Hood clearance using a Kenne Bell supercharger?

[Hans944]

Has anyone experienced any clearance issues with your roadster hood when installing a Kenne Bell 2.1 supercharger? I have an older 5.0 in an Mk I...

Are there any other issues to be concerned with relating to adding a Kenne Bell 2.1 SC?

[Mike N]

Never had any issues with mine. The only spot it gets close is at the elbow on top of the throttle body where the hose connects to the oil filler on the valve cover. Here is a photo through the air scoop. Look at the far left hand side and you can see the elbow and hose.

26994

[Dan Babb]

What engine mounts do you have? I had energy suspension poly mounts on my first car and it cleared fine. If you new any room, convertible mounts will lower the engine a bit.

Make sure you upgrade the fuel system (pp, injectors and maf meter to match)

[skullandbones]

Are you going to be running 6 psi boost on your setup? You said it was an older 5.0 so I wasn't sure if you had done any bottom end work to prepare for the extra head pressure. I don't know how much these stock 5.0s will take but I have heard 6 psi is OK. What size injectors and fuel pump are you planning? BTW, I called the Kenne Belle shop and asked if they had any customers with FFR roadsters and the guy was very negative about the fitment of a KB SC on the roadster. So I thought maybe the newer ones had gotten taller so they wouldn't fit. I may give them a call and talk with someone else. Thanks, WEK.

Note: the pic shows another way to get some clearance on the throttle body if you need it.

[Mike N]

A few more details on my fitment. The photo above shows the fitment with Energy Suspension urethane mounts. The fitment above was using the stock Mustang valve covers. If you want to run the Ford raised rib Cobra valve covers you will need a 3/8" spacer between the blower and the lower intake. I did this and needed to replace my engine mounts with solid lowered mounts.

There is not a ton of room between the hood and supercharger. You said you have a MkI. I am assuming you don't have a hood liner. If you have a hood liner you will have much less clearance and it may not fit. Take a look at my photo, notice the rough inner surface of the hood, there is no inner liner. Kenne Bell is correct that on later FFR's there is probably not enough clearance for a true bolt on. Lowered engine mounts and some cutting of the inner hood liner may be required. Also note that the Flowzilla intake is taller by 1/2" or so compounding the clearance issues further. The intake on my set up is the regular intake that bolts onto the Ford 5.0 lower, not the GT40 lower.

In my opinion if you really want to run the Kenne Bell you can make it fit but it may take a little finessing here and there.

[Hans944]

Thanks, Mike and Skull and Bones for the input. I believe my engine is a 5.0 GT 40 Ford Racing long block crate motor (340 HP). I am the second owner and don't have the exact paperwork on the engine, so I'm also trying to figure out exactly which engine I have in the car. It has GT40 heads and a GT 40 intake...

I called Kenne Bell and they discouraged me ( like Skull & Bones experience with them). They said there could be fitment issues and someone with a roadster returned a SC for that reason. I haven't changed anything yet (injectors, fuel pump etc) but am more in the inquiry stage. I still want the car to be driven regularly and not to radical to drive or have constant mechanical issues with it if I added the SC. The car runs good now, but I could always use more performance....

I bought the car last September and have put about 1900 miles on it to date... I drive it regularly even when its cold.... I have a lot of respect for the car and am still pushing the limits while driving it. I certainly enjoy driving it.

[Mike N]

Like Dan said above make sure you have the fuel system in place before you install the blower. I run a 255 LPH pump and 42 lb injectors. Also you will need some sort of ignition retard. If you don't you will become very good at changing head gaskets.

You will love the Kenne Bell. It will make your small block feel like a big block with gobs of low and mid range torque. Yes you can overpower the tires if you are not careful but the power is so manageable and easy to modulate.