Ford Mustang Supercharger Will Make You Feel Like You Own a High Performance Muscle Car
A Ford Mustang supercharger is one of the simplest ways to boost the performance of your vehicle. This will give you immediate results, and the difference would be more than noticeable. A standard supercharger can give you around a 60% increase in power, and you can easily find models that offer even more powerful performance boosts.
Naturally, it all depends on the model of the vehicle, series, and year. If we take a look at Mustangs, the choices are almost limitless. Each series and generation of Mustang can have a different engine, and you will need to find a model suitable for your vehicle.
Here, we will go through some of the options you have for Mustangs, how to upgrade them, and some other things you might find useful if you own this legendary Ford car.
What Is a 5.0 Supercharger?
Superchargers are air compressors designed to provide more air to the combustion chamber. Since the size of the chamber has a certain volume, the only way to add more air is if the air is compressed. This allows the engine to burn more fuel and thus create more power. In this particular case, a 5.0 means that the supercharger is designed for a 5.0 engine. The number doesn’t show the size of the blower but the fitment instead.
[read more]Types of Superchargers
There are many types of superchargers you can find on the market, and each can offer something a bit different.
- Turbo
- Centrifugal superchargers
- Positive displacement pumps
When buying a supercharger, people would usually focus on either PD pumps or centrifugal superchargers. While turbos are essentially superchargers, the primary difference is that they are powered by exhaust fumes instead of being driven mechanically and connected to the crankshaft.
Out of the remaining two types, PD pumps are probably more popular. There are four different types of PD pumps:
- Roots
- Lysholm
- Scroll-type
- Sliding vane
Roots-type and Lysholm are the most common for vehicles, and they have a similar design. Furthermore, Roots superchargers have two identical screws, and they usually have two lobes.
Lysholm, on the other hand, offers male and female screws, and it is also known as a twin-screw supercharger. There is also a subcategory of Lysholm superchargers named Whipple, but more on that later.
So, if you are looking to get a Ford Mustang supercharger, you can get a turbo, centrifugal supercharger, or PD pump. As to which model is the best, well, it depends. Each type of supercharger offers something different, and they all come with pros and cons. It is up to you to find the model you need for your Mustang.
2018 Mustang GT Superchargers
The first thing we need to address here is the Mustang GT from 2018. These vehicles are a part of the sixth generation of Mustangs, and the production started in 2015. The first part of the series was from 2015 until 2017, and GTs had 5.0L engines with 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.
However, the current model was introduced in 2018, and it is available to this day. While the engine is still a 5.0-liter Coyote V8, there is a slight improvement in performance. The updated engine delivers 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Sixth-Gen Engines
The Sixth generation of Mustangs started in 2015, and Ford used many different engines for their models.
| Model | Horsepower/Torque | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Mustang V6 | 300 hp and 280 lb-ft | 2015–2017 |
| EcoBoost | 310 hp and 320/350 lb-ft | 2015–2017, 2018–present |
| Mustang GT | 435/460 hp and 400/420 lb-ft | 2015–2017, 2018–present |
| Shelby GT350 | 526 hp and 429 lb-ft | 2015–present |
| Shelby GT500 | 760 hp and 625 lb-ft | 2020–present |
These are just some examples of how engines changed for each model in the sixth generation, and Ford also offered models for export with different performances.
What to Know Before Installing a Ford Mustang Supercharger
If you are looking to supercharge your Mustang, it is essential to know the series of the car as well as the year of manufacturing. If you have a 2018 Mustang GT, that means that the engine inside is a 5.0L Coyote V8. There is a high chance that you won’t be able to install a supercharger designed for the first part of the series, and you will need to find a current one. In general, a supercharger can produce between 700 and 750 horsepower based on the model you buy. Either way, you will get a significant increase in power from the original 460, and the difference will be simply outstanding!
What Types of Ford Superchargers Exist
In essence, superchargers for Ford are available in all types we mentioned before. You can get a superturbocharger or, simply, turbo, but you can also get a positive displacement pump or centrifugal supercharger. It is completely up to you.
The Difference
The primary difference here is that turbos performance is tied to RPM, which isn’t something many drivers enjoy. Since superchargers are usually connected to the crankshaft via a belt, they are able to provide a boost at a much more lower or street-able RPM.
But, it all comes down to a personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve with the blower. Saying that one type is better than the other would be completely wrong since each has its advantages.
You can also find both Roush and Whipple superchargers for Mustangs. The important thing is that both will boost the performance. Not many people are looking to get a 300 horsepower increase, which is one of the primary factors for deciding which model to buy. Of course, the budget and the price of superchargers will play an important role in the decision as well.
How Can A Ford Racing Supercharger Improve Your Vehicle
The most obvious thing you will get from a Ford Mustang supercharger is an increase in performance. Specifically, you will get more horsepower. As for the specific numbers, it mostly depends on the model of your vehicle and the supercharger you pick.
If we are talking about Mustang GT, the increase in horsepower can be more than 60%. You can easily find models that offer between 70% and 75%, which is a significant difference in performance. You can expect the similar horsepower levels from a 2006 GT Mustang supercharger too.
Naturally, you will also notice an increase in torque, and the amount depends on the model you pick. Some Ford racing supercharger kits can help your Mustang reach over 600 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for just about anyone.
