Would It Be Possible............

[lincolnls8]

I saw a supercharger on Ebay from an XKR that has basically the same engine(3.9-4.0) and was wondering if it would fit on the LS. That would really make a screamer out of her. Just an idea rolling around in my empty head.

[Lscman]

The supercharged Jag motor is basically the same. Problem is the Lincoln motor is designed to withstand normally aspirated power only. Like most modern Ford motors, there is not much extra durability built in for modifications. Those days ended in 1993, when they decided to use hypereutectic pistons, lightweight rods, different blocks and different cranks, depending upon the intended duty and power rating. There are a few people installing blowers, but the durability is marginal. Same problem as the Mustang GT and Vic SOHC kits. They are built to the limit & provide a decent 3/4 sec gain in the 1/4 mile but have marginal reliability under severe duty use.

[Vance]

Lincolnls8:

I agree with lscman, although not with his reasons. I agree that the reliability is seriously compromised when a blower is strapped on a N/A engine.

The reliability problems don't stem from stem from the engine being under engineered, as is inferred. Nor do they originate from some sort of penny pinching skimpiness on the part of the Ford/Jaguar management. Rather the problems stem from the fact that a properly engineered N/A motor will have features that are incompatible with a blower. Cam timing will be incorrect (too much overlap). Compression ratio will be too high, causing detonation and ultimately, piston failure. Fuel maps will be wrong in the ECM, causing the engine to run lean, etc, etc, etc. If you want to optimize the motor for a blower, then it will not perform well without the blower and vice versa.

The LS8 engine is reasonable robust, commensurate with it's emissions, mileage, and performance objectives. The fact is that all of these aftermarket blower kits are playing to a power hungry market, and are sold with little or no mention of the serious compromises inflicted upon an N/A motor when they are installed. My observation is that the mean time to fail is about 1 year after the blower gets strapped on an N/A.

If you are seriously considering that kind of expenditure in pursuit of perfomance, stick with the time proven hot rodding tricks for N/A engines; Exhaust work, a low restriction intake, and head work. I would mention the other areas of headers and camshafts, but as far as I know there are none available yet for the LS.

Borla makes a nice low restriction exhaust for the LS V8. K&N makes a low restriction air filter. These 2 changes alone should get you 15HP or so.

If you are willing to strap on a blower, consider porting your heads instead. This would be worth another 10-20HP, with no impact on mileage, reliability or emissions.
If you do it yourself, the cost is very low and can be done in a few days with hand tools and a head porting kit. If you want it done professionally you will get better results, but expect to pay $1,000-$1,500 dollars. You can get 80% of the improvement of a professional job by doing it yourself though. Check out:
http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyport.htm for do it yourself instructions.

Let us know what you do.

Cheers,

Vance

[Lscman]

Vance,

The exhaust and head porting are great ideas.
To clarify my comments, though:
No modern Ford engines are under-engineered. I definitely did not imply that. In fact, I'd venture to say most Ford motors were grossly over-engineered until recently. A stock 5.0L HO will withstand nearly double the factory horsepower under boost with normally aspirated static compression ratios and bone stock longblock and cam, due to it's over-engineered forged pistons and strong bottom end. This '80's SVO Dept influence resulted in a gross waste of money in many beancounter's eyes and decreased profit margins. This overkill was to the delight of we, the hotrodders. Few other companies over-engineered their motors in such affordable car lines to such an extent. Now, nearly every reciprocating part in the modular V8 series varies in capability and design, depending upon the model line and intended duty. A 6 bolt main Cobra 281 motor with it's forged crank will easily handle a blower but it's closely-related sister Mark VIII motor will spit parts. All new Fords are well balanced packages and are bulletproof until you try bolting big power adders on. At that point, it's cheaper to watch other's experiment and learn from their mistakes.

[lsondubz]

there is said to be a supercharger made by www.specialvehicles.com (http://www.specialvehicles.com)

[StealthyVIII]

Superchargers seriusly compromise reliability and kill the warranty, i wouldn't do it to a $40,000 car.

[StealthyVIII]

But then again some Mercedes AMG models come with superchargers, so as long as you dont run boost too high it should work.