Build a N/A engine or supercharge it????

[Hemogoblin]

Wow, has it been a long time since posting on here. I've mostly been reading posts, but now that I've sold my other hobby (building 4x4's), I can focus on my Trans Am again :-) Only problem is, I'm now living in Australia and can't wait to get back and start building the TA.... so for now, I'm just interested in peoples ideas about what I "should" do so please, any and all input

I have a 93 Trans Am, 6 speed with the "performance" geared tranny, 3.23 stock gears, SLP 1 3/4" headers with SLP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back with no plate, and Random Tech hi-flow cat. Also have the throttle body coolant bypassed, and I think that's it. The car has 160,000 kilometers, about 100K miles (?) and runs like a champ. No problems ever with it and only Mobil 1 synthetic oil running through it. Ok, so here was what I was thinking about doing:

(1) Bolting on a supercharger (any brand is possible; not concerned with costs right now)

(2) Converting the engine to an LT4

Along with the top two choices, I will be adding 3.73's (which with the tranny ratios I'm running now will be equal to, or actually better than, running 4.10's in a stock 6 speed), a larger TB, larger injectors, and computer chip mods.

I am mechanically inclined so the work involved with either of these two options are not a factor, and neither are emissions issues or cost of the parts. I am just concerned with performance, reliability, etc. Just your opinions and thoughts I guess What would YOU do in my position?

Thanks guys!

Cheers,
Steve

[Dave Vince]

Mods

The supercharger is the easier way to get more power. You can install one in a weekend, where as rebuilding and modifying took me took me 2 months. I would use an intercooler though, this will help with detonation, and give more power. You would not need to change rear end gears, as the torque the motor will produce will blow your tires away badly as it is. Gears will only make the problem worse. There is a Turbo that mounts under the rear of the car, I beleive it installs where the muffler presently is. This is a good way to go if you do not want to not have a totally jammed engine compartment, and be too.

[Hemogoblin]

Thanks Dave Ya, the thought of being able to finish the work in a weekend does appeal to me but the idea a N/A engine also sounds nice. I'm obviously undecided so I'll see what everyone else thinks. I saw that turbo that mounts under the car and it doesn't look like what I would want. Not to mention, the air intake is situated RIGHT behind the left rear tire? Wouldn't that suck in, like, a ton of water? Maybe I'm missing something but..... I do have to admit, it was a pretty cool idea on mounting a turbo.

OT, kinda, but I did have a friend with a 93 Mustang that had a supercharger, gears, exhaust and nothing else, and that thing HAULED like nobody's business. Yes it was a Ford but I have to give credit where credit is due...

Cheers,
Steve