From knowing nothing to having a Thunderbird supercharger on an m20b27i

[george graves]

My other question is....are you using an articulating tensioner(spring loaded)? I assume that's almost mandatory. no?

[Ether-D]

No, I'm using the factory power steering belt tensioner. The extra pulley in there is just an idler.
Any of this may change depending on how well it functions or not. I'm sure there will need to be some tweaking once it's on the car.

[Ether-D]

Enough clearance with that hose?

Yep, indeed. It's about 1/4" to 1/2" clearance. I think it's gonna clear the top radiator hose too.

The belt setup is gonna need some refining before it's bullet proof, but I'm really just wanting to get it on the car sometime soon so I can feel it…er, uh, road test it. I've never had a car with big balls.

[george graves]

I think you'll find that you'll want a spring loaded tensioner. Not a big deal. They are a dime a dozen on most ribbed belt cars.

[Ether-D]

Really? Why won't the oe tensioner work? Or is it just for convenience?

[george graves]

My assumption is that the load on the belt can cause a lot of stress, and a dampener smooths that out, promotes longer belt life, and most of all - keeps the belt from jumping.

IIRC (and prove me wrong) is that most all SC set ups have one. I'm in no way an expert - just asking. So *don't quote me on that*.....

[Ether-D]

Ok, I'll just have to give that a real world test.
And GG, would you change that sig? I think she has the hots for me and it makes me a little uncomfortable...

[Ether-D]

It's official, it clears the hood. This is on my 87 vert. It has the old cooling system which doesn't work with my setup. But the important parts match. I'm in the process of bringing the 87 cabby back from redneck death.

Only problem so far is that the long stud in the center of the intake manifold has to be removed to install this. It can still be used, but it has to be pulled and inserted into the manifold hole before the manifold goes on and then threaded in. Minor inconvenience.

[Q5Quint]

How thick is that alum plate?

I think I am just going to do a mounting plate under the stock manifold out of steel and was wondering if 1/8" would do it. My belt setup should look about exactly like yours with the old belt tensioner from my truck.

[Ether-D]

It's 1/4" plate. I wanted to be certain it would be strong enough.

[bradnic]

SUB'D

Looking for an m20 SC setup similar to whodwho's

[TheTacoMan]

Just a heads up if thats an ebay fan, it will not keep it cool in traffic at all. My buddy had two of the same thing too.

Also clean that engine bay, its duuurrrtttyyyy

[Ether-D]

It is, but it's just what came on my beater vert. It's not being driven. It's my test fit subject.

[anabolice30]

I don't see how a supercharger is not gonna take you way over 200hp. Don't know shit about them, but it seems if a turbo'd m20 makes 300whp+ at like 10 psi according to most people a supercharged m20 would be making even more than that..

[Ether-D]

That's true. I will probably run it at 6 or so psi at first. Then pulley it up to 10ish. It is likely gonna make a fair bit of power. I'm thinking upper 200s now. This project grew a bit.