How To Install A Paxton Supercharger

Boost is a wonderful thing. That's why Carroll Shelby added the Paxton supercharger to the '66 GT350's option list. If you've never been in a blown Mustang, we recommend you avoid the experience unless you're prepared to install a supercharger on your own. Once you've experienced boost, you'll never want to go back to natural aspiration.

In 2002, Paxton reintroduced its supercharger system for '65-'68 Mustangs with carbureted small-blocks. Utilizing the modern, gear-driven NOVI 1200 supercharger and a carb enclosure similar to the original, Paxton's kit made supercharging accessible to the masses, not just to those who were able to piece together the rare and expensive components from Shelby's original system. This kit provides everything needed to supercharge a carbureted Ford small-block, including the mounting bracket, a boost-referenced mechanical fuel pump, a bypass valve, a crankshaft pulley, and a belt. Recently, Paxton made the NOVI 1500 available with the carburetor kit, so now there's a choice: boost, or even more boost.

Before embarking on a supercharger installation, there are some things you need to know. Boost works best with 8:1 to 9.5:1 compression ratios. If your small-block is set up for 10.5:1, consider replacing or modifying the pistons to drop it to 9.1:1, which Paxton considers ideal. If your engine is equipped with two-barrel induction, you'll need to swap to a four-barrel intake and carb. If you already have a street four-barrel with vacuum secondaries, you'll need to switch to a carb with mechanical secondaries because boost throws off the vacuum signal to the secondary diaphragm. In that case, consider upgrading to a carburetor from QuickFuel that offers more tuning possibilities than a standard Holley or Autolite. With a stock or Edelbrock Performer intake, the carburetor enclosure will fit under a factory hood; taller intakes may dictate the use of a hood with a cowl rise or scoop.

The NOVI centrifugal superchargers use engine oil for lubrication-oil needs a way to flow from the engine, through the supercharger, and back into the oil pan. Paxton provides fittings and hoses to obtain oil pressure from the oil-pressure sending-unit port in the engine block. Some cringe at the thought of punching and tapping a hole in the oil pan for installation of the oil return-line fitting, but the Paxton instructions detail how to do it in the car without the risk of metal shavings or paint chips falling in.

You may have to make some sacrifices for the pleasures of boost. Paxton offers options for installing the supercharger on either side of the engine. The passenger side requires the relocation of the battery; with a driver-side installation, you have to give up air conditioning and power steering unless you're willing to improvise.

Paxton supplies a comprehensive kit designed to bolt on to a stock '65-'68 small-block, but it can't anticipate the various modifications made to older Mustangs. Wider radiators can interfere with the crankshaft pulley, aluminum Cobra-style oil pans require removal for drilling and tapping for the oil return fitting, and carburetors may require linkage modification to fit inside the enclosure. Be aware of possible interference problems with larger, late-model-style distributor caps and some valve covers. On '65-'66s with the factory 5/16-inch fuel line, plan to upgrade to at least a 3/8-inch line. In other words, be prepared to replace components and tweak others. Don't worry-it will be worth it.