How to Boost an LS1

LS1 engines were standard equipment in C5 Corvettes.

Before you purchase a power adder such as a supercharger for your LS1 engine, it's important to know what will be required to install the parts onto your car. The installation of a supercharger can be accomplished by a novice engine tuner, but it's generally a good idea to take your time and utilize a kit specifically designed for your specific make of car. Once you've got an idea for what will be required for the installation, purchase the vehicle-specific kit you need to boost the power to your LS1 engine as high as you like.

Things You'll Need

• LS1 supercharger kit
• 3/8-inch drive socket set

Instructions

1. Remove the supercharger kit from its packaging and carefully read the instructions included. LS1 engines varied in construction in the years they were built, and so each kit will be slightly different to install. It is absolutely critical that you follow the directions to the letter to prevent damage to the vehicle or the supercharger kit.

2. Drain the oil and coolant from the vehicle, and perform any additional pre-installation prep required by the supercharger manufacturer. The instructions included will outline the necessary steps you will have to take before installation.

3. Remove the fan belt and the throttle body from the engine, as well as any other parts required by the supercharger kit to be removed. On the LS1, the throttle body is at the front of the intake manifold and is removed using a 3/8-inch drive socket set. On some kits, the throttle body will be reused. To remove the fan belt, simply apply leverage to the belt tensioner pulley on the front of the engine and slip the belt off of the pulleys. A replacement fan belt will be included with any supercharger kit you purchase.

4. Unbolt the intake manifold from the engine with a socket wrench. The intake manifold is the hard plastic part on the very top of the LS1 engine between the cylinder heads. The supercharger unit replaces this intake. However, manufacturers such as Powerdyne utilize superchargers that mount onto the front of the engine similarly to the way turbochargers are mounted.

5. Bolt the supercharger onto the engine, following the instructions carefully to make certain that all your vehicle's fittings, such as the fuel injectors and coolant hoses, are correctly installed.

6. Install the replacement fan belt onto the supercharger pulley, and then double-check all the fittings you have removed and reinstalled. Before starting the engine, make sure to fill it with coolant and oil. Once this is completed, cycle the engine according to the kit manufacturer's recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

• No two superchargers install in quite the same way on LS1 engines. Follow the instructions carefully to realize all the power possible from the modification.

• If you are unfamiliar with installing aftermarket components on your car, you may wish to have the supercharger professionally installed. While this can be expensive, it also ensures that you won't damage your vehicle in the process.

• Supercharger kits will void your vehicle's warranty unless they are GM performance parts superchargers installed by a certified GM technician at a Chevrolet dealership.

References

• "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines"; Joseph Potak; 2009