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RACE SUPERCHARGER SYSTEM
OWNER’S MANUAL
®
ENGINEERING, INC.
SECTION 1
ENGINE STARTUP AND FUEL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Never operate your engine at full throttle when the
engine is cold. When starting the engine each day,
always allow time for the oil to reach full operating
temperature before running above 2,500 RPM. Full
supercharger operating temperature is generally
achieved only after the engine water temperature has
been at the normal indicated operating range for two
or three minutes.
2. Always use the highest octane fuel available.
3. Always listen for audible detonation.
SECTION 2
GENERAL SUPERCHARGER SUPPORT
SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Air Filters - Always use an air filter on the supercharger
inlet to prevent the supercharger from ingesting foreign
objects.
2. Air Intake/Air Discharge - Must be in good condition
and properly secured. If equipped with a flex hose,
this must be free of damage/leaks.
3. Belt Tension - Excessive belt tension can lead to super-
charger or crankshaft bearing failure. Do not use a
non-slipping or cog-type belt on a supercharger de-
signed to be driven with a serpentine drive belt (non
heavy duty). Replacement belts for your application
are available from Vortech.
4. Crankcase Ventilation System - You must use the free
flowing, baffled system provided to prevent excessive
crankcase pressures and possible engine damage.
5. Pulleys - If the supercharger drive belt comes off dur-
ing operation, it is most likely due to misalignment of
the supercharger pulleys caused by installation pro-
blems or movement of the mounting plate. Misalign-
ment can also be caused by overtightening (and fai-
ling) of the belt, which can negatively affect the
supercharger and crankshaft bearings.
SECTION 3
NORMAL MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Clean the supercharger oil inlet fitting at every oil
change. When the vehicle is cold, remove the oil
inlet fitting at the supercharger and clean it thoroughly
utilizing high pressure air to blow the orifice clean
before reinstallation. Do not attempt to remove the
screen/filter inside of the oil feed fitting. This oil inlet
fitting is designed with a very small orifice, which
provides a mist of oil directly onto the gears. Never
use Teflon tape or other sealants on any oil feed line
fittings. Do not overtighten fittings.
2. Use manufacturer's/engine builder's engine oil and
oil filter recommendations. Do not use engine oil
additives as they may contain solid particulates such
as moly or Teflon which can clog the supercharger
feed line.
3. Spark Plug/Ignition System Guidelines - Vortech re-
commends the use of spark plugs that are at least
one to two heat ranges cooler than what is stock
utilizing a plug gap of .030" - .040". The use of
premium high performance "spiral core" ignition wires
are required for optimum performance as well as
dielectric grease on the inside of the wire boots.
Ignition amplifiers such as Crane HI-6/7 or MSD
6/7AL are also required for boost levels over 10 psi.
SECTION 4
RECOMMENDED TUNING AIDS
(AVAILABLE DIRECT FROM VORTECH)
1. Fuel Pressure Gauge
2. Boost Gauge
3. Ignition Amplifier/Boost Retard
SECTION 5
SUPERCHARGER CARE GENERAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Check and select your impeller speed per guidelines
outlined in Section 7 of this manual.
2. Select the correct compressor performance for the job.
Vortech offers compressor matching services to help
you select the proper supercharger for your application.
Contact the Vortech Sales Department for details.
3. Use the proper compressor bypass valve on all high
rpm or racing systems.
SECTION 6
CUSTOM SUPERCHARGER MOUNTING
INFORMATION
1. The supercharger must be mounted within 50° of
vertical. That is 50° to the left or right with the lowest
of the three oil return provisions selected for the
drain. This is to provide proper return oil drainback
© 2000 Vortech Engineering, Inc. All Rights Reserved. International Copyrights Secured. 25FEB00 V 2.0 DRAFT P/N: 008515
Questions?
Please contact: Vortech Engineering, Inc. • 1650 Pacific Ave., Channel Islands, CA 93033-9901
Phone: (805) 247-0226 • Fax: (805) 247-0669 • Website: vortechsuperchargers.com • Hours: M-F 8AM - 4:30PM (PST)
The following information and recommendations are designed to promote a long, trouble-free service
life for your supercharger. Each Vortech supercharger system is built to precise tolerances using the
finest materials available.