DIY Centri Install Difficulty
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 851
Likes: 390
DIY Centri Install Difficulty
For someone who is just a shade tree mechanic, if I were to have a shop replace my harmonic balancer and pin it, how difficult would it be to DIY the install of a centri setup?
I think I have the tools but honestly I'm afraid of messing something up. To give you an idea of my skill level, or lackthereof, it took me about 6 hours to replace the water pump in my driveway. It was my first time but I found it to be really tedious aligning the gaskets and getting everything back together. If I struggled with that, would a centri be too hard for me to install? I think the hardest part looks like the balancer but I'm for sure wanting that done by a pro. The other part that worries me is the fuel setup. I'd be installing an ECS kit, the Novi 1500 package.
I think I have the tools but honestly I'm afraid of messing something up. To give you an idea of my skill level, or lackthereof, it took me about 6 hours to replace the water pump in my driveway. It was my first time but I found it to be really tedious aligning the gaskets and getting everything back together. If I struggled with that, would a centri be too hard for me to install? I think the hardest part looks like the balancer but I'm for sure wanting that done by a pro. The other part that worries me is the fuel setup. I'd be installing an ECS kit, the Novi 1500 package.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Have you gone through the ECS instruction manual yet? c6superchargerkitinstructions12-28-15.pdf (eastcoastsupercharging.com)
I would read through that a few times. It's pretty good. I did my install two winters ago. There were only a few things not quite right about it. Like when clearancing the water pump there are three arrows on where to clearance, but there are actually 4 things that have to be cut off. And getting the steering rack out is much harder than the instructions seem to make it.
The only way to become a better mechanic is to play with stuff like this. Take your time, read the instructions, look up stuff on youtube. Doing the install yourself will also help you if there is a problem down the road. You will understand the way things work better. The Forum is always here to help and answer questions. I would suggest doing the balancer yourself as well. Look up the youtube videos on LS harmonic balancer and you can see if you think its too difficult. And don't worry if things take a while, you are doing it for the educational experience, not as a shop trying to get cars in and out to make money.
I would read through that a few times. It's pretty good. I did my install two winters ago. There were only a few things not quite right about it. Like when clearancing the water pump there are three arrows on where to clearance, but there are actually 4 things that have to be cut off. And getting the steering rack out is much harder than the instructions seem to make it.
The only way to become a better mechanic is to play with stuff like this. Take your time, read the instructions, look up stuff on youtube. Doing the install yourself will also help you if there is a problem down the road. You will understand the way things work better. The Forum is always here to help and answer questions. I would suggest doing the balancer yourself as well. Look up the youtube videos on LS harmonic balancer and you can see if you think its too difficult. And don't worry if things take a while, you are doing it for the educational experience, not as a shop trying to get cars in and out to make money.
Last edited by mn_vette; Dec 18, 2022 at 05:06 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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I'd say the hardest part of the install is pinning and/or replacing the balancer on these. I've had a plumber by trade install his SC kit over the weekend and then had it dyno tuned on Monday. If you want to tackle the project it is doable at home. Good luck and enjoy adding boost.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 851
Likes: 390
Thanks for the vote of confidence and resources.
For the tune, I've been asking around all year at shows and within my local Corvette club. There are two shops near me who I would trust so I'm not too concerned about that part of it at all.
I read through the installation instructions and it looks like a lot of work, but it doesn't look like anything I can't do. I'd love to say I did it myself. Still kind of on the fence but I'm feeling more confident about it.
For the tune, I've been asking around all year at shows and within my local Corvette club. There are two shops near me who I would trust so I'm not too concerned about that part of it at all.
I read through the installation instructions and it looks like a lot of work, but it doesn't look like anything I can't do. I'd love to say I did it myself. Still kind of on the fence but I'm feeling more confident about it.
