How to Build a Custom Supercharger Kit

Installing a supercharger requires more than just installing a kit. A stock engine with a supercharger will not last without doing damage to the engine and the rest of the drive train, so the engine must be beefed up. There are fundamentals to making a sound installation, and a sound installation affords a more reliable assembly and protects the investment. The most common engine used for the layperson or local racer's supercharged vehicle is a small block V8 engine.

Things You'll Need

• Standard small block Dished pistons of no more than 8.75 to 1 compression ratio made for a supercharged engine Standard crankshaft but with a double keyway on the snout of the crank Fluid damper or solid damper with a double key way installed Short snout water pump to clear the belt for the supercharger Low-profile distributor to clear the supercharger Larger 3 to 4 core radiator Electric engine cooling fans Complete set of ARP bolts and nuts for the engine build Deep sump 7-quart oil pan and oil pickup Camshaft suited for a supercharger with the emphasis on the exhaust side lift and duration Supercharger kit One or two four-barrel carburetors Suitable air cleaner Carburetor linkage for the higher carburetors Electric high volume fuel pump and regulator

Instructions

1. Rebuild the engine with the new required "beefed up" parts such as the pistons, crank, fluid damper, water pump and distributor. Use the new ARP bolts for the engine rebuild. All of these parts, including the supercharger, can be purchased at a speed shop such as Summit Racing.

2. Install the intake manifold and torque the bolts to 45 foot-pounds of torque. Install the supercharger using the aluminum bolts provided and torque them to 20 foot-pounds of torque.

3. Install the gasket and upper manifold for the carburetors. Install the carburetor base gaskets and carburetors. Install the belt tensioner for the supercharger and the belt. Tighten the belt by prying the tensioner in toward the belt just until it is barely pushing on the belt and stop. The belt must be loose since it will tighten up in the first 2 minutes of running.

4. Install the linkage on the carburetors. Install the electric fuel pump with an inline filter and run the lines to a fuel pressure regulator under the hood with a fuel pressure gauge. Install the rest of the components in the normal manner.

5. Start the car and make sure everything is working properly. If the cam manufacturer requires a break-in procedure for the cam, break in the cam now. If the carburetors are adjusted right and the supercharger is functioning properly, install the bug catcher that came with the supercharger kit.

Resources

• Summit Racing
• Jegs Racing