Supercharging a SOHC

[V8BoatBuilder]

I've been pondering a manual transmission swap into a V8 X for some time now.. but it seems like I'd have to either spend $$$$$$$ and lots of custom fab to get it to work with 4x4... 2wd is a bolt in practically. But - I need the 4x4. I'm not giving up, but considering other options.

I know there is a supercharger made for the SOHC. I know Alec has it.. To him and all others:

1) What is the power like? How would a supercharged SOHC 5spd 4x4 preform in comparison to a Stock V8?

2) Can the 5spd trans/t-case in the 95-99 SOHC's handle the power of the charger?

-Aaron

 

[Jason_25]

Alec does not have an SOHC, he has an OHV. I recommend you stay far, far away from doing serious performance mods on an SOHC.

It would be easier, more cost effective, and you would get better results going the V8 way.

As for your questions, I will answer them anyway.
1.It would kick a V8's ass
2.No it wouldn't hold up for very long

 

[Doug904]

The SOHC responds very well to an Eaton supercharger. The only major things are the lower intakes must be custom made and the fuel system has to be properly upgraded to handle the added fuel demand. So far I've only delt with the M90 and the in the future the M112(lightning size) on the SOHC, Explorer Express will be using the much smaller M62 to keep boost levels low enough so that the everyday Explorer owner don't blow the bottom end out. So far on both installations with the auto and manual 5-speed trannys they have held up rather well, to tell you the truth better then I expected. Here's a picture of one on a 01' SOHC Edge. Later Doug904.

 

[MeatyCrab]

Doug,

You got any other info on the SOHC charger?

A write up or a home page?

cheers,
BK

 

[liquidx9]

the problem with supercharging the sohc is that your adding boost to an engine with a VERY high compression ratio.... its not a matter of if your innards will go, but when (probably a lot sooner than 20K). ive seen what happens when you put too much boost into a high compression engine... and its not pretty

 

[SaleenEXP]

Originally posted by liquidx9
the problem with supercharging the sohc is that your adding boost to an engine with a VERY high compression ratio.... its not a matter of if your innards will go, but when (probably a lot sooner than 20K). ive seen what happens when you put too much boost into a high compression engine... and its not pretty

the guys that have supercharged the sohc lowered the compression - otherwise they would have gone KABOOM , but I still would not chance supercharging it - look at all the problems people still have with it in stock form.

 

[Doug904]

The compression ratio on a stock SOHC is 9.7:1. it will hold up just fine to low boost levels around 5-6 lbs. On hte prototypes we have done we we're using the stock engine and making an intake to bolt the supercharger on to. Also, if you use a water injection or alchol injection you could still get away with 9.7:1 compression. Now on the more performance orented SOHC's we did drop the compression ratio down to around 8:1 but thats not too hard if you've ever built a SOHC 4.0. With the Explorer Express unit you will get great power with minimal installation problems.

One thing thats realy been kinda bugging me on here is that everyone claims the OHV bottom end is stronger then the SOHC. Funny, the OHV and the SOHC share every bit of bottom end components. The crankshaft, rods and even the bore diameters are the same. The SOHC actually has a main stud girdle built into the oil pan for strenght that I will be trying to use on my next OHV build up. So please don't mistake the SOHC for being weak down low. The main differences lie in the heads,block, and timing components. With every SOHC I've built I havn't had any problems with the timing chains nor marbling noises. Of course I use the new style aluminum chain cassettes so???

Thanks,

Doug904.

 

[Xplodor]

So what's the consensus, SC a SOHC or not? How long will the SOHC engine last? Does it tend to create problems at around 100K? I'm close to 50K and I just want to be prepaired an budgeted for the future. I think I'll hold out on the SC until I rebuild, that way it can be done right.

 

[Robert]

Everyone's issues with the SOHC stems from the noisy camshaft chain tensioners, plastic chain guides, leaking lower intake manifold o-rings and sticking throttlebody. Once the updated parts have been installed the issues are non-existant. I have all of the updated parts with the exception of the chain guides and have 97.5K of trouble free miles on my '97 SOHC. I have never seen an internal engine related problem posted about a SOHC. The people posting about all of the problems either don't own one and are basing their opinion on what everyone else is saying or they are SOHC owners that are frustrated with the way Ford is treating them for the known problems.

I have owned both and I would take my SOHC over my OHV any day. I had a '94 2WD Ranger with a 4.0L, 5-speed manual and 3.55 limited slip with a cat-back, K&N drop in, and SuperChip that still couldn't keep up with my stock 4x4 '97 Explorer SOHC.

In about another year I will be giving serious consideration to adding a supercharger to my SOHC provided it continues to run as it does now. By then, I'll be using my Wife's Sable as my daily driver and won't be as concerned about blowing up my engine as others would have me believe. Maybe I'll be the first SOHC owner here to post that I blew up my motor

 

[Alec]

Actually, I wouldn't be that worried about blowing the motor, I'd be worried about blowing the tranny. Even with all the updates and upgraded hardparts, it looks like my tranny can't hold up to the power of my motor. A supercharged SOHC would likely have even more power than mine.

It's still in the tranny shop (been there for 2.5 weeks). If they can't fix it, in goes a C4 most likely!

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

It's always the transmissions, it seems.. Thanks for all the good advice.. on supercharging the SOHC, but if the tranny isn't going to hold up, I'm back to where I was with the V8 manual tranny swap. I'm leaning towrds building a 2wd truck. It seems like it'll be my best bet - to build a FAST truck, supercharge the 5.0, install a tremec 3550TKO. I'll either get a limited slip for the rear, or an ARB. But that's for a new thread...

-Aaron

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by Alec
Actually, I wouldn't be that worried about blowing the motor, I'd be worried about blowing the tranny. Even with all the updates and upgraded hardparts, it looks like my tranny can't hold up to the power of my motor. A supercharged SOHC would likely have even more power than mine.

It's still in the tranny shop (been there for 2.5 weeks). If they can't fix it, in goes a C4 most likely!

I must have missed that your tranny went out again. Is the same place that worked on it last honoring your warranty like they said they would?

I can see where my tranny might be the weakest link if I choose to supercharge my SOHC.

 

[Alec]

Yes, it started crapping out again. Forward was fixed by all new valve bodies and such. Reverse problems are as-of-now a mystery.

It is Cottman Transmissions and even though it sucks that I don't have my truck they are excellent.

 

[liquidx9]

glad to hear they're honoring their warranty, keep us posted alec!

 

[Alec]

aight.

i should know something tomorrow, i hope!