Interest is Paxton Superchargers for cobras ?

[FUNFER2]

I'm just feeling out, of how many owners would be interested in a kit for just for our cobras ? I DO NOT have any details yet.

For now anyway,..... the brackets, pulley system etc., would be for an FE, and possibly small block Fords later. If we can generate enough positive yes's, I'll report this to the company and see what can be done. No,....promice's.

Sorry we don't have any more information as of now. As you know, Shelby built two cobras with the twin Paxton Superchargers, but I'm sure this will be a single application.

[TN Shelby Cobra]

Neat idea but I had bad luck with paxton. Had one on my 89 Saleen SSC and the bearings went bad at 5,000 miles. Had a Vortech on my 95 S-351 R-Code Saleen and no problem. The Vortech uses the oil from the crankcase and the paxton has it own oil. I have a friend that has a vortech on his cobra. Very fast car. Maybe they have improved their bearings. Mark

[FUNFER2]

We spoke about both company's, and I believe it can be either at this point. The decision will be made shortly, if this does go forward.

Vortech bought Paxton, so their in the same house.

[vector1]

vortech is local, had them looking at my car for fitment at a dyno session one time. i figured by the time all was said and done figure 4-5g. little rich at the time for a sbf.

[Dangerous Doug]

Replicating the Paxton superchargers? That would be cool. If so, I am tentatively interested. Depends on the cost and how close they get to original look.

DD

[gsharapa]

I had one or the orginal Paxtons that was rebuild with a bigger disc to blow more air for the 351W I setup in one of my Superformance Cobras. The car was awesome...bought all the stuff from Paradise Wheels in Cal, plus some home made mods. Think he is out of business now as that was back in 2001...

[zrayr]

Originally Posted by gsharapa

"........bought all the stuff from Paradise Wheels in Cal, plus some home made mods. Think he is out of business now as that was back in 2001........"

Paradise Wheels not out of business. Just no web page.

Z.

[RodKnock]

Craig Conley is still in business and services and sells "ball drive series" Paxton superchargers.

Paradise Wheels Inc.
920 Rancheros Dr., Suite E
San Marcos, CA 92069

Phone: (760) 740-0954
Fax: (760) 740-0956

[zrayr]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I'm just feeling out, of how many owners would be interested in a kit for just for our cobras ? I DO NOT have any details yet. ....."

what service or product are you offering that Paradise Wheels or Cobra Automotive doesn't already provide ? They both specialize in vintage Paxton ball drive kits, but will set up a kit for use with a modern Paxton if desired.

Z.

[JAM1775]

I have the Paxton Novi1200 on my SPF 392 stroker. I bought the car from a friend of mine a few months ago. The Paxton has been on the car for at least 5-6 years. He caught a deal on a polished Vortech carb box but essentially the principles are the same. The carb is not a blow through but a standard Holley 750HP as the box maintains = pressure both inside and outside the carb. The Paxton makes 9lbs boost at max rpm . Both fuel psi and boost is controlled thru a "Magna Fuel" Regulator. I am not sure which fuel pump is on the car but of course it is also a blower pump.
I am still learning about this system on my car. The blower is mounted on the passenger side. My first mod was to insulate the intake tube to the carb which routes directly above the headers. The Paxton provides for the cone air filter to be mounted directly on the blower. My set up uses a 4" tube to route the huge cone shaped K&N air filter where it sits directly behind the passenger side louver.
If you need pics parts reference let me know if I can be of any assistance . Just please know am also still learning about this set up. I can tell you it idles fine at 750rpm...there's a bit of 2000rpm stumble which I think is carb transition adjustment. The motor made around 385rwhp before the blower . It made 511rw with 6-8lb pulley and 545 with the 8-10lb pulley.
jam

[D-CEL]

I’ve know many of the Paxton and Vortech guys for years so I have a little history with them. The Ball Drive Paxton’s were notoriously unreliable, inefficient and generally short lived. The old Paxton guys (Mr. Joe and Vince Granatelli) used to refer to the “spring-pack” SN60s as the best of that breed, tension on the balls (used for step up) kept them from slipping in the races, lasted longer, made more boost.
I think all the bracketry for the small blocks is on the shelf. BB not so much, but its not a huge deal. I don’t know about the availability of the “Cobra” hat (carb box)

The gear driven blowers are just so much better. I have an old V1 with a T trim impeller and scroll that has 50k miles on it. Still quiet, still makes 10 lbs. Not gonna see a ball drive ever do that, nature of the beast.

Jason

[rodneym]

Paradise is alive and well. In fact, they're pretty damned busy!

