1st Testing of the Explorer Express Kit

[Doug904]

Hey guys, they seemed to have forgotten to post this on these forums so I'd thought I'd copy it for them. Here's some prelimanary results of the EE supercharger kit....


This was from the guys with the test truck....

I thought I would post this here, as I would like everybody's input on this, as it is almost complete, and they will shipping as soon as they finish the tune and get the CARB approval, my truck is the test mule, they drove it like 400 miles down south last weekend (to JBA). here is what they got on the Dyno, (RWHP 214 - Torq 190) remember it is a stock truck (Air filter and Exhaust) blower only. The question is, Dave V. from Explorer Express wants to know if there was a stage two, which runs at 8+ pounds of boost, would anybody be interested. It would cost about $800 to $1000 more, would include MAF, Injectors, fuel pump and what ever else is needed (that brings it up to like $4600, YIKES!!), but it makes that SOHC SCREAM ! ! and it will void the warranty unlike the 5 to 6 pound version.
I have some great pictures, but I can't seem to post them. it will smoke both tires for over 150 feet, not just the 3 feet I got before.

ME BE VERY VERY HAPPY!!!!!!

and this is from the guy who did the chip tuning.....

The 1st testing of the kit made 214rwhp on a DynoMax dyno which is about 20% lower than a DynoJet. It was also on a 4x4 which has higher drivetrain losses than a 4x2 which could be worth another 10rwhp.

We tuned the truck last weekend.

Explorer Express will put it on a DynoJet for final numbers after making some changes.

They are using a MP62 which is borderline for a 4.0L but it does fit under a stock "flat" hood.

We had to tune for California's poor excuse for premium = oxygenated 91 octane. Had to stay conservative with spark.

The stock pump was borderline for this kit. Which confirms that the stock pump must be replaced with any supercharger or N2O application.

They had a flex tube that was not representative of the final inlet tube for the kit.

The truck was bone stock right down to the stock exhaust.

We only saw about 7 pounds.

You can't make an apples to apples HP comparison of Eatons (roots) to centrifugals. The Eatons have awesome torque curves as flat as a table. Centrifugals make better HP but are more peaky as far as torque.

They are very price conscious and wanted to avoid adding any more cost to the kit...

There is another 20 HP with just MAF, injectors and pump.

There is a bunch more...maybe 40 more...with better exhaust, headers, inlet system etc...

Looks to be still in the testing process but as you can see they are making some results.

Later Doug904.

[Exp4.0SOHC]

214 RWHP?? 190 ft/lbs RWTQ?? For $3500 you got to be kidding right? and then add another 40hp for an extra Grand? Is it just me or can you dang near buy a used 5.0 Explorer for around that and a little more?? I was interested but I think I'll save my money for the new cobra.

[Jason_25]

Well, I guess they're getting there, but those numbers right now are terrible. I'm not sure if explorer express will ever get it right.

[Alec]

I have about 230 rwhp with the OHV s/c with the similar kit............

[Exp4.0SOHC]

Yeah and the SOHC starts off with more HP then the OHV does too right? Should I go back to the OHV and then supercharge it?? Looks like a better idea then this.

[Alec]

With proper tuning, headers, pump, exhaust, and TB; a supercharged SOHC should easily make about 240-250 rwhp. Remember that I've also put at least $6500-7000 into my truck for power.

[Alec]

Oh, we also need to see what they make on a DynoJet, not a DynoMax.

[Mbrooks420]

DynoJet, not a DynoMax.

Ok, so I'll sound stupid. What's the difference?

[Alec]

Just different machines and computer programs.

[Exp4.0SOHC]

Why would a company thats trying to sell a supercharger kit in mass quantities use such a inferior dyno? I know where I work we use the absolute best products for testing in order to gain the best results. I mean why dyno it at all if you have to say " Well you have to add such and such" I'm very new to the Explorer scene but is this what I can expect from Explorer Express?

[Rick]

John Vanek wrote me earlier this week about coming on the site to talk about this supercharger. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

[Black Magic]

Originally posted by Rick
John Vanek wrote me earlier this week about coming on the site to talk about this supercharger. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

When and where, I will be there. Can we have this in a chat or moderated thread?

