With the introduction of the first 5.0-liter V8 in over 15 years, the Mustang welcomed a resurgence of
its true performance-car roots. The Coyote V8 was unlike any other V8 in an American performance car
with its high-revving DOHC design, and when paired with the Mustang's new body style and a 6-speed
manual gearbox, it truly stood out. Among its competitors, the Mustang was more advanced in engine
technology and could deliver the same power figures from a 5-liter engine as Chevy did from a 6.4-liter
V8 or Dodge from a 5.4-liter HEMI, all while accelerating more smoothly and offering a newer design. However, this new engine introduced an entirely new world of performance upgrades and power-adders,
turning the new Mustang into a high-powered machine with over 600 horsepower, keeping pace with the
Shelby GT500 for less money. While there are other methods to quickly increase horsepower, the most
direct and efficient is the supercharger. A supercharger, while it may cost a pretty penny up front,
speaks for itself when the resulting noise and power are put to the test on the road, propelling your
Mustang faster than ever before. With multiple superchargers available, it is important to get the one
most suited to your driving style. When selecting the right supercharger, factors like your budget, intended use of the car (whether for
daily driving, street fun, drag strip, or track days), and your own mechanical skill level all come into
play. For example, some systems are more affordable but may require more hands-on installation or
tuning, while others are ideal for maximum power or for drivers who prefer easy bolt-on solutions.
Thinking through these points will help you narrow down your options before making a purchase.
Edelbrock
Whipple
Vortech
Paxton
The Best Supercharger
Power figures depend on supporting modifications, fuel, and tuning. Confirm
current kit specs and pricing on each product page. Before comparing brands, decide which type of supercharger fits how you drive. This is the most important
decision, and it comes down to three options: Roots-type (Edelbrock E-Force): A positive-displacement blower that sits on top of the
engine and makes
full boost almost the instant you touch the throttle. Roots units deliver that classic "the car just has
more torque everywhere" feel and are the easiest to live with as a daily driver. Edelbrock's E-Force
uses an Eaton TVS rotor pack. Twin-screw (Whipple): Also positive-displacement and also mounted in the valley, but the
meshing
twin-screw rotors compress air internally, which makes them more thermally efficient than a roots design
at bigger boost. The result is an immediate low-end response and a strong, broad midrange, which is why
twin-screw kits dominate the "most power you can still daily" conversation on the S197. Centrifugal (Vortech, Paxton): A belt-driven compressor mounted at the front of the
engine that behaves
like a boost curve tied to RPM, boost climbs as the engine spins up. Centrifugals are compact, tend to
run cooler, are often the best dollar-per-horsepower play, and reward builds that live in the upper RPM
range (autocross, drag, road course). A simple way to decide: want effortless street torque? Choose positive-displacement; want top-end rush
and the most headroom for the money? Choose centrifugal. Edelbrock has been a well-known name in the muscle car world since 1938 and was a major force in the
original muscle car era. Today, they build everything from intake manifolds to high-powered
superchargers. When production of the Coyote V8 began, Edelbrock began developing the Edelbrock Mustang GT E-Force Stage 1 Supercharger Kit for the motor, bringing
power to new levels that would remain competitive long after the first-generation motor was retired.
This unit takes up less space than an average intake manifold under the hood of the Mustang and sits
nearly flush with the top of the engine. The Edelbrock E-Force supercharger brings the first-generation Coyote V8 up from 420 horsepower at the
crank to around 560 horsepower safely and reliably, making it a very easily daily drivable motor. With
performance upgrades, this supercharger can deliver a massive power increase of up to 700 horsepower
with minimal effort. The Edelbrock blower's supercharging method is also unique, as it is designed to
make the car feel like it has more power without actually being supercharged. When it comes to installation, the Edelbrock E-Force kit is designed with the DIY enthusiast in mind and
can be installed at home by someone with moderate mechanical experience. The kit generally comes with a
comprehensive instruction manual and includes a pre-loaded handheld tuner, eliminating the need for
custom tuning for most street setups. However, for high-horsepower builds or for those less comfortable
with advanced installs, professional installation and tuning are recommended to ensure optimal
performance and reliability. Edelbrock has developed their supercharger to be reliable and powerful, and
even offers a 3-year warranty to ensure it works properly after installation. One of the biggest names in the supercharger game, Whipple has proven their quality for over 30 years and
went all-out when the 2011-2014 Mustang debuted. With the Coyote motor, Whipple developed three levels
of modification to deliver horsepower across different performance ranges. This helps drivers compare
the needed performance level with what is usable in their car when driven properly. It also creates
different price points, making them more affordable. With the entry-level Whipple Mustang GT/BOSS 302 Supercharger System Stage 1 delivering up to 700
horsepower, the Coyote motor is already reaching a different level of performance than many other
superchargers can. The Whipple Mustang GT Supercharger System Stage 2 provides an additional 25
horsepower on top of the base level for an additional cost, which is a great deal for the added power.