The best thing about superchargers is that they offer an immediate increase in performance, and they can fit all vehicles with the same engine. In this case, it applies to the sixth generation of Mustangs, and you can install them on a vehicle made between 2015 and 2017. For example a 2015 Mustang GT supercharger. However, the later versions will require a different supercharger.
Installation Process for Mustang GT Supercharger
Installation of a supercharger depends on several factors:
- Previous experience
- Type of supercharger
- Time
- Whether you bought a kit or not
The first thing we should mention is that it is possible to buy a supercharger without a kit. But, we wouldn’t recommend it. Supercharger kits come with all the necessary parts you need for the installation. That can include intercoolers, pressure release valves, fuel pumps, and anything else you need for the blower to work as intended.
Whether you buy a supercharger kit or a blower individually, you will be faced with two options:
- Install it yourself
- Leave it to the professionals
Both of these options can be good, depending on your experience. If you don’t mind doing the work alone, you will be able to do it in ten to twelve hours as long as you have the necessary tools and follow the instructions.
There Is Another Option
Keep in mind that installing a supercharger can be complicated. If you don’t feel comfortable with it, you can always let someone else do it. There is nothing wrong with leaving your car at a recommended auto mechanic and letting them do everything for you. It is the safest option and the only way to ensure that nothing goes wrong. If you don’t have prior experience, this might be something you’d want to consider.
Roush 2013 Mustang Stage 1 Supercharger Installation
If you own a 2013 Mustang, your vehicle is a fifth-generation model. While both 2015 and 2013 models might have the same name, metaphorically speaking, there are so many differences between the two. Firstly, the design of these two vehicles is different, and there are only slight similarities between them.
As for the engine, a 2013 Mustang GT has a 5.0-liter V8 with 420 horsepower. This is the upgraded version of the previous model, which offered 8 hp less. Keep in mind that the sixth generation of Mustangs used many different engines, from 3.7-liter V6 to 5.8-liter V8.
In general, the installation process is identical for each vehicle. However, there might be slight differences based on the series and model of the engine. If you already supercharged a vehicle before, installing a new supercharger shouldn’t be a problem.
One of the things we should mention is that the kit often needs calibration, and you need to plan everything accordingly if you want to fully improve the supercharger’s performance.
Roush vs. Whipple 2018 Mustang Supercharger: What Is the Difference
Roush Performance dates back to 1995 when Jack Roush started his own automotive engineering business. Roush worked for Ford before that, which is why Roush superchargers are a go-to for many Mustang owners.
The second type of supercharger is Whipple. This is a subcategory of twin-screw design, and the only difference is in the number of lobes. The male screw has three lobes, and the female has five. That is always the case.
Another important thing for Whipple blowers is that lobes never touch each other, nor do they touch the case. The tolerance is quite high, which is the main reason why they offer excellent performance and cost a bit more.
So, the main difference between Roush and Whipple is in design. Roush Stage 1 and 2 had Roots-type screws, and both had four lobes. As we mentioned before, Roots-type superchargers have two identical screws.
Which One Is Better?
Saying that one is better than the other would be completely wrong. Some people prefer Roots-type, while others like the twin-screw design. And the truth is, both are great. One of the primary reasons people often choose Roush is that the company still works closely with Ford, and you can even let Ford install the supercharger for you. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and which model you enjoy more.
04 Mustang GT: Can I Tune a Supercharger?
The short answer is — yes, you can tune a supercharger. However, there are models that don’t require additional tuning. That doesn’t mean that you should run a supercharged vehicle without a tuner, though. The safest option is to do what the manufacturer recommends.
In almost every case, superchargers come with an instruction manual. You will be able to learn not only about the installation but maintenance as well. The manufacturer will state the recommended oil and how often you should replace it.
If the company states that tuning a supercharger is necessary, then that is what you should do.
Why Getting a Roush Supercharger for Mustang GT Is the Best Option
As we mentioned before, Roush is still closely associated with Ford, and there are even models that come with preinstalled superchargers. Since Jack Roush worked for Ford, he knew how everything worked and what required improvement.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that other models are bad. However, keep in mind that Roush offers superchargers for Ford while other companies focus on more than one brand. In general, this is a clear sign that Roush is an excellent option.
The company knows what it’s doing, and it has been designing superchargers for Mustangs for decades. As for the results, getting a 70% boost in hp is more than enough reason to go for Roush superchargers.
Mustang Superchargers Are the Way to Go
If you are looking for a simple way to boost performance, a Ford Mustang supercharger is the answer. Getting a kit will arrive with all the necessary parts, and your local service will be able to install it in a few hours.
The best thing about it is that supercharger kits don’t require permanent modifications, and even if you don’t like having increased performance, you can always remove them. All you need to worry about is finding the right model for your vehicle and having fun with the supercharger once the process is over.
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2 comments
It’s great that you talked about how a mustang supercharger is one of the simplest way to boost the performance of your vehicle. I recently got into the hobby of customizing my car and I am thinking of additional ways of customizing it. I heard adding a Mustang supercharger would be a great choice so I’d like to try it out.
Sounds like a great plan Luke, very exciting ! Let us know how you get on with it, good luck with your project!