buy something I don't need, now to convince my wife.... Until I can compare the actual driving experiences of both types of blowers, please elaborate why you' wouldn't want a centrifugal with a manual. Is the boost/power drop during the shift an issue? Are clutch and drive train shock loads reduced with a centrifugal blower? Time to read through the hundreds of pages of comments in the 6G section.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Okay, before i get started with what might seem like a stupid question to many of you, let me give you a little backstory. I am nearly sixty, I live on a winding mountain road in the middle of nowhere and I drive about 4K miles in a good year. My question is "Should I add a supercharger from Ford to my 2025 Mustang GT?" I usually just trade in every year but I have always wanted a supercharged Mustang and I feel I may be getting to age where my years of being able to enjoy one are limited. I will not be drag racing, tracking it, nor any other type of tom foolery the young people get into with it. I just want to enjoy the sound and the fury of it. I want to feel what a Mustang feels like closer to it's full potential. Is it worth it? I would still be driving this as my main car the rare times I do leave my property. Does the supercharger make it impractical for normal use? Will I end up wrapped around a tree? I have high speed driving training, grew up blasting down country roads (great grandson of a true ridge runner) and am quite a good driver but I am not getting any younger. I am at an age where I am more established so the cost is not prohibitive (why can we only afford the fun stuff once we are too old, or sensible to fully enjoy it) but I am also very cheap so I want to know I am making the right decision before spending the money. Especially in this economy. However, since I am at the age where no one even pretends to be surprised if you just drop dead, I think I might want to risk it while I still can. Opinions? Especially from people that have done it.

Also, any recommendations on which kit. The Ford one would be the easiest and has a warranty but I'm curious if there is a reason to consider other options. I don't want to have to make any internal engine mods if I don't have to.

Since you are almost 60, maybe you are retired and rich already (I hope so) but if not stopping this habit of buying a new car every year and taking the massive hit when you buy each successive car could help you to get some more money socked away in the next few years prior to retiring.

I know, not what you asked about.

Blower - well, if you can afford it, and you just want it, and the cost won't derail your finances, then get it.

But, as somebody who grew up in Oregon and knows exactly what you mean by "winding mountain road," I can't think of anything that a blower or 800 hp could add to your driving experience that would be positive.

You do not want to drag race it. You do not want to track it. This, in spite of the fact that you have one of each not too far away from you (UPDATE: 2 tracks and 1 drag strip).

480 or 486 horsepower is already a lot to be playing on winding mountain roads. Maybe get headers, exhaust (look into getting rid of the 2.25" pinch for the resonator for better flow) and a tune for some more horsepower. Even without doing that, your car has more power than you can apply to the road with your tires when exiting a turn, way too much to use on a public roadway.

But, hey, I understand. I own lots of impractical things when it comes to my hobbies and interests, and that includes my Dark Horse.

I would encourage you to track the car. Oregon Raceway Park. If you put on a blower, upgrade the axles, install some sticky rear tires, and run it down Portland International Raceway (oh, they have a track there, too, in addition to a drag strip, and they have a lot of track days).

 

[CliffClavin]

I'm so close to pulling the trigger on this. Hoping a vendor has a black Friday sale next week on a whipple

 

[robvas]

Until I can compare the actual driving experiences of both types of blowers, please elaborate why you' wouldn't want a centrifugal with a manual.

They don't make any low end power and the gearing of the manual is too long. Sure, all you have to do is downshift but the Whipple changes the powerband way more.

A10 with the centri is fine. You'll still be a lot lower in rpm with every shift in the manual.

 

[MikeyV]

For me, 500 hp is more than enough for the street. I have my 25 GT and a 500 hp 71 Mach and they both have more power than I can really use.

I also felt my 420 hp 2014 had more then enough power.

That's me though.

 

[Sinthor 5.56]

I really want to do mine but ill never get it to a track, i drive 5-10km a day for work all in town, so never anywhere I could use the power, and with the silly "stunt driving" laws here would just very easy to get with that kind of power lol.

but a friend once told me its more fun to drive a "slow" car fast, than a fast car slow.

So you don't drive on any freeways or take trips? I would think maybe going to another town on the weekend (something I do from time to time). But bottom line, if the expense isn't worth the "fun factor" to you, you shouldn't do it. If it does...go for it. It is definitely a different experience. I wanted to have an insanely powered car at least once in my life, and I'm very glad I did. In fact, I think I'm going to keep that trend going now as long as I can drive! lol

 

[MustangMental]

How many of you guys running superchargers stuck with the OEM headers?

 

[Sinthor 5.56]

How many of you guys running superchargers stuck with the OEM headers?

Mine are stock so far. I do plan on changing them though.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Winding mountain roads + middle of nowhere + 800+ HP. That is a risk filled formula.

You may well be mature and skilled enough to drive within your Mustang's, your own, and the prevailing road conditions limits ALL THE TIME. "BUT" the one time you don't; might be the last time you do. 5-10 MPH too much speed (enjoying the new super charger), some gravel/sand/rocks, etc that's washed off the hill side, wet road, leaked oil/radiator fluid, etc..............................you get the drift. Hopefully; not over the edge into the ravine. What about the risk of wild life accidents in your area? Going faster (there's that darn SC again!) will decrease time to react, increase kinetic energy release on impact so and so forth.

You say you're not interested in track days, parking lot rodeo, dragging and what not. With 800 + under the hood you'd likely be safer enjoying your new HP/TQ at one of those venues. Supervised controlled conditions, no sand, gravel, oil, deer, likely some first aid/responders immediately available, etc.

Your car, your money, your priorities. Which ever way you choose.....................many happy miles and smiles to you!

PS: Let us know what you end up doing!

 

[schmeky7]

You don't air out a S/C mustang in the curves.

It will only go as fast as you want it to. It's a totally different animal with a S/C'er.

There literally are no downsides if you can afford it.

 

[robvas]

Drawbacks:

1. you could blow it up

2. the car will be stupid fast (yes that can be a drawback)

3. depending on your tires you may have serious traction issues below highway speeds. Like spin out and fly off the road.

4. gets expensive fast

 

[Stanzi]

I am in my 60’s too and just supercharged my 2024 manual GT. First of all, this is the 4th quarter of life and since you can’t take it with you…YOLO. I also own a 2019 Z06 with auto transmission but wanted a manual with some kick and it exceeded my expectations. I used Lebanon Ford and they were great. As the others mentioned if you drive it normal you won’t notice the difference until you step on it. I did add some wider tires to help control the extra ponies.

Did you add wider wheels as well? What size tires? Thanks!

 

[Stanzi]

No one offers a one year lease.

Sure they do. You can do a one pay for 12 months with any car. Might not be the most effective rates residuals and money factor but it’s possible.

 

[WildWolf302]

Congrats!! I have the same car. I have the Brembo, 20in wheels OEM, leather and the Ford Perf. exhaust. I installed the Ford Perf Whipple supercharger, and a full Steeda suspension- every Steeda part was put on the entire suspension- you name it, it has it. All that power needs a suspension that can handle it. I added the Steeda minimum lowering springs to boot. I have full factory warranty on the SC, registered with FOMOCO. The car is allot of fun. Total spent with labor, suspension ($4600) and SC ($9500) was about 20k total. I also added the dual oil catch cans. Im old to, decided to do this. Will probably sell it in a year or so. I had to get this out of my system. The car has less than 3k and turns a year old next March. Plus I put the Whipple CAI with blue filters. It is very cool looking. ENJOY!! or wait a few months and I will sell you mine LOL!!! I dont drag race it or anything like that. It is my weekend car.

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