Third Generation Innovation:

Developed for the Callaway Corvette, Callaway’s third generation “GenThree” supercharger system is a completely new, in-house design. The GenThree supercharger system delivers amazing performance. While providing more horsepower and torque, it eliminates the power-robbing heat soak phenomenon that other superchargers inherently produce.

Callaway engineers designed the GenThree supercharger housing and integrated intake manifold to reduce charge air temperature and to increase airflow quality for more power, and more consistent power. In the previous Callaway Corvette supercharger design, charge air exiting the supercharger was directed through a single liquid-air intercooler and then downward into a log-style manifold, with virtually no manifold runners leading to the cylinder head ports. While this configuration performed remarkably well, there was room for improvement.

For GenThree, Callaway engineers rotated the supercharger rotor pack assembly 180° to direct charge air up, toward the top of the housing, through a primary intercooler and then around the sides of the housing. This intercooler conducts heat from the charge air to the intercooler coolant. The coolant is circulated through a heat exchanger in front of the radiator, where the heat is radiated into the atmosphere. The cooled air exiting the intercooler then flows through the upper section of the supercharger housing. Since the housing extends through the Corvette hood and is exposed to ambient temperature, convective heat transfer removes additional heat from the charge air as it passes over the internal surface. Finally, just before reaching the cylinder heads, the inlet air passes through a set of auxiliary intercoolers – one for each bank – and still more heat is removed. The triple-element design allowed the engineers to utilize very low restriction intercoolers, minimizing charge air pressure reduction. The engineers’ theory was proven beyond any doubt. During dynamometer testing, inlet air temperature increased by less than 10°F during dyno pulls, compared to increases of at least 35°F with other supercharger systems. Eliminating the “heat soak” phenomenon inherent with supercharging, GenThree provides more consistent lap-to-lap performance at the track and run-to-run performance at the dragstrip, as well as eliminating power loss during extended towing or hauling.

Eaton’s 2300cc TVS rotor pack was selected for its high thermal efficiency, OEM-certified quality, and service-proven reliability. Since it doesn’t have to fit under a stock hood, the rotor pack’s displacement is 32% larger than the stock Z06’s 1740cc supercharger. In addition, to prevent drive belt slippage, a new 10-rib pulley system has been incorporated and the earlier design’s jackshaft has been eliminated. New carbon fiber manifold engine covers with horsepower designation further distinguish GenThree-equipped Callaways.

Low restriction intake systems further enhance inlet air capacity. To reduce power-robbing parasitic drag, an internal bypass diverts the inlet air flow path during idle, low-load cruising and deceleration, allowing the supercharger internals to spin freely. Consequently, fuel mileage is practically unchanged from stock fuel mileage. In fact, the GenThree supercharger system’s technical features are significant enough that utility and design aspects of this system are patent pending with the US Patent and Trademark Office.