Vortech Reveales New LSX Swap Supercharger Kit

Unless you’re new to the hot rodding/high performance auto scene, you know that GM’s LS engine is probably the most popular aftermarket powerplant for GM owners, and perhaps beyond. It doesn’t matter if the engine is going into a drift racer, pro touring car, or just a light-to-light rocket, the LS engine family is the go-to choice. Now, Vortech Engineering has delivered the uncompromising LSX-Swap Series of supercharger systems for these engines.

Installation Requirements for Vortech’s LSX-Swap Series Supercharger System

The supercharger kit from Vortech Engineering is designed so anyone with an LS engine already or anyone planning on sticking an LS engine into their hot rod. It fits GM engines with an LS1 or LS2 fuel injection-type manifold and the proper (C5 Corvette FEAD (Front Engine Accessory Drive)/GM 19257325 or GM 19202977 or the equivalent.) drive pulley system. You’ll also need a harmonic balancer similar to Summit Racing’s SUM-C2501 balancer. Lastly, pulley backspacing requires the use of ACDelco water pump 191915105 or the equivalent.

What You Get with Vortech Engineering’s LSX-Swap Series Supercharger Kit

Almost everything you need to install the LSX-Swap Series superchargers comes in the box. Image via Vortech Engineering

The kit includes Vortech Engineering’sV-3 Si supercharger with their 3.60 inch ten-rib pulley, although you can order it with different compressors and pulleys if you need to. Secure mounting of the supercharger is obtained through the use of a billet aluminum mounting bracket and a 3/8 inch nickel-plated steel plate. The kit also includes mandrel-bent discharge ductwork with a Maxflow Race Bypass Valve. Everything but the time (approximately four to six hours) and the tools (minimal) is included with the kit, including all required:

• Clamps
• High quality hardware
• Silicone couplers
• Integrated manual belt tensioner
• Ten-rib six-inch billet supercharger crank pulley with hard anodized finish

The included ten-rib serpentine belt assures high horsepower support and multiple pulley options by providing superior grip. It’s not going to rip or break free like others can. The pulley ratio of the lulley supplied with the compressor will deliver in the range of eight to ten PSI of boost @ 6000 RPM on most LS1 and LS2 engines. You can expect horsepower gains of anywhere from 30 to 75 percent. This translates into about 775 horses galloping around. By opting for Vortech’s V7-YSi compressor, builders can produce up to 1,200 horsepower.

The Vortech V3 SCi shown installed in a Z06 Vette. Via Vortech V-Cars Forum

The kit is verified to fit Chevrolet El Caminos and 1966-67 Chevelles. Engine compartment restrictions may decide whether it’ll fit in your car, but it should fit quite nicely in any car that can accept a big block engine. To illustrate this, Vortech says they know of a BMW 3-Series that’s had one of these installed. There’s no need to cut an opening in the hood either, this supercharger is extremely low profile. If you want everyone to know, you’re better off with a big blower poking through the hood. Three different finishes are available to suit your aesthetic desires. P/N 4GX218-014L has a black finish, while P/N 4GX218-010L has a satin finish, and P/N 4GX218-018L is polished.

Tuning Components Required for Proper Installation and Performance

There are a few other things you’re going to need in order to get the most out of this LSX-swap supercharger kit. First and probably foremost, you’re going to need a fuel pump that can supply a higher volume while keeping the pressure up. You’ll also need a pressure regulator that is boost-referenced. Hand in hand with extra fuel delivery requirements are higher flow larger fuel injectors. Finally, you’ll need to have some computer tuning and remapping done so the computer can properly deal with the requirements of the compressor.

Vortech’s V3 Si supercharger in a Mustang. This image illustrates how easy it is to install this supercharger in just about anything. Image via Vortech Engineering V-Car Forum.

Vortech Delivers on Promise of Taking the Guesswork Out of What to Buy

Vortech Engineering’s Brian Ellis says the LSX-Swap is perfect for anyone who’s tired of the guesswork that comes with trying to find what’s needed for unconventional installations such as hot rods, Nissan 240 (Super Scarab?), and other non-“traditional” installations, like the aforementioned BMW. According to Mr. Ellis “We wanted to give folks something that mounted the blower tight to the motor. There’s other existing kits that mount the blower farther away, so with our kit, it’s right up close and can work with a lot more cars. We even have a truck-based FEAD version in the works.”