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Boost On The 3.3
Yes it is possible. It may not be smart, or economically correct, but it is possible- if you want to go all out.
A supercharger or turbocharger can be stuck on the 3.3 (though you're on your own in terms of how and where to hook it up....). Before you can put your car on the boost or nitros, some work needs to be done to the car its self.
First, the fuel system must be able to handle things. Rember, the stock fuel system is designed so that it runs the car rich at WOT. It is best to keep this the same, even after modifications. So what should you do? Get larger injectors for the fuel rails, get a raising fuel pressure regulator, and have everything set up so that you can still run alright during non-boost or non-wot conditions, but so that you will NOT run lean at WOT or what-ever boost your going for.
Second, the engine must be built to take the abuse. The stock engine may be good for 4-9 PSI without modification. Once you start getting up there however, you may need to make some changes- specifically to the rods, which on the 3.3 is known to bend and break when under "moderate boost", and the crank, which goes to hell and back under high boost. Thankfully, Chrysler used the 3.3 as a model for a couple other engines, including the 3.5L V6 of the LH cars (which was then used as a model for the 3.5 in the Prowler, etc.). That said, it is actually possible to locate forged parts for the 3.5- specifically rods and crank, and have them machined to operate in the 3.3! My rule for engine building is the more forged parts you get for going in it, the safer you will be. Now this doesn't mean that after a rebuild with some forged parts, you shall be able to run 9000 psi! Stay within reason, you must remeber that this is a 6 cylinder engine, you're not looking at throwing 20, 30psi at it. Enough said.
The 3.3 has gone to at least 15 psi @ WOT without engine damage. By comparision, the turbo 4 bangers get to 30 psi @ WOT w/out much engine damage (assuming the air temp is low enough, and enough fuel is present). So perhaps 15-18 psi is what was ment by moderate boost in the tale circulating around the 'net saying that chrysler had problems with the 3.3 under boost (?).
Now some other things would truely help in putting boost on the N/A 3.3. First, a good intercooler system is needed to make sure the air temp is low. This ensures that you will stay away from knock, and also allow you to stay on pump gas (which is cheaper then racing fuels). Second, a water/alchol injection system is helpful in farther cooling by being injected in the intake air (after the intercooler), or by spraying water on the intercoolers and radiator. What better yet is that if you get a thermostat and switch for controling cooling fans, you can use one of those with your water injection/intercooler spriers to ensure that things cool down when they heat up (and therefore you spend less time watching temp gauges!).
The key is keeping away from lean conditions and engine knock. If that can be done well enough, higher boost levels are possible- so long the engine car take it.
The best way of setting up the 3.3 for boost is to slowly increase the boost while watching the car. As the boost slowly increases, the car: 1) Should not go lean- as indecated by an A/F and/or EGT Gauge, 2) Should not knock. Pretty much you play around until things are set up right, while being sure not to overdo it and cause damage.
This is not rocket science, and it has been done before, food for
thought:
-There is a turbocharged 3.3 Dynasty thats been to 15psi w/ only trans
problems
-There is a turbocharged 3.3 intrepid out there
-There is a turbocharged 3.3 minivan
-APC's 3.8 "vipervan" concept car from 2002 used a supercharger
All without any documented problems.