Hey guys. Got my LS3 all set up and drivable. Only mods to the engine are a custom cam, little bit of head work, and I'm using 1 3/4" headers with full 3" exhaust.
Now I wanna supercharge it this winter. Only thing is, I don't know which kit to use, where to get it, or what I'm gonna need to make it work as it should.
Also using the GMPP LS376/525 controller kit with there tune. I know a guy with the HPTuners software, so hopefully I can just get an email tune, than put it in with his software and be close. Can't really dyno tune it like I want unless I haul the car probably into the states, nothing close to me that I know of.

So what's everyone recommend for a supercharger, where to get it, what other supporting mods do I need, etc?

I have a Walbro 225 fuel pump, Aeromotive 0-100 psi fuel pressure regulator, and -6 lines currently. So I hope the fuel system will work.
I have a T56 trans (stock) with an LS7 clutch and flywheel with a tick performance master cylinder. So I hope if I don't abuse it, it'll hold up.
Diff is definitely my weak point. I have a 3" aluminum driveshaft from an LS1 car, as well as a diff from a 2002 trans am ws6 (3:42 gearing, gonna go 4:11's over winter) with a TA Performance diff cover/girdle. I know this rear end/driveshaft is my weakest point, which once they blow, I will be upgrading.

Thanks in advance. Need info so I can make it faster over winter.

 

I should also mention that I want a top mount supercharger that takes place of the factory intake. And that I have a belt accessory drive from a 2010+ camaro with vvt I believe as its spaced out a little further than Vette or f-body accessories. It's also a low mount alternator kit.

 

How much power are you looking for? Instant torque or higher peak numbers?

Basically anything more than a low boost maggy kit will require an upgrade to your whole car. The cammed LS3 is already pushing your luck with all the stock parts

 

Bingo, pocket is spot on. Single walbro is good to 500-550 whp on a good setup. Ls3 cammed should be mid 400's. few lbs boost is gonna require dual intanks

To be honest i would not attempt anything else without finding a tuner that can get you running immediately. Boost is not something you want to play with without a tune

Unless you copy a ctsv or zl1 factory blower setup and are able to flash their tune in, as best you can. That may work

 

When you say the walbro pump alone isn't enough, do you guys run another high pressure fuel pump under the car? I will upgrade all the lines to bigger if needed as well.
I wanna get upwards of 600+ rwhp. More is never a bad thing either.
I wanna get that power, than ill buy a strange S60 diff and chromoly driveshaft so I shouldn't have to worry about them. I don't abuse the car, and I don't hard launch it, especially considering I haven't welded in my sub frame connectors yet. I've also been tossin around the idea of caging the car (nothing major) for extra strength being its a t-top car.
How would the T56 and the clutch hold up without too much abuse? I'm not apposed to spending the big bucks and doing everything properly once I have the engine the way I want it.
Right now I know my tires are my weakest point. Someday I would like some nice sticky tires, but not until these ones are shot.
Also not apposed to hauling the car all over to get it properly tuned so I don't have to worry about it. Gives me an excuse to buy a nice enclosed car hauler.

Pretty much I want my car to be able to run around 10's-low 11's in the 1/4 with good tires and driving (gonna need some practice). But it's still a "street" car, it's just an expensive toy I have.

 

I'd pick up and LSA blower for it. Seen a few now go up for sale for reasonable prices.

 

Can do an add on pump or dual intank walbros or possibly a big 340-400 lph unit modded to fit. A 340 should go in but the new 400 is bigger and will likely require mods

T56 and clutch will hold it as long as you arent abusing it too hard like power shiftin and road racing stuff. My buddy held 600-700 whp for a short while in a pickup truck with ls7 clutch.

Factory take off lsa blower is best bet and bang for buck

 

I would consider a different clutch if you really want to put down 600+whp. The LS7 clutch may last for a little while but if it were me I would go with better clutch. Maybe a twin disc setup if money is not an option or a nice Monster or similar. I am very happy with my Textralia, but I am sure I would have been just as happy with a Monster and saved a few bucks.

 

Only reason I got the ls7 clutch/flywheel is cuz I got it for $200 from the same place I got my T56. 1000 miles on the clutch when I got it. Maybe 1300 miles on it all together now.
Would the LSA blower provide the power that I am looking to get too?
Does the LSA blower have that supercharger whine as well?
Does it come complete with injectors, throttle body, etc?

