Big & Small Block Supercharger Kits

Superchargers (such as a Chevy 350 small block supercharger kit) are large air pumps, compressing air into the engine. More oxygen, when combined with additional fuel into the same space as a non-supercharged engine produces a much bigger explosion, resulting in a huge bump in power. The horsepower increase can vary depending on the application, but in most V8 vehicles, gains of 150-200+ horsepower are common. This makes driving the vehicle on the street more fun and enjoyable. It also will help improve times at the racetrack.

For your street vehicle, adding a supercharger will, in addition to increasing power, improve looks both under and above the hood. Centrifugal supercharger kits are designed to fit under the stock hood with a low profile to provide a more stealth-like appearance from the outside and a beautiful addition in the engine bay when the hood is raised. Roots-type superchargers, except for some low-profile designs, require a hole in the hood to be cut due to the tall stature. This allows the supercharger, carburetor, and scoop to be seen in front of the windshield, making a statement wherever you go.

A supercharger kit (such as a small block Mopar supercharger kit) is a collection of components that include a supercharger, Gilmer or serpentine belt, pulleys, brackets, plumbing, hardware, and other parts that are matched together and designed to provide everything you need to complete the upgrade to your engine.

Depending on the application, a supercharger kit price can vary greatly. In general, an entry-level supercharger kit can start under $3,000 (for carbureted applications) and reach over $10,000 for late model fuel-injected applications. Small block supercharger kits and big block supercharger kits are specifically designed for Ford, Chevy (for example, 383 stroker/350 supercharger kit), and Mopar V-8 carbureted engines from the 1960s through 1980s. Fuel injection supercharger kits fit late model applications such as for 5.7 hemi engines in Chrysler/Dodge vehicles, for Chevy Silverado trucks (such as for ls3 and for 5.3 engines), and more.

Depending on the application, the steps to install a fuel injected or big / small block supercharger kit will change. The two main supercharger systems are roots-style and centrifugal. Roots-style superchargers attach directly to the engine with the carburetor or throttle body on top. Centrifugal superchargers are set up similar to an air pump and attach to the front of the engine with the other belt-driven accessories. There are similarities between all supercharger kits, however. Superchargers are belt-driven, requiring a crankshaft add-on pulley as well as bracketry to be bolted onto the engine to hold the supercharger in the correct position. In some cases, other components (such as a power steering pump) will need to be relocated in order to make room, but a kit will typically include everything to complete the swap. For centrifugal kits, a custom air intake and filter is added to the inlet side of the supercharger to prevent damaging debris from entering. On the outlet side of the supercharger, ducting is required to direct the pressurized air into the engine's throttle body with high-pressure clamps or connections. For roots-style blowers, the supercharger manifold is bolted directly to the engine cylinder heads. The supercharger is then bolted on top, followed by the carburetor or throttle body, and capped with an air cleaner. In both supercharger setups, changes are often required to the ignition and fuel system either due to space limitations or to meet the needs of the supercharger upgrade. These can include larger fuel injectors, larger fuel pump, ignition timing retard controls, a different computer tune (for fuel injected applications), and more. Once installation is complete and everything is double-checked for proper installation, a test-drive can be performed.