The Edelbrock LS3 Swap Supercharger

“We don’t want to break it,” said Chris Johnson, senior calibration engineer at Edelbrock, as he tossed us the keys to our ’65 El Camino project car. He wasn’t referring to the engine or the car but rather the Muncie four-speed that is the wide-eyed weak link in the drivetrain between the roughly 700 hp at the flywheel of the now-supercharged Chevrolet Performance crate LS3 and the gooey Toyos bolted to the Moser 12-bolt.

Ccrp 1301 02 O Edelbrock Ls3 Swap Supercharger Y Body Fead

This is what we started with—a Chevrolet Performance LS3 with a Y-body (Corvette) FEAD. We had to remove the FAST throttle-body and replace it with a factory Chevrolet Performance drive-by-wire unit and relocate the power-steering reservoir.

This is what we started with—a Chevrolet Performance LS3 with a Y-body (Corvette) FEAD. We

That’s our excuse for not having “after” numbers to accompany this supercharger installation story. No dyno guy wants to mop up precious ’60s Muncie parts off the floor of his dyno room. So for now, you will have to trust us. Mat the throttle, and the chassis leaps away from the pavement like it’s on a forklift and this car builds speed like a locomotive that just blew its stack. Let’s take a look.

Ccrp 1301 03 O Edelbrock Ls3 Swap Supercharger Cooling Fueling System

Cooling and fuel systems need to be up to the task. We are using the Be Cool Direct Fit radiator and an Aeromotive A1000 fuel pump. The supercharger requires a minimum fuel flow of 65 gph at 60 psi. The A1000 pump is rated at 725 lb/hr at 58 psi. Doing the math (725 / 6.2 = 117 gph), you can see that the pump can keep up with the power.

Cooling and fuel systems need to be up to the task. We are using the Be Cool Direct Fit ra

Edelbrock’s new E-Force supercharger kit is based on Eaton’s new Gen VI TVS 2300 rotor. It is roots style, meaning it is a non-pressure system with an equal number of lobes on each rotor that rotate away from each other, but with a 160-degree longitudinal twist. It’s this twist that allows the TVS-style supercharger to be more efficient at low speeds. Edelbrock’s system inverts the supercharger so it moves air up from the front-facing intake, pressurizing a plenum before passing through twin intercoolers and eight individual 12-inch intake runners. The impressive design eliminates the low-end torque deficiency of a short runner, and because of the intercooler and the twist in the rotors, it greatly improves the efficiency of the supercharger at higher rpm, where heat and friction create diminishing returns.

The LS3 uses a press-on balancer that doesn’t include an anti-rotation mechanism to prevent the balancer from loosening. The Edelbrock kit comes with a drill guide to install a crank pin. Fortunately for us, the rotator from Procomp Electronics/Demon Engines had a standard keyway, and we used a keyed balancer from TCI and skipped those steps.
The LS3 uses a press-on balancer that doesn’t include an anti-rotation mechanism to preven
The supercharger, manifold, and intercooler are preassembled at Edelbrock so there is virtually no way to make a mistake. The oil system is self-contained, so there is no need to plumb into the oil pan.
The supercharger, manifold, and intercooler are preassembled at Edelbrock so there is virt
The supercharger has a slightly different bolt arrangement than the stock valley pan, so a new one is included in the kit. The bung at the back of the lifter valley is for the oil-pressure sender.
The supercharger has a slightly different bolt arrangement than the stock valley pan, so a

This is the underside of the supercharger. You can clearly see where the air is moved into the intercoolers (indicated by the water ports) and down through the intake runners.
This is the underside of the supercharger. You can clearly see where the air is moved into
The kit requires a heat exchanger (sold separately) that mounts in front of the radiator. We used a pair of brackets made by Car Craft fabricator Grant Petersen. The reservoir mounts above the passenger-side valve cover and the pump mounts near the stock battery location.
The kit requires a heat exchanger (sold separately) that mounts in front of the radiator.
Grant also mounted this bracket that hides the intercooler water pump under the battery. The bracket itself is from a Ford Racing/Whipple supercharger kit.
Grant also mounted this bracket that hides the intercooler water pump under the battery. T

Here is how the intercooler works. Water is pumped from the reservoir into the heat exchanger, and then into the intercooler and back. Edelbrock provides the pump, the hoses, the reservoir, the wiring harness with a relay, and a fuse.
Here is how the intercooler works. Water is pumped from the reservoir into the heat exchan
The supercharger manifold uses the stock O-rings that fit into machined grooves. The torque spec is only 7.5 lb-ft (90 lb-in), so you might want to invest in an lb-in torque wrench.
The supercharger manifold uses the stock O-rings that fit into machined grooves. The torqu
This is more of a swap issue you might have encountered already. The oil-pressure sender differs depending on the year of the engine. On the left is the one that came with our LS3; on the right is the one that is required for the Chevrolet Performance wiring harness. PN 12616646 cost us $100 at the dealer, but now we can monitor oil pressure using the factory bulkhead connector.
This is more of a swap issue you might have encountered already. The oil-pressure sender d

This supercharger kit is designed for cars that are already equipped with a Chevrolet Performance LS3 crate engine, Chevrolet Performance computer, and supporting fuel and cooling systems. The base crate LS3 makes 430 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. It uses the L92-style square port heads and a 204/211 duration at 0.050 camshaft to make power. It’s tough, with an aluminum, six-bolt deep-skirt block, and it revs to 6,600 rpm. The Edelbrock system promises 600 hp, a gain of about 150 hp over stock. Since our engine already made 600 hp, thanks to a stroker kit and ported Chevrolet Performance heads, we’re estimating about 700–725 hp from the kit.

