More HP. 3.8L engine conversion vs supercharger kit

charge · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 04:17 AM

Greetings fellow croc drivers:

I'm in the market for more horses.

One option is upgrade via a 3.8L conversion. Another is to install a supercharger kit. Numbers wise, the end result in HP and torque gain is similar for both approaches but I am more curious in learning about what difference, if any, the driver will actually feel behind the wheel.

Would appreciate any views on the pros and cons of each approach.

Cheers and safe driving during the holiday season.

**K-Man S** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 06:05 AM

I thought the supercharger was around 400-410hp while the 3.8L is either 355 in standard form or 381 in X51 form? I've driven the X51, haven't driven the SC yet!

CP · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 06:10 AM

Ken,

Is the super-charger the one Neil (Orton) puts out?

Thanks.

CP

**K-Man S** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 06:15 AM

I think so at least that was the one I was referring to since it is the only one on the market that I am aware of at the moment.

objectuser · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 01:26 PM

Don't SC tend to affect the reliability of the car? Of course, I guess the jury is still out on the 3.8L conversion, but it's a normal motor that should have no problems.

Do you plan to track the car? If so, I think (others please confirm) that the 3.8L would make more sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by charge

Greetings fellow croc drivers:

I'm in the market for more horses.

One option is upgrade via a 3.8L conversion. Another is to install a supercharger kit. Numbers wise, the end result in HP and torque gain is similar for both approaches but I am more curious in learning about what difference, if any, the driver will actually feel behind the wheel.

Would appreciate any views on the pros and cons of each approach.

Cheers and safe driving during the holiday season.

neil@orton · #6 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 02:12 PM

If you are going to track the car a lot I would recomend the 3.8.I have done a 3.8 conversion for a fellow board member who tracks his car alot and has had Zero issues.

Neil

tach miami · #7 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 02:39 PM

Neil,

Wasn’t your estimate of the 3.8 with the Rotrex around 550hp? Maybe "charge" might be your first customer with the combination in a Cayman.

Tom

neil@orton · #8 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 03:06 PM

Tach miami this is correct......I might have one of these monsters under way soon.

Apollo · #9 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 03:11 PM

For longevity I would pick 3.8 over Supercharger. Unless some sort of supercharger was from factory and later was upgraded, I keep on hearing about boys killing their engines. Mostly because of lean conditions that pop up out of nowhere. 3.8 should be rock solid.

bpoteat · #10 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 03:48 PM

A couple of quick questions Neil, and they might be pretty dumb, so please bear with me. Do you keep the original engine? I would assume so, but you never know. Also, what prevents this swap in a non-S?

**beez** · #11 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 04:14 PM

Another factor to think about is that the 3.8L (X-51 or not), since it's a Porsche crate motor, can be serviced by any Porsche dealer.

brad

mooty · #12 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 04:29 PM

very reliable source told me that SC will overheat for sure if you track A LOT.

get 3.8L.

tach miami · #13 (**permalink**) 12-13-2006, 08:31 PM

Neil told me a 2.7 would work if going for the engine swap. He also said to get the optional 6-spd as well, which was when I checked a little over $2600. When adding up the numbers, a Cayman 3.8SC under $85-90k would be a hell of a car. From the website, his setup includes extra cooling, a stronger clutch, and more. If the brakes aren't up to snuff, a new kit should be around $2-3k.

The car should be able to handle the hp too. The 997tt has 480 hp and isn't the Cayman supposed to have the better platform?