Tech | S197 Supercharger Install
Even though the Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger System for the 4.6 Three-Valve Mustang GT is new, it already has a good reputation. Out in the Ford performance world many of the people we talked to want one because of the great power production at very manageable boost levels. As a system, the Edelbrock E-Force blower is one of the cleanest out there, and one of the most integrated to its application. Everybody knows Edelbrock does its homework and this setup is so carefully designed and constructed that it's available with a warranty to match that of your new car as long as the system is professionally installed.
When you crack open the contents...
When you crack open the contents of the Edelbrock E-Force supercharger kit you'll find plenty of shiny, new parts. Obviously the supercharger main body is shown at the center with the engine covers at either side. At the left we find the serpentine belt, intercooler pump and wiring, air filter, and water crossover. At below center is the intercooler heat exchanger, throttle body, and pulley brackets. At the upper right is the intercooler fluid reservoir. The red programming module is also shown to the left of the intercooler heat exchanger along with the kit's injectors and spark plugs.
The Edelbrock blower is installed onto the engine in an inverted form, so that it fits down low in the engine valley allowing for a low-profile fit and long runner length. The supercharger housing is integrated into the intake manifold for an OE-like assembly onto the engine, eliminating the possibility of vacuum leaks between gasket surfaces. The system eliminates exterior brackets and apparatus hanging off the side of the engine as well. The E-Force blower utilizes a front-inlet configuration providing a short and very direct induction pathway. An 85mm electronic throttle body is included in the kit. Sitting right above the supercharger and below the runners is an air-to-water intercooler measuring 110 square inches. At the center of the system are Eaton Gen VI TVS supercharger rotors. Their four-lobe design features 160 degrees of twist, which allows for improved flow potential, minimum temperature rise, quiet operation, and optimum reliability.
The Edelbrock E-Force blower is designed to maximize airflow at every juncture and to minimize restriction into and out of the supercharger. The Edelbrock E-Force kit is a complete intercooled system designed specifically for this engine. The result is a serious horsepower upgrade using a moderate amount of boost that's actually safe to operate on a completely stock engine. Edelbrock says that the kit is also pending 50-state emissions legality, and can be had with an optional 3-year/36,000-mile warranty so that there are no worries when installing it on a brand-new car. From an appearance standpoint we'd have to agree with Edelbrock that the E-Force kit is a great-looking engine compartment upgrade. With the carefully styled plenum and matching side covers, it provides a very finished appearance.
There are two kits available, PN 1580 ($5,794), which is the street kit, and PN 1585 ($4,479), the competition kit. If this system is being installed on an '05 or '06 Mustang GT, you'll need to have the Cooling System Upgrade Kit, PN 15804, to complete the installation. The kit relocates the thermostat from the cold side of the radiator to the hot side for improved cooling and comes with all necessary hoses, clamps, and hardware. The kit cost is $121.95. Replacement of the OE spark plugs is also required if your car is an '05 to '07 model. The correct heat-range plug is already installed on '08 and later Mustangs. Limited edition Mustangs such as the Bullitt or Shelby have a larger diameter air inlet from the factory. This alters the signal provided by the mass air meter. Installation of the E-Force Supercharger on these cars will require the use of a standard Mustang GT airbox or the Edelbrock Competition Air Intake, PN 15808.
The system installation is carefully described in the excellent instruction booklet, which is more than 30 pages long and includes 200 photographs and illustrations. Since we don't have the space here to cover every aspect of the installation, we'll try to give you an overview of the task and a sense of what's involved. Even though we shadowed the guys at Livernois Motorsports for the E-Force install, the job should be more than possible for the typical enthusiast with the required tools in the garage.
Here's the blower unit out...
Here's the blower unit out on the bench at Livernois plainly showing the inlet and discharge ports for the intercooler and throttle body mounting flange. The design does indeed create long runners, which measure out at 15 inches. Low end torque and great throttle response result.
Disconnect the windshield...
Disconnect the windshield washer lines before having an assistant help you with removal of the hood. Next, the battery is removed. Here, the fasteners for the battery tray are also undone before the tray itself is taken away. After undoing the electrical connections at the air meter, remove the factory airbox and intake ducting.
Next, various engine control...
Next, various engine control components such as the charge motion control valve, throttle position sensor, and electronic throttle control are disconnected. Electrical connections to the fuel injectors and fuel pressure sensor are undone next, as well as the engine's PCV connections. After the fuel rail fasteners are removed, the rails and injectors can be taken away from the engine, as seen here. Use a rag to control any fuel spillage.