[Jjarvis]

Hi.
I am starting my first project, and will be putting a 1991 302 into a 1961 rambler.

I want to build a street rod with a supercharger. Looks and some amount of functionality. I want it to be fun... I don't intend to be the best on the block, but I would like some ability to go fast while being able to drive around town and take my kids to school and such.

I can turn a wrench but otherwise have minimal experience with engine building. I have an engine machining company near me that can do heavy lifting on the block (they do some competitive racing I think). But I want to do the majority of the rebuilding work myself (with help from my kids as I go).

I hope to bore the block; do what I need with a cam shaft and so on.
I expect to do a carburated engine with a supercharger.

I'll be (at this point) putting an 8.8 on the rear.

How do I start? What horsepower should I plan for? Does this include what the supercharger does? How do I find/choose a supercharger? How fast can I go while also being a reasonable street vehicle?
I also have not chosen a transmission - and I want a manual.

Try to respond in english please And Thanks!

Joel

 

[CatSkinner]

First, if you go with the 5 speed that was put on the mustangs, they were only good for about 350 HP. Any thing high performance will have a higher cost, but you might be able to be safe up to 600 lb-ft of torque. The original 91 Fox Body (the easiest build to match in this scenario) is good for around 225 may be 250 HP. The original choke points of the engine were the intake and the heads. Without the aid of forced induction, you can still make well over 350 HP with a 91 when it is still EFI. If you want the carburated look, the 5.0 is still a Windsor block, you can always get a carburetor intake and go with the aftermarket EFI kits, you have to look real close to see that it's a throttle body and not a carburetor.
Something else to consider: if you don't plan on modifying the hood, you might not be able to fit a supercharger top of it, but if you want that added boost, there's still turbocharging and centrifugal superchargers. But here's the real question, how much do you want to spend? In all cases, Horsepower=$$. If you go above 350 HP, you now have to reconsider the drive train. In both forced induction and naturally aspirated, you have to improve the airflow. This means the intake and heads should be replaced with something the flows more freely. You should also consider a roller cam if the engine has a flat tappet set up. I found an article that explains it quite a bit. Also, if you go with a naturally aspirated, you can always revisit the supercharger down the line. I have an article that has the pros and cons of each and how to get there (in general terms without getting too techy).

Naturally Aspirated vs. Forced Induction Part 1: Naturally Aspirated Fox Body Motors

www.americanmuscle.com