Kenne Bell or Saleen Series IV

CalStang02 · 04:17 PM

I am down to a Kenne Bell or a Slaeen Series IV blower for my 2002 GT vert.

I have done alot of reading on both and searched the boards for pro's and con's. I am asking for one last input before I make my decision..

A couple of questions too if anyone know. Why when both are screw blowers and making the same boost does the KB seem to make so much more rwhp. I see gt's with both running 9 psi and the KB will be 380+ rwhp and the saleen will be 310+ rwhp. What gives

I can get the intercooled KB setup for around $4900 and the Saleen for 4400. So the $500.00 difference while big isn't as big as the rwhp gap.

I do like the install of the saleen. Seems more factory and better quality as far as the intercooler. I like the ease of either install.

I dont want a vortech, paxton or procharger so do tell me how good they are. I am not racing the car I just want the car to have some ass when I need it and to be street driveable. I don't want to have it dyno tune to get every last horse out of it.

So the choice is either KB or Saleen..

Also any info on install problems or 3 months down the road problems. I have read the notes from Red Dragon and Pat. They were both a great help. Can't seem to find alot of info on the Saleen Series IV. Even Saleens page doesn't say much.

Thanks
Bill

**TJM01** · 11-16-03, 03:33 PM

Kennebell hands down.

First - Better design.

Second - Better design.

Third - Better design.

All kidding aside - the KB has an intake that is MUCH better than the Saleen kit. KB has much less of a restriction than the Saleen kit does. KB has an intercooler that is ten times better. Yeah you have to turn the alt around but that's small compared to the power output.

If I had to do it all over again I would buy that KB kit.

B C · 11-16-03, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalStang02

I am down to a Kenne Bell or a Slaeen Series IV blower for my 2002 GT vert.

I have done alot of reading on both and searched the boards for pro's and con's. I am asking for one last input before I make my decision..

A couple of questions too if anyone know. Why when both are screw blowers and making the same boost does the KB seem to make so much more rwhp. I see gt's with both running 9 psi and the KB will be 380+ rwhp and the saleen will be 310+ rwhp. What gives

I can get the intercooled KB setup for around $4900 and the Slaeen for 3900. So the $1000.00 difference while big isn't as big as the rwhp gap.

I do like the install of the saleen. Seems more factory and better quality as far as the intercooler. I like the ease of either install.

I dont want a vortech, paxton or procharger so do tell me how good they are. I am not racing the car I just want the car to have some ass when I need it and to be street driveable. I don't want to have it dyno tune to get every last horse out of it.

So the choice is either KB or Saleen..

Also any info on install problems or 3 months down the road problems. I have read the notes from Red Dragon and Pat. They were both a great help. Can't seem to find alot of info on the Saleen Series IV. Even Saleens page doesn't say much.

Thanks
Bill

From what I understand the problem with the Saleen is the intake is more restrictive.

Check out this thread;
http://www.corral.net/forums/showthr...hreadid=315345

Also I don't think the Saleen blower is better quality than the KB. KB had their choice of the blower that Saleen uses or the Autorotor. They went with Autorotor because they felt it was better quality. The Autorotor intercooler is supposed to be one of the best on the market. Autorotor makes the KB and owns Lysholm who manufactures the blowers for Whipple and Saleen. Call KB and ask them the specifics of the above comments I made.

Their is a guy on this board named Hoppy. I think he is selling his Saleen IV to buy a KB. You might want to look him up. He might make you a good deal.

Good luck with your decision.

el_kid_1 · 11-16-03, 10:21 PM

Just take a look at my avatar! KB rules!

inertia · 11-17-03, 04:38 PM

BrightBlue00GT · 11-18-03, 03:53 AM

Yup, hands down... KB!

**RydeOn** · 04:59 PM

..and heres one more for Kenne Bell!

Quote:

I dont want a vortech, paxton or procharger so do tell me how good they are.

Screw that. These blowers kinda suck, lol!

But you should still dyno tune. Its not about squeezing the last power out. Its all about having a silky smooth daily driver, and thats what a dyno tune accomplishes.

**WOT** · 11-20-03, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RydeOn

..and heres one more for Kenne Bell!

Screw that. These blowers kinda suck, lol!

CalStang02 · 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WOT

WOT

What does your post mean?

If you are going to post to my question than please provide something useful and not just taking up space.

I wasn't looking for votes on which one to buy, I was asking for pro's and con's of each system. When I drop $5000.00 on something I want to make sure I have all the info I can. I know the KB is good and I have been leaning towards it. But like any system there has to be problems with it also.

I am okay with that as long as I know what to expect. Its when you pay $5000.00 for a supercharger system and them have to spend another grand getting it tuned in. I am not into that BS.

I want a system that gives me power on demand, is driveable and requires little to no fiddling with after the install.

If anyone has an input to this question, help and advise is welcome.

Thanks

**RydeOn** · 06:20 PM

Calstang, the kenne bell is pretty much the perfect blower. It looks like you have done your research very well.

But let me say just this. I know you dont want to spend all your hard earned money and then have to spend more on tuning. But tuning is part of the equation. Fact of the matter is that a Mustang is not designed to be a supercharged car. There are many parameters that must be changed to make the blower work properly with your vehicle. If you are willing to spend $5000 on a blower kit, but wont spend the extra $1000 on tuning then maybe this isnt for you. You are aware that one of the risks of not tuning is a blown up engine. Maybe if you dont want to go the extra mile to tune the car for the supercharger, then you would consider selling your car in exchange for an 03 cobra which is factory designed for a supercharger. But what Im trying to say is the last thing you want is to spend $5000 for a blower, detonate the engine, then have to have the engine replaced when you could have just spent $6000 to begin with and be gauranteed of having no problems. If I was you, and this $1000 was such a big issue, then Id say to get the Saleen for $3900 and use the $1000 savings on tuning. But you do what you gotta do. Its your gamble.

