Regarding the Pantera drivetrain, Lloyd Butfoy has confidence to warrant his ZF rebuilds for one year at 550 bhp, 500 ft/lbs. I think the spicer half shafts & billet axles will survive even more than that. That kind of power requires a clutch upgrade as well.
The cooling system of the Pantera, even an upgraded one, has problems dealing with more than 500 "continuous" bhp due to the limited size of the radiator. I used the word continuous, because a short blast here and there won't tax the cooling system. For continuous use, you need to cool the motor oil as well, and the zf should also receive an oil cooler & circulation system.
Gary, I could build a 600 bhp engine to be reliable, whether that engine was large displacement and naturally aspirated OR smaller displacement and blown or turbo charged. I think the issue of reliability reflects the knoweledge, skill and budget of the engine builder.
I'll stick my neck out and write this: for Pantera applications, a blower makes more sense to me than a turbo because it will introduce less heat into the engine compartment; because its more compact and fits the engine compartment easier; and because I associate the Pantera's performance with low rpm, snap your neck, off the line burst type power, which blowers are so good at. That type of power will intimidate more "stop light" opponents and win more "stop light" races. Not that I advocate such behavior, mind you!
I do not mean to imply that anyone who has installed a turbo charger on their Pantera has made an "inferior" choice, OK?
There is one problem in choosing a super charger, where to fit the blower drive belt. The blower installs I have seen have driven the blower at the rear of the engine, either via a jack shaft, or by driving it off the flywheel. But it should be possible to do it in front of the engine if a person were willing to modify the front engine cover, i.e. the bubble that protrudes between the seats.
your long neck friend on the PIBB, George