The LS3 runs without a vacuum reference to the fuel-pressure regulator. The E-Force required us to use it in order to boost-reference the fuel pressure.
The LS3 runs without a vacuum reference to the fuel-pressure regulator. The E-Force requir
The supercharger comes with its own manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor. Inside, there is a chamber with a vacuum on one side and a port to atmosphere on the other, separated by a membrane. As the throttle is opened and closed, the pressure reading against absolute zero at the MAP converts engine load into a electronic signal the computer can recognize.
The supercharger comes with its own manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor. Inside, there
New Siemens 60 lb/hr pound injectors are provided with the kit, along with a new fuel rail. It is normally a dead-head system, but this one is returned at the pressure regulator on the firewall. The system will work both ways.
New Siemens 60 lb/hr pound injectors are provided with the kit, along with a new fuel rail

Although the PN4061015 Gatorback belt is not supplied, the kit comes with the new pulleys and adaptors to make them work with the factory Y-body FEAD. Non-GM drives will require some engineering.
Although the PN4061015 Gatorback belt is not supplied, the kit comes with the new pulleys
It is important not to ignore the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. Edelbrock supplies the hose and fittings to connect the port behind the throttle-body to the passenger valve cover.
It is important not to ignore the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system. Edelbrock s
Fresh air is drawn through this port from the crankcase to the port on the throttle-body.

This is the passenger-side port. It attaches to a bung between the throttle-body and the mass airflow (MAF) sensor. If one or more of these ports are left open, there will be a vacuum leak and a lean condition.
This is the passenger-side port. It attaches to a bung between the throttle-body and the m
The MAF sensor, a Chevrolet Performance part, comes with the wiring harness on the crate engine (4-inch cone filter not included).
The MAF sensor, a Chevrolet Performance part, comes with the wiring harness on the crate e
Using parts from Spectre, we connected the throttle-body and MAF and tried to position the cone filter as far away from the engine and radiator heat sources as possible.
Using parts from Spectre, we connected the throttle-body and MAF and tried to position the

The E-Force is an easy bolt-on with hand tools, a little fab work, and a weekend in the garage. The tuning is performed using a hand-held controller that plugs into the OBD-II connector on the factory harness. If your engine is modified with a cam, heads, or a stroker kit, there is a tuner version available as well.

Parts List
Description	PN	Source	Price
168-tooth flywheel	460535	McLeod	506.00
16-inch braided lines	139100-16	McLeod	69.00
4-inch flexboot	9775	Spectre	29.99
4-inch race filter	889612	Spectre	49.99
7-inch 22-degree elbow	97290	Spectre	49.99
-8 to ORB-08 fuel fitting	15118	Aeromotive	36.95
Air intake support bracket	9702	Spectre	29.99
AN -6/-8 fittings and hoses	N/A	Earls	150.00
Brake master cylinder	MCPV1	CPP	95.00
E-Force Supercharger	1540	Edelbrock	6,895.87
Electric fans	75007-M	Be Cool	292.75
Exhaust system	Discontinued	Edelbrock	N/A
Fan belt	K061031	Gates	28.66
Fan bracket	72049	Be Cool	161.95
Fuel pressure regulator	307030	FAST	122.95
Fuel pump	11101	Aeromotive	324.95
Front accessory drive kit	19155067	Chevrolet Performance	858.95
GM PS flow valve adapter	CPFCV-K	CPP	19.00
GM PS hose kit	605HK	CPP	61.99
GM SFI bellhousing	8630	McLeod	518.00
Harmonic balancer	872032	TCI	195.00
Headers	Discontinued	Edelbrock	N/A
Heat exchanger	15405/15406	Edelbrock	Call
Hydraulic throwout bearing	1300-3	McLeod	383.99
Hydramax master cylinder and firewall mount	CAGM-30002	American Powertrain	379.00
Intake bracket kit	9701	Spectre	14.99
Lower radiator hose	8631	NAPA	22.99
LS pilot bushing	8-1094-4	McLeod	46.99
LS series starter	351110	TCI	276.95
LS1 throttle cable	TC-1000LS1	Lokar	50.95
LS3 crate engine	19211709	Chevrolet Performance	7461.99
Motor mounts	Discontinued	Edelbrock	N/A
Oil filter	7060	NAPA	6.69
Oil pan swap pan	19212593	Summit	172.95
Optima battery	517974	Costco	151.44
Overflow catch can	70003	Be Cool	117.95
Upper radiator hose	23080	NAPA	15.28
Radiator	60188	Be Cool	709.95
Radiator cap	70001	Be Cool	45.95
RST Street Twin	6911-04	McLeod	900.00
Stainless steel fuel tank	N/A	Rock Valley	1,100.00
Water pump bracket	N/A	Ford Racing/Whipple	Call

Sources

Aeromotive Inc; 913/647-7300;Aeromotiveinc.com American Powertrain; 931/646-4836; AmericanPowertrain.com Autotronic Controls Corp. (MSD); 915/ 857-5200; MSDIgnition.com

Be Cool, Inc.; 800/691-2667;BeCool.com

Brewer Restoration & Performance; 770/751-0687; MuscleRods.com

Classic Performance Parts; 866-593-2423; ClassicPerform.com

Comp Cams/FAST/TCI; 800/999-0853; CompCams.com

Edelbrock; 800/416-8628; Edelbrock.com

Global West Suspension; 909/890-0759; GlobalWest.net Chevrolet Performance; Go to ChevroletPerformance.com to find a dealer

Holley Performance Products; 800/HOLLEY-1; Holley.com

Keisler Engineering, Inc.; 865/609-8187; KeislerAuto.com

Lokar Performance Products; 877-469-7440; Lokar.com

McLeod Industries; 714/ 630-2764; McleodRacing.com

Milodon Inc.; 805/577-5950; Milodon.com

Moser; 260/726-6689; MoserEngineering.com