496 Procharger install
 

I'm wondering exactly how much additional clearance is required both on top and at the front of the engine for a Procharger install on a 496 HO. I've seen threads where guys are cutting into seat backs and hatches and presume that the new dimensions will be more than stock. Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

496 Pro charger mounts low left side engine.about 4-6 inches front.Top not affected.On a twin 353 Formula we had to cut ,out board/port stringer for clearance.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

Make sure there is enough room to pull that motor out when she blows.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

We have 4-496 Pro Chargers on the water 2 seasons on 2 .No problems with the motors ,drives could be a different story.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

ttt

Thanks Doug for the info. Lee: what's your beef with the 3.5 Procharger install on a 496HO? I see in other posts you are recommending the use of blowers, especially Vortech. Are you aware of any problems with the Procharger set-up? Thanks for your help.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

I'm one of the guys Doug was talking about beat the snot out of my 496 HO with the 3.5 lb kit ...no complaints picked up 13mph doing it and kept it at 5150rpm...Doug and I talk allot this is a good set up for the savings over the blue engines I a'm building a pair of bullet proof 496 blocks gonna order Raylar heads and blower pistons...figure I'll have about 16k in the next 2 motors I have a engine builder in West Virginia I grew up with gonna push 700 hp out of them.Outside of everyone bad rapping the pistons in-experienced mechanics running them to lean to hot...(Whipple doesn't mind putting their stuff on them)

We run them very rich I love the set up....

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

It wouldn't surprise me if they were trying to run cheep gas in them and causing it to detonate and taking the pistons out.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

It is not the centrifical charger that is the issue. It is the way Pro-charger builds there kits. I have put a handful of chargers on the 496 ho and at 3.0 psi they are holding together. I do not believe in FMU units for boats, that is a cheap and easy way for someone who does not know better to install a Supercharger Kit. Yes I am sure some of you guys will come back with I have been using this system with an FMU for 3 seasons and no problems, and that is great. I personally prefer remapping for the charger along with a fuel pump change and so on. Also understanding the hyperuetectic piston and how unstable they can be will also influence you somewhat.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

ttt

Thanks for the replies - does anyone have any more details on the the space requirements for the install on the 496? Procharger sent me a schematic, but it doesn't show sufficient detail and doesn't compare to stock like their 350 mag diagrams does - says "8 rib crank pulley extends 3" beyond front of stock crank pulley" - obviously I need at least 3 inches in most areas on the front of the motor, but its unclear how far that 3 inch clearance extends the further away from the crank you are - my concern ( amongst many others) is whether the hatch will close over the intercooler.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

It's not any higher than stock

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

Im running the whipple 7# of boost 354 hrs 5-7 poker runs a year compression 160 165 real pleased

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

The front of the intercooler should be your only problem. I didn't know of this clearance and had to cut my front back side of hatch 1 inch deep and 8" by 8" for clearance.Your crank clearance is this-3" beyond front of stock crank pully. Dave

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

To let you know, I get calls, emails everyday for customers begging to help them with their Procharged 496's since we are the only ones that can recalibrate the factory PCM. Their are over 30 different calibrations from the original release. Each have a different base calibrations, some minor changes, some huge drastic changes. The fact that a mfg. outthere can still sale a performance enhancing system for the 496 with no computer mods, a FMU and a MAP bleed system is beyond me.

I'm not saying it's a fact that they won't live, but my opinion is that the "won'ts" will have a higher % than the "wills", especially if your in a larger boat that can maintain longer sustained medium to WOT throttle periods (minutes, not hours). Everything PC does for that engine works against what the PCM is trying to protect. Let it see over 100kpa for 30 seconds above 2000rpm, it will set a code and go to a default map setting which will not match the boosted manifold pressure and will run severly lean at certain rpm ranges. Run the map bypass system so the PCM doesn't see the proper MAP reading puts the PCM at a completely different load table. Since the calibration is load based, rpm vs. map = load %, you throw off many of the PCM's settings. This includes knock, spark, fueling, coil power, etc. The 555 PCM is very intelligent but it's constantly figuring the piston position for proper knock protection per cylinder and is contanstly filtering "noise" at all different load points. Moving this around can make it more sensitive in some areas and not in others. With this type of application, some boaters, some boats, some engines will be ok and some won't. It will stronly be dictated by driving styles, boat design and load levels, octane levels, envoirnment, etc. This is not even touching the fact of the problems that are created from running the type of fuel PSI's that some have to run to achieve the proper a/f ratio. High PSI mixed with wide open injectors are just asking for problems. Larger injectors with different internals have different characteristics and therefore there voltage bias, on/off time and calculated fuel flow levels are all off. Then you have an extended tip platinum spark plug with a large gap plug with a "vortec" style head, just another problem and higher possibility of detonation or pre-ignition.

Just thought you should be aware of what your getting into.

Thanks,
Dustin

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

Dustin: so all that means the front clearance is 2 or 3 inches on the Procharger install?

Just kidding. That's alot of great information for me to think about and I appreciate you taking the time. Makes alot more sense than someone just saying "ya, but Whipple reprograms the ECU". Do you have any schematics of your install showing the area covered by the 2.75 inches on the front of the motor? Maybe I'll just call your shop tommorrow and see if they can fax. me something.

Crop Farmer: Thanks for the reply. Always gotta measure 5 times before buying.

Re: 496 Procharger install
 

bouncedcheque,

Schematics, what is that :)

Wish I did, but you need basically 3" in forward clearance from the crank pulley, straghit up to the top of the flame arrestor. 6" in both directions from centerline.

Thanks,
Dustin