The Saleen kit was designed...
The Saleen kit was designed around an '05-'06 Mustang GT, if you have an '07-newer ride then you will have to install this thermostat housing and reroute the radiator hoses. The good news is that Saleen includes the three hoses and housing for the thermostat relocation.
Our test vehicle is an '07 Mustang GT that belongs to Editor Smitty and his wife, Diane. The Saleen Super Shaker was a perfect fit for this performance-oriented couple; Diane wanted a Shaker hood, while Evan wanted to add a supercharger to their hot rod. The blower fits the bill for both of their desires.
We ventured to JDM Engineering, one of Saleen's leading distributors, to follow the two-day install of the blower, slicing and dicing of the hood, and subsequent dyno-testing and custom-tuning by JDM proprietor Jim D'Amore. Installation was straightforward for the supercharger system--it's the cutting of the hood that we would rather leave to the professionals. The thought of cutting into a perfect hood had us cringing, but the JDM crew is well-versed in the practice and they didn't hesitate. In all, it took approximately 14 hours for the complete the installation (sans dyno time). JDM upgraded a few odds and ends with better lines and new hose clamps. Naturally, a custom JDM tune was installed in the ECU using an SCT programmer.
The results are impressive and exactly what we expected from the virtually out-of-the-box installation. Some might be looking for this combo to make ridiculous power, allowing us to go ZR1 hunting. But the truth is, we wanted to show off the system as it comes from Saleen. Cranking timing and adding a smaller blower pulley, race fuel, and a larger fuel system is a story for another day. The fuel system remains stock, without the aid of the popular twin GT500 pump combo. "Since we are installing this supercharger out of the box, the power will be limited to about 440 rwhp," comments D'Amore. The 440-rwhp output is the limit of the stock fuel pump without jumping the voltage with something like a Boost-A-Pump box. Our kit came with 39-pound fuel injectors, which are plenty for a combination like this.
We installed the kit as-is,...
We installed the kit as-is, keeping the boost to 7.5 to 8 psi with the Saleen-supplied pulleys. The boost spiked to 10 psi at the top of the rpm range, but D'Amore says this is normal due to the bone-stock exhaust system.
A water pump was mounted to...
A water pump was mounted to the bumper, which moves the water in and out of the intercooler and heat exchanger.
The heat exchanger for the...
The heat exchanger for the intercooler water is mounted on the bumper using longer bolts. It gets plenty of air from the opening in the lower valence.
The Saleen blower is tall...
The Saleen blower is tall but it still fits under the hood.
This sensor is used as an...
This sensor is used as an air-inlet temperature sensor for the computer to reference.
It helps to have two people...
It helps to have two people lower the supercharger on top of the engine.
It's recommended that you...
It's recommended that you remove the set screw for the bypass valve before you install the blower. Once the blower is in place, you screw it in. Leave the last coil-plug out--it will make it easier to install the set screw.
The blower runs off the serpentine...
The blower runs off the serpentine belt that drives the engine's accessories. JDM upgraded the Saleen supplied belt with one from Gates.
JDM prefers to reuse the factory...
JDM prefers to reuse the factory aluminum idler pulley, rather than the plastic one from Saleen. They have seen the plastic one come apart in severe racing applications, so they just use the stock one for all applications.