**MrMorden** · 11-21-03, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RydeOn

Calstang, the kenne bell is pretty much the perfect blower. It looks like you have done your research very well.

But let me say just this. I know you dont want to spend all your hard earned money and then have to spend more on tuning. But tuning is part of the equation.

Amen bother!

The tune makes the car. My car makes more rwhp/rwtq than most 10psi non-intercooled Novi cars, and has zero detonation. Why? Because Steeda's tune rocks. Find out who has the best KB tune out there, and spend whatever it takes...you don't want to leave rwhp on the table, and more importantly, you don't want to leave little bits of motor on the road.

DON'T step over dollars to pick up pennies.

BTW, the KB is awesome. If I had to do it over, I'd go KB or Cobra Killer's upcoming turbo kit.

CalStang02 · **KB on order -** 11-25-03, 06:55 PM

Just put the KB on order today. Ordered the 8psi intercooled system. I live in 91 octane California. Lots of thanks to Red Dragon and BlueGT (PAT) for your insight. I will post an update once it is installed.

First issue is they don't have my computor cache code, so I have to send them my PCM. Really didn't want to have to down my car for three days in the middle of the week, but thats the price for speed....

Bill

**kirkyg** · 11-26-03, 03:05 PM

Good luck on your purchase...im sure you will reap the benefits of your research. KB is awesome.

kirkyg

CalStang02 · 05:38 PM

Took my ECU/PCM to KB today for them to download my codes. They are really nice and have great customer service. Looks like my kit may be delivered by this friday 05 December. I hope it is. I have my buddy on standby to help with the install. Can't wait to see the product.

Also asked about 20 questions on the install and they where very helpful in answering all of my questions. I am really confident this install will go well.

I will send an update when completed also I am planning to dyno on the 17th of Jan. So I will post numbers then.

CalStang02 · 04:15 PM

I almost cancelled my order today I was so disappointed. I still have not received my KB blower yet. Was supposed to be last friday. The system is being held up due to the front mounting plate. The company that is suppose to anodize it has not delivered. Now they say next week at the earliest. I am trying to stay calm about all this. Hard to do. I have had my buddy on standby for two weekends now to do the install. Now he won't be available until 2nd week in Jan 04.

I may just pay someone to do the install (another $1000.00 on this system). I really don't want to wait another month.

I will keep posting. It's a lot of money to spend and then still have to wait a month for the product.

Bill

02GEETEE · 12-10-03, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalStang02

I almost cancelled my order today I was so disappointed. I still have not received my KB blower yet. Was supposed to be last friday. The system is being held up due to the front mounting plate. The company that is suppose to anodize it has not delivered. Now they say next week at the earliest. I am trying to stay calm about all this. Hard to do. I have had my buddy on standby for two weekends now to do the install. Now he won't be available until 2nd week in Jan 04. Thanks KB...

I may just pay someone to do the install (another $1000.00 on this system). I really don't want to wait another month. But then again maybe the blower won't delivered next week either.

I will keep posting. It's a lot of money to spend and then still have to wait a month for the product.

Bill

I had ordered mine over a month ago, and they finally called and it shipped out yesterday( I hope) Same back order issues ,I just wished they would have called and let me know it was going to be so late.( I had taken off xtra days over Thanksgivng for the install)

I just hope its worth it....

**Fast Eddie 2k1** · 12-11-03, 07:00 AM

Can you say Turbo?

silversnake03 · 12-11-03, 10:03 PM

I don't get it? Is the Saleen SC really that bad?

**RydeOn** · 12-11-03, 10:11 PM

The Saleen isnt bad at all. Look, the Saleen Extreme has 445 FWHP and runs 11's with the only mod being slicks. The potential for more boost is there too. I dont know why its talked down on so much.

CalStang02 · 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RydeOn

The Saleen isnt bad at all. Look, the Saleen Extreme has 445 FWHP and runs 11's with the only mod being slicks. The potential for more boost is there too. I dont know why its talked down on so much.

First I don't think anyone is dogging the Saleen blower. Its a quality piece of equiupment. Yes the extreme does make 445 FWHP which is about 380 RWHP, but this is what a KB makes at 8 PSI. The Saleen Extreme uses the Serie V blower which is around $6,500.00 not installed. And don't forget the Saleen runs high 11's not just because of the $6,500.00 blower it has but also because of the $5,000.00 worth of suspenion upgrades. The extreme cost around $60,000.00. I can't even image what My GT would do if I poured another 30 large into it. But then again if I had the 60 large to start with I would just have bought a used viper and been done with it.

The blower in question is the Serie IV which makes about 315 RWHP and cost around $4,400.00 not installed. My KB is $4,900.00 not installed and will make closed to 400 RWHP at 9 psi. Also the KB can be raised to a higher PSI by a simple pully change that cost $40 and 10 mintues of time (I would only do it for track use). The Serie IV requires oil changes every 5000 miles the KB is every 12,000 miles.

So I went with the KB. Yes the Saleen name would look cool under the hood. But I like the design of the KB and the performance to dollar ratio. I also am not trying to be the biggest dog on the street. I just want my stang to kick some ass when I need it to and the rest of the time I want to be drivable. So I am not trying to get every pony out of it just before it explodes. I think 380 to 400 RWHP is pretty bad ass considering right now I have maybe 230-240 RWHP.

Bill