quick question on supercharger & traction

[showerfan]

i've read through all the threads (or at least many of them) about the debate over SC or not, and i get that you all generally respect built N/A engines over superchargers. but i'm wondering if the truck can hold the ground with much more power anyway?

i have been planning to order a new raptor with the roush package just because it seems so baller to have that much power, and the naked 6.2l is weaker than a GM-equivalent truck in HP terms anyway. but i've been driving a stock raptor this week (which i ******* love) and i can hardly touch the peddle without spinning the wheels.

i don't know if that's because the rear end is lighter or it's cold out or wet or what, but i find myself wondering how in the hell it would drive on the street -- let alone off-road, and let's leave that out for this little discussion -- with a supercharger?! i feel like i'd be burning out all the time, non?

 

[Cleave]

It only took 4 years for gm to catch up in the horsepower department to an engine which hasn't even had it's potential tapped at all, guess what, Ford's gonna be upgrading for the next generation soon, then gm will be lagging behind... again... like always

But back to you're question, I think most of the supercharged guys seem to use 4x4 a lot to hold traction

 

[MTF]

First, factory rear springs suck for traction!!! "Upgrade"
I also air down to 38 psi, seems to give the BFG tires a little more grip
Then it's just a small learning curve,
I rarely need to put mine 4x4 to keep others behind me. Unless I want to show off.

I'm also getting old so lighting up the tires all the time is out for me. LOL

In the rain I just leave TC on, Whipple's Tune works nice in the rain, if I push to hard the Tune doesn't bogg you down like a stock Raptor would.

 

[showerfan]

today i left it in 4x4 high the whole day and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

i have to say, i'm coming from a tahoe, so i do feel the hundred horses extra. but i do think i could still use a little bit more -- not a lot, just a bit. so i'm leaning toward upgrading the springs and just building the engine a little bit. i could use the extra cash to contribute towards a mustang project.

on the other hand, the roush package does sound tasty and comes with the new pipes...

 

[MTF]

It's not really a good idea to leave 4x4 on dry pavement, the tires need to slip a little, your putting stress on the drive train.

Rear Springs should be your next mod before upgrading that's for sure!!!

In the mean time, it's going to take a little time to teach that lead foot, to quickly ease down on the go pedal without spinning.


My wife's Tahoe was a 2006 with the 5.3L (323ci.), that thing was a pig I hated her truck, that would be a different feeling stepping into a Raptor.

I upgraded my 97 2dr Tahoe with the 5.7L (350ci.) with HyperTech Tuner, and the power of the stock Raptor really did not impress me, my 97 2dr. Tahoe was quicker!
But not now anymore. LOL

 

[SVT_4X4]

Traction control is amazing in my estimation. The average person would not be able to drive a 600 hp truck, or let alone a 400 hp truck around on wet or slippery roads without it.

 

[showerfan]

It's not really a good idea to leave 4x4 on dry pavement, the tires need to slip a little, your putting stress on the drive train.
But not now anymore. LOL

i don't doubt you know what you're talking about, but i hope the drivetrain on the raptor is strong enough to deal with 4x4 acceleration on dry pavement!

 

[Cleave]

Any temporary 4x4 power train will be highly stressed when using 4x4 on dry pavement, Chevy's have problems with snapping the axles in half under heavy acceleration

 

[MTF]

I've done plenty of straight line 4x4, rear diff locked and unlocked launches
with the Whipple over the past three years on dry pavement and all the way up to 100+mph,
so far no problems. (knock on wood)


It's cornering that will kill your differentials and transfer case mostly.


Actually, I have a suggestion for you SC guys if you lock the rear diff give it a good little set before going WOT.
There were a couple of times I needed to reverse the truck to unlock the diff, even though the light said disengaged.
Now I have a 2010 1/2 and the diffs are different, it might not do that with the newer years, just guessing here.

 

[Glo]

.....


It's cornering that will kill your differentials and transfer case mostly.


Actually, I have a suggestion for you SC guys if you lock the rear diff give it a good little set before going WOT.
There were a couple of times I needed to reverse the truck to unlock the diff, even though the light said disengaged.
Now I have a 2010 1/2 and the diffs are different, it might not do that with the newer years, just guessing here.

I have experienced the same thing with my lockers on my 2014 when I was having a bit of fun... Light went off but lockers were still engaged for a bit.

Might be harder to disengage on pavement? On my previous off roader with 3 lockers - it always helped to take a few corners/turns to engage and disengage. Maybe the same thing with the Raptor.