For the money, Whipple is a great option to build huge power. Moving away from the roots-style superchargers, there are two kits that offer great performance at
good prices, which are sure to keep you enjoying your Gen 1 Coyote Mustang more than ever. The first of
these is the Vortech Mustang V-3 Si-Trim Supercharger System which is designed to deliver
maximum performance while taking up very little space in the engine bay. These are compact and run
around the front of the engine rather than being mounted on top of the block. Vortech is known to be the best bang for your buck when it comes to horsepower, and for good reason. With
proper tuning and supporting upgrades, the V-3 Si-Trim Supercharger can handle 1,200 horsepower with
custom work. The kit comes ready to bring these engines to 605 horsepower, and it can be done in around
12 hours by someone experienced in building and modifying motors, since it includes everything needed
for assembly and installation. These systems are praised for being smooth across the acceleration range,
with no dead or low spots in the power band. Like Vortech, Paxton superchargers are known for high output and good value for the money. Easily
modifiable to upwards of 1,000 horsepower with proper supporting modifications, the
Paxton
Mustang GT NOVI 2200SL Supercharger Complete System generates less heat than many other
supercharger designs and weighs half as much as other superchargers on average. Meeting all 50 states’
emission requirements, the Paxton unit meets many of the requirements tuners and racers have.
Paxton has a history of being easy to manage and use in high-performance environments. Their cooling
ability and ease of tuning are favored by many tuners and racers, especially their self-lubricating
system, which makes installation and upgrades hassle-free. As a bolt-on design, the NOVI 2200SL is about
as straightforward and simple to install as possible for any supercharger system. Paxton superchargers
are good for pushing power near the top end, making them great for people who are driving in autocross
or staying in the upper rpm range while drag racing. Regardless of your choice, these systems are guaranteed to add significant power to your 2011-2014
Mustang GT and make it drive better than ever. They offer manageable horsepower and torque that will
turn your Gen 1 Coyote V8 into a tire-roasting machine while remaining daily-drivable and, in some
cases, even improving fuel economy when driven normally. However, before choosing a kit, it is important to check whether the system is emissions-legal in your
state, as not every supercharger kit is certified for use in all 50 states. Some kits, such as those
CARB (California Air Resources Board)- compliant, can be used legally in states with stricter emissions
requirements, while others may be for off-road or race use only. Also, keep in mind that installing a
supercharger may affect your factory warranty, and some manufacturers may void your powertrain coverage
if one is installed. Always review each product's emissions and warranty information before purchase to
avoid surprises. If you solely want to build power, any of these will work when connected to supporting
mods and properly connected. We have seen firsthand how each of these superchargers performs on the road and on the race track or drag
strip, and can proudly say that these are the best supercharger options for these cars. For
higher-revving power, we have found that systems like the Paxton work best, while the Edelbrock system
offers more low-end power. While there are many options, these are some of the best supercharger systems
on the market for the first-generation Coyote V8. Reviewing your driving needs and goals in this way can help you quickly match the right supercharger to your style. Top Superchargers For The 2015-2021 Mustang S197 Mustang: Everything You Need To Know Coyote Engine History2011-2014 Mustang Supercharger Top Picks
2011-2014 Mustang GT Supercharger Comparison
Supercharger
Type
Power
Power Delivery
Best For
Edelbrock E-Force
Roots (positive displacement)
~560 hp base / 700+ built
Instant low-end torque
Street / daily drivers
Whipple Gen 6 3.0L
Twin-screw (positive displacement)
~700 hp Stage 1 / ~725 hp Stage 2
Strong everywhere, big midrange
Max streetable power
Vortech V-3 Si-Trim
Centrifugal
~605 hp base / 1,200 hp capable built
Builds with RPM, smooth
Value + high-RPM builds
Paxton NOVI 2200SL
Centrifugal
~600 hp base / 1,000 hp capable built
Top-end pull
Autocross / drag / top-end
How to Choose Your Supercharger Type
Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger
Whipple Supercharger
Vortech V-3 Si-Trim Supercharger
Paxton NOVI 2200SL Supercharger
Which Supercharger Is The Best For You?
Quick guide to choosing your 2011-2014 Mustang Supercharger
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