[Rick]

Hey all the threads are moderated:p Actually I'm not sure what he has in mind.

[Magicfan25]

Really I think that blower is just too small is a big problem. An Eaton MP62 is Probably 50 cubic inches of air space or less. I know an Eaton M112 (lightning blower) is only approx 92 cubic inches of air. Simply not enough! I dont understand why when running such a small blower its not a whipple charger, which is proven far more efficient.

I dont know about you, but if I were gonna spend 4k or so (which I'm not gonna) I'd rather have to buy a diff hood to make it fit than be underpowered so itll fit under the hood.

Honestly I'll be VERY surprised if the kits sells much at all. This is honestly one of the MOST expensive kits I have come across with the lowest gains. So frustrating the buy the higher power engine at the start only for it to be horrible to mod.

[garyt]

Doug904, Thanks for posting the info. Sounds like you are pleased with the seat of the pants results and the Dynojet numbers will be interesting. Also sounds like they are still working some kinks out (hopefully to your test mule's advantage) and based on their record, I imagine they will end up with a good product. We know they go for the simple bolt on application rather than peak performance, but it needs to be some substantial gain to be worth the $$$$. It takes the kind of testing they are now doing and hopefully will take into consideration the comments like "larger blower, please" in order to be worth the money. It will be interesting to hear from Vanek when he hits the board and I hope he will have the updated Dyno numbers by then.

[SteveVB]

What do you all expect from a blower kit- that I think will be bolt on, and need little to no fabrication.
The stock SOHC puts what to the rear- 150-160rwHp, and if you add in a dyno correction mentioned of 20% you are getting almost 100 hp more- I cant really believe that. But if true this is a decent amount of power if you spend 3500 dollars. An additional 40-50 hp with "traditional" gains like exhaust (though the SOHC manifolds look like they flow well as stock), intake, mas, and injectors, a fuel pump, puts the gains at around 150 rwhp (estimates) for 4 grand or so- doesnt sound that bad to me. Ive built plenty of engines of various makes over the years and it seems like a really good amount of power for not having to open up the engine and do massive internal mods, you also get to keep your stock type idle, and drivability. How else are you going to get 100 hp out of the engine? - and how much will it cost?
- but we will have to wait for the results sans the estimates to see.

[Robert]

And if his estimates are correct with 20% more HP on the DynoJet puts rear wheel horsepower at 256.8 with stock exhaust and intake. If you ge the additional 40 HP from an exhaust and intake that puts it up to 296.8 RWHP. Also take into consideration that this was a 4WD Ranger. Compare this to the 230 RWHP that Alec has on his 2WD OHV and the difference in outputs appears to stay about the same. I would certainly be grinning "ear-to-ear" with nearly 300 RWHP. I doubt if they'll actually see that much, but anything over 250 would make me smile.

[Black Magic]

I would get one, but damn that is a lot of money. We'll just have to see.

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by Magicfan25
Really I think that blower is just too small is a big problem. An Eaton MP62 is Probably 50 cubic inches of air space or less. I know an Eaton M112 (lightning blower) is only approx 92 cubic inches of air. Simply not enough! I dont understand why when running such a small blower its not a whipple charger, which is proven far more efficient.

Kennebell was actually working on one when I contacted them for info on their Twin-Screw charger for an 03' 4.6 Mounty. But I think they gave up on it, "not a big enough market" they said. And I think the same thing will happen to the EE unit, they might sell a few at the most for that much money.

Twin-Screws are a lot better for reliability, power-output, and a lot more efficient as they barely put out any heat compared to a root's or centrifugal charger.

[expo5.0]

wow, i'm just impressed that something is actually coming of this.

If Vanek comes over to the site i want to ask him how one of our members saw his 96 (not sure on the year, but second gen) blown Explorer X at the track running in the 16s... since with a little shot and exhaust JamesT ran 15.3 and i have run low to mid 15s without any real power adder. If the kit for the sohc doesn't make more of a difference than that they will have a lot of trouble selling any for that price.