I just bought a paxton from someone in the paper for not very much, and I just wanted to know if I should bother installing it or not.

It is pretty old, the guy I bought it from says he got it off a 89 Trans Am that was wrecked about a year ago, and is selling his camaro now, so needed some money. He said it was complete (to his knowledge) but probably needed to be rebuilt.

It looks like it has all the parts except for the wires that extend the alternator wires and the air filter and metal piece to go under it. It has a lot of pulleys/bolts/hoses (vacuum/steel/rubber).

If I install this thing, and the SC is junk, can I still drive my car (by-pass the supercharger?) until I can get the unit re-built or replaced?

I don't have the instructions.. does paxton fax/send new instructions? does anyone have them scanned or are willing to photocopy them for me?

I saw in a previous post that it costs $550 to rebuild and $800 to upgrade.. do they upgrade to a SN-2000?

I am almost done putting a NOS-5151 kit on my car.. can I use that with the SC? Would it be too much for my stock LB9 305?

Is there anything that I really need to go along with the kit to make it work correctly.. like new injectors? My car is basically stock w/ a cat-back, AFPR, air-foil and ported plenum..

Thanks in advance for any replies.

89GTA5spd
Flowmaster 3" Cat-back, AFPR, K&N Cone, Ported intake, Coolant By-pass, Hotchkis STB, NOS, Eibach Springs, Autometer Guages

 

If you're not sure of its condition, I'd suggest sending it to Paxton for an evaluation. That way, you'll know for sure what kind of shape it's in.

It should be easy to revert back to your original intake system (temporarily). When I owned my Paxton, there were times that I removed it for a month or so. It takes about 15 minutes to go back and forth.

Mine was for a 1987, which is different from the serpentine setup. Even if I still had the instructions, they wouldn't help you.

That was my post. I exchanged mine for a new SN2000. From my understanding, the SN92, SN93 and SN2000 are the same. The only difference being the year of manufacture. My new SN2000 did not put out any more boost than my SN92.

Although my 305 is not stock, it was able to withstand the stress of both 6-psig boost and a 50 shot of nitrous. I know of other stock-bottomed 305's that run low 12's, so I wouldn't see it as a problem as long as it's not tired.

With approximately 6 pounds of boost, you won't need new injectors. My only concern is the timing parameters of your EPROM. If you retain the stock EPROM, you will most likely need to back off timing at WOT. Or use water injection like I did (with great success).

I should mention that if you do go with nitrous, you cannot use an FMU. If you want specifics, ask and I'll reply.

Good luck.

------------------
Willie

Supercharged 1987 305 IROC-Z, Daily-Driver, Emissions-Legal.
Paxton (6-psig): 12.57 @ 111 mph.
Paxton (6-psig) & 50-hp nitrous: 12.04 @ 114 mph.
ATI D1SC (10-psig): ?

http://willie.camaro-firebird.org/

1987 "20th Anniversary Commemorative Edition" Z28 Convertible -- Super Chevy Show Class Winner, 1998.

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited April 13, 2001).]

 

Thanks Willie.. I am going to call paxton in a little bit and see if I can get instructions. The only thing that I am worried about is the supercharger not lasting if I rebuild/replace it. I kind of want to just get the instructions and install it to see if it works.. but I am guessing that isn't a good idea. I paid $400 for this silly thing, and if I sink another $500-800 dollars I'd be well over a grand into it, I'd like it to last for more than a year.

I am running the serpentine setup, but I noticed this thing didn't come with a belt, does anyone know what length I'll need?

I might seem stupid but I don't understand what a water injection system is.. where are you injecting water?

Thanks.

 

Again, I can't help you here because my Paxton was for a v-belt system. During the time I had my Paxton (almost three years), I broke one belt. I checked around for a replacement. My setup uses three very small Kevlar v-belts. I discovered that I could not find these belts anywhere except through Paxton at $25 EACH!!! Now check this out.... Paxton's minimum order is $100!!! Do you believe this? I complained bitterly about this and Paxton finally gave in and sold me one belt.

Not a dumb question at all. Not too many people know about how water injection works. First, it's actually not entirely water. It's a mix of methanol and distilled water. When injected at WOT, this mixture greatly aids in cooling the hot compressed air that normally causes detonation, thereby eliminating detonation. This allows the engine to run at full timing advance, whereas if you decided to eliminate detonation with retarding timing, you lose power.. Also, the methanol acts as a secondary source of fuel... kind of like raising the octane. It is normally injected through a very fine nozzle in front of the throttle body.

Lastly, water injection completely eliminates carbon from the combustion chamber. I never knew how well this worked until I took my engine apart. When I pulled the heads off a 113k 305, the pistons looked as shiny as when they were new. I could not believe my eyes -- not a spec of carbon.

Today, I have a D1SC from ATI with a three-core intercooler. I still have my water injection setup. Even though the intercooler will lower intake air temps, do you think I'm planning on using the water injection? You bet!!

Willie

[This message has been edited by Willie (edited April 13, 2001).]