I've been trying to decide what would be better and easier to install on a carbureted 460. I hadn't considered a Vortech or Paxton until recently, when I saw that Vortech has a kit for carb'd sbc's. After that I've been weighing things like cost, ease of install, driveability, etc. of installing either an 8-71 blower or Vortech. What I'm aiming for is a torque-monster, 600+ lb/ft of torque at 2500rpm, probably around 450hp with an RV cam and stock heats (probably buy Edelbrock heads someday). According to some reasearch I've done and playing around with Desktop Dyno 2000, both the roots and Vortech should be able to deliver that kind of power with around 8psi of boost. Here's what I've come up with so far:
The 8-71 install would cost around $3000. Installation would require hood modifications (which looks cool, but requires work), but other than that would basically be like installing a new intake and a different crank pulley. I think I would need a vacuum pump for the power brakes and accessories (correct me if I'm wrong). This would definitely make good boost at low RPMs, and ultimately would produce the power results I'm looking for.
Cost of installing the Paxton would probably be around $2000. Installing it would require fabrication of brackets (not a big deal). I would probably run a cogged belt, but getting a crank pulley for a big-block ford might be a problem. Hood clearance would not be an issue, meaning it would be somewhat of a sleeper, which is cool. Again, I would need a vacuum motor for my power brakes and such. Since the entire carburetor is pressurized, I don't know what would have to be done about fuel feed. I believe I would need to get an electric fuel pump to supply the carb with greater pressure than there is boost, meaning at least 10psi of fuel pressure. I'm not sure how well it would feed a big-block, but since I'm looking at a redline around 5000-5000rpm, I should be able to run slightly smaller pullies than normal to get better boost out of it. According to Dyno2000, it would produce just as much power as the 8-71, even though it's actually not making as much boost. This is probably because of the theory that roots superchargers heat the air more than centrifugal superchargers, but I'm not sure how true that holds in the real world.
Sorry for the HUGE post, but this has been something I've been thinking a lot on recently, and I figured that at least a few of you guys might have some input on this topic.
The 8-71 install would cost around $3000. Installation would require hood modifications (which looks cool, but requires work), but other than that would basically be like installing a new intake and a different crank pulley. I think I would need a vacuum pump for the power brakes and accessories (correct me if I'm wrong). This would definitely make good boost at low RPMs, and ultimately would produce the power results I'm looking for.
Cost of installing the Paxton would probably be around $2000. Installing it would require fabrication of brackets (not a big deal). I would probably run a cogged belt, but getting a crank pulley for a big-block ford might be a problem. Hood clearance would not be an issue, meaning it would be somewhat of a sleeper, which is cool. Again, I would need a vacuum motor for my power brakes and such. Since the entire carburetor is pressurized, I don't know what would have to be done about fuel feed. I believe I would need to get an electric fuel pump to supply the carb with greater pressure than there is boost, meaning at least 10psi of fuel pressure. I'm not sure how well it would feed a big-block, but since I'm looking at a redline around 5000-5000rpm, I should be able to run slightly smaller pullies than normal to get better boost out of it. According to Dyno2000, it would produce just as much power as the 8-71, even though it's actually not making as much boost. This is probably because of the theory that roots superchargers heat the air more than centrifugal superchargers, but I'm not sure how true that holds in the real world.
Sorry for the HUGE post, but this has been something I've been thinking a lot on recently, and I figured that at least a few of you guys might have some input on this topic.