[gsharapa]

Craig was really great to work with. We started with the stock blower all redone and it just wasn't enough air for the 351W I had. He then rebuilt it with a bigger disc and other parts and if I remember it was pushing around 12 lbs of boost. I had an areomotive fuel pump with their regulator that works off of boost from the blower box. I also ran a 750 holley with really big jets (lot of expermenting) and a MSD box with a timing retard again working off the boost. I did a big right up in the SCOF (superformance) newletter back then. Ran the car at Hallet road course in Tulsa and it really worked well.....

[zrayr]

Originally Posted by gsharapa

Craig was really great to work with.....

A really fantastic guy to converse with. He can take the minimum amount of troubleshooting information and come up with a set of likely scenarios that is eerily accurate.

Originally Posted by gsharapa

"......... I did a big right up in the SCOF (superformance) newletter back then. ...........

would love to see a copy of that.

Z.

[zrayr]

Originally Posted by D-CEL

"...........The Ball Drive Paxton’s were notoriously unreliable, inefficient and generally short lived. ...................... "The gear driven blowers are just so much better. I have an old V1 with a T trim impeller and scroll that has 50k miles on it. Still quiet, still makes 10 lbs. Not gonna see a ball drive ever do that, nature of the beast.

Jason

Although my ball drive SN-60 will never make over 6.5 lbs, it has lasted over 43,000 miles of mostly demanding driving and is still going strong. One reason for longevity is that we have better lubricants than back in the day: B & M Trick shift is truly impressive. Perhaps equally important is using a fluid cooler and frequent fluid changes.

Z.

[JAM1775]

Jason...where would the air intake /air cleaner be on that set up...behind the drivers side pump ?

[FUNFER2]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

I'm just feeling out, of how many owners would be interested in a kit for just for our cobras ? I DO NOT have any details yet.

For now anyway,..... the brackets, pulley system etc., would be for an FE, and possibly small block Fords later. If we can generate enough positive yes's, I'll report this to the company and see what can be done. No,....promice's.

Sorry we don't have any more information as of now. As you know, Shelby built two cobras with the twin Paxton Superchargers, but I'm sure this will be a single application.

Even though the information here is very interesting and informative, let's please get back to the purpose of my thread.

Thank you.

[gsharapa]

Kevin,

I thought they were discussing your topic of who would be interested in a Paxton and it's nice to hear Paradise Wheels is still in business and offers the orginal designs which I would think most Cobra guys would want if they were going to install one, including brackets, belts etc. So not sure what you were looking for...a commitment from people for someone to create something new? Is this going to be original appearing or something else. Guess more details would be nice to have before you express interest, The one thing to consider with a Paxton on a Cobra vs Mustang is the room and slant of the hood vs means if you are going to use the bonnett/carb you need some hose that drops down like I made on mine as the blower has to be mounted down lower. If you have someone that wants to design something a turn key install kit probably would be of interest assuming price is competitive....

[FUNFER2]

It's not a big deal, I just wanted to ask how many others would be interested in a system so I can report the numbers to the manufacture. I have no problem with people asking questions about the types available and how they work and the fitments in cobras, that's a good thing.

At this point, I'm not wanting absolute yes's, just say, very interested, that way I can talk further to the company that we do have cobra owners that would like a system made. Their concern is coming out with one, and not selling enough to recoup the time & money. With any company, you just can't sell a few.

The number one priority now, is for us to do some research, before development.

If we can generate enough interest and they move ahead in C.A.D design, then I ask everyone on what we want and need for our cobras, as far as height, mounts, gear or belt drive, accessories, apx psi/boost, expected HP/TQ, (of course, dependent on engine parameters) ect......

First question and most important- Would you be very interested ?

Second question-

Ford FE/Side oiler ? (our main purpose engine)
Ford Small Block. (possible,..351 cu.) ?

Total Cost Of System ? (let's be real guys)

$6,000
$5,000
$4,000
$3,250
--------
Then we can discuss details and answer a lot more questions.
My primary wants & needs, is to develop a supercharger similar to what Ford & Shelby had in the two cars that were built with the Paxton's. Nothing too radical, producing around 600-750 HP, with mild boost. Through the years, I've had many tell me to use turbo's, but I'll never have one, or two, in my cobra. That would be more for a modern & hot rodded cobra, which is fine, but not for me. That also means several more products, work & heat build up versus a centrifugal supercharger.
And best of all, more true to a cobra.

[Dumpling]

what you want has been done, repeatedly.

the designs are out there already, especially if you want to 'recreate' the original design.

what I'd be more interested in is some kind of intake, something along the lines of a DCOE crossram or center-front opening plenum style (obviously fuel injected) that might possibly fit under a stock hood, or at least under a hood without needing the horrendous-looking domed hood blister that Shelby needed.

that project would add something new to the world of FE's and Cobras: a modern injection, low-profile blower manifold.