jimxms

I intend on performing a driveway install of a supercharger for my C7 Stingray. As I live in the UK I don't have access to any Chevy specialists, or easy access to any parts so I need to bear this in mind.

I'm reasonably handy with a wrench and have installed a Supercharger on a Lexus a few years back, but I hate working on suspension, don't want to touch brake lines and don't want to be performing irreversible mods to my C7.

I've skipped over the install manuals of the popular choices....Procharger, A&A, Magnuson, ECS..etc. Most seem to require re-location of the ABS (iirc), or replacing of the crank pulley.

As far as I can tell - the easiest to install in the Procharger? Does this sound about right? Or should I be looking at other options?

TIA.

vetteandv

My a&a kit was fairly easy to install. The relocation of the brake module really is just some massaging and bending. The crank bolt is definately a tough one. Use some heat.

jimxms

Is there a way to get at the crank bolt without having to pull the steering rack apart?

If not, is the rack easy to unbolt? Or is it under tension that needs to be relieved somehow?

Rooster OG

I've been looking at a Magnuson heartbeat. The install looks pretty straightforward, plus I'm not looking for crazy power. I'm no mechanic either, from what I've read, it looks doable by the diy guy without a lift. Here's a good thread about it:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-on-a-z51.html

Marc DeSatnik

I did an A&A over the winter and it was a simple install. No heat needed for the crank bolt. I used an impact with no problem. Steering rack came off and on easily. just don't move the steering wheel while it's off.

jimxms

Thanks for the link. I'm a bit troubled by the guy saying it was a 40-50hr job though. Even taking your time, that seems like an awfully long install - especially when you're using the stock crank pulley. I wonder what consumed most of the time?!

chefcg1

A&A was easy, I would say 10 hrs. Taking your time with lots of beer breaks.

jimxms

did the a&a come with a tool for pulling the crank pulley?

Max Bet

I did what you did, I read through the installation literature I could get a hold of. Obviously I don't have first hand knowledge of anything but Procharger because that's what I installed. With the Procharger kit they supply a couple of the plastic pieces that have been cut and/or trimmed so you don't have to do that to your stock pieces. This way you can reverse the process if you choose to uninstall it. You do have to pull the balancer bolt to install the pulley, but you don't have to pull the factory balancer. You don't have to move the ABS module and you don't have to remove your steering rack from the car.

BrunoTheMellow

Procharger is definitely the easiest. I had to make the same choice 1 year ago. Reasons:
-don't have to pull crank pulley.
-don't have to pull steering rack.
-don't have to mess with coolant.
-don't have to cut anything but a couple of hoses to size. All resized plastic pieces necessary are supplied.
-comes with a fairly capable safe tune on a Diablo sport intune (only 30 hp less than a 93 octane Dyno tune)
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with that being said, others also supply tunes and only take longer due to cutting and replacing crank pulley, etc. But definitely not harder per say. Just longer.
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jimxms

Are you guys happy with your procharger choices? I will most probably be sticking with the canned tune for the foreseeable future, as there are no good tuners nearby in the UK.

I started eyeing up the A&A kit yesterday as the bracket and tensioner look like a work of art, but I just don't think I can deal with the ABS relocation. If I screw that up, it'll be a very expensive flatbed to the only Chevy dealer in the U.K.

chefcg1

No, but I barrowed one from Autozone for free.

Didn't realize you are in UK so I'm not sure about your options for a loan a tool programs. The puller is not expensive even if you had to buy one $50-$80.

chefcg1

Don't get hung up on the ABS relocation, it really really really isn't that hard or a big deal. Loosen lines and push, attach bottom bracket, push a little more, tighten lines...done! Took me under 10 minutes. Changing spark plugs is much more difficult.

yonks8365

If I were you I'd go with A&A. Their customer service is the best!

jimxms

Is changing the plugs specific to the a&a kit? I've not heard of any other kit needing that?

My other reservations about the a&a is there is no mention of a canned tune? I don't have any tuners anywhere near so I need a solid plug'n'play tune out of the box.

I suppose the big question is whether the a&a kit is worth the extra hassle.

08G8V8

When supercharging, you typically go with a spark plug with a colder heat range than if naturally aspirated, depending on how much power you are adding. Discuss with your tuner.

chefcg1

I would call a&a and discus tune options with them. I'm not a fan of canned tunes as every car and location/altitude/weather is derferent. Really the best money spent is a custom tune for your particular set up. If your going to spend 5k plus on the supercharger an extra $500 for a custom tune is not much for that piece of mind. In for a penny, in for a pound.

A&A customer service is amazing! I have called at 2am and Andy picked up and helped me out...simply amazing!

Max Bet

I am happy choosing Procharger. I will say however, that my choice was ultimately determined in the end because of the supplied tune. I think if you stay with the supplied tune, you'll be okay.


I only kept the supplied tune for a few weeks before deciding to go with headers and meth, requiring a dyno tune at that point. In hindsight, if I knew I would eventually be going with a dyno tune, I would have selected the A&A kit simply for the price and customer service. Even though I did not buy the kit, they answered my questions and even supplied the installation instructions.

0Daniel@Vengeance

Either the ECS or Procharger kits are the easiest by far for the reasons listed above. If you need any help with one of these kits to get shipped to you in the UK please feel free to reach out. We've shipped several of each system overseas for prior customers!

- David @ Vengeance

jimxms

I'd really appreciate a price for the Procharger kit shipped to mainland UK.