What other kits can I look at as well that could be what I am looking for?
I hear about maggy kits, but what company is the maggy?
Edelbrock kits?
Ken Belle kits?
Not too sure what else is out there for top mount kits.
Money is not so much a concern as I am so far into this car already that I'm not stopping until its what I want already.

 

Magnuson is maggy. Else look at whipple

Lsa blower should get there with a cam

 

On the fuel pump front, is the Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump not an option here? I am planning for a future boost upgrade as well and thought a single in tank walbro should suffice with this addition. Has anyone tried this setup?

You may want to consider the S60 upgrade prior to the supercharger. As mentioned by others, the LS3 is going to make good power already, sufficient to blow that 10 bolt apart, especially if it has 4:11s in it. Would hate to see that rear come apart and put all those investments and the complete plan in the ditch.

 

Definitely in need of some upgrades unless its a show car? If you want to run it hard that diff is on mega borrowed time as well as the shaft. five7 busted ( two iirc? ) with a bone stock LS1.... Anyways dual in tank pumps is a good option, I like the big whipple 2.9L but I have no idea about clearance or the like. One of our board members makes a bracket for centri head units if you want to go that route.

VERY true. A dyno is not nec but a wide band and a capable tuner is essential or your just building a ticking time bomb $$$$.

Sounds like a fun upgrade though.

 

Boost a pump could work but what i would do is make sure you have sufficient feed line size and do not run at 4 bar fuel pressure. You need a boost referenced fuel pressure reg to compensate for intake pressure so when you run say 10 psi boost, fuel pressure jumps 10 psi to keep total pressure differential the same.

Problem is higher pressure means less flow rate output in the pump. Voltage helps bring it up but only so much you can do on a single pump. Lsx fuel pressure is typically 58 psi or 4 bar. If you run injectors at 3 bar or 39-43 psi like tpi or ford, you increase capacity of fuel pump. Could be worth a good bit of power, esp when pushing limits like you are.

Line size keeps mass flow up without excess pressure. Less pressure drop so again pump gains flow capacity.

Again it will not take much boost to make an ls3 work towards 550's whp. I'd be very leary about pushing a walbro 255 to that level and beyond even with boost a pump kit. I rather see a 340 lph upgrade because duals is way overkill unless you crank it up over 700+, which a big whipple will do.

 

My LS7 clutch was smoked after 200 miles at 580rwhp. You need to upgrade

Avoid the 340 pump. They seem to be a gamble, some perform as advertised, others like mine fall short of even a 255. My 340 kit came with the wrong type of fuel hose too. Makes you wonder what clowns work there. I'd keep it simple with a dual 255 setup

Keep in mind roots blowers require a hood change, centri SCs fit the stock hood

FWIW, you don't want a cage on a street car. Stick to SFCs

So to recap, you're keeping the engine and trans. Axle, DS, clutch, exhaust, fuel system, chassis needs to be upgraded. It's doing the swap all over again, just more expensive

 

I know it's gonna be an expensive process all over again. Yea the Ls3 is a quick engine with this car, but I always want faster. I'd prefer a supercharger. But I might do a shot of spray yet instead. We'll see.

Yea the car is more so a show car and garage trophy more than anything. But somedays it's nice to shut mustang owners up.

I have a 2" cowl hood already, I can mod the inner structure as needed so clearance isn't an issue.

Outta curiosity, why wouldn't I want a cage on a street car? I'm not talking a full out cage, I don't want door ones or anything, just the back section and maybe a removable cross bar. Something to add rigidity, but still a functional car.

My biggest concern usually is, how are the LS3 internals gonna hold up? I have ARP head bolts and main studs. Double roller timing chain and sprockets, upgraded valve springs and pushrods as well. I think the heads are ported a little If I remember right.
How much boost can be pushed through these engines?
What's the most hp these engines can handle before they become a time bomb?
Last thing I want is to throw a rod through the aluminum block.

 

Pistons will be the first concern but the rods and crank seem to be fine to 800whp. Stock rods seem to bend at that point. crank should be good to 1000.

I've seen a bunch of ls3's at 500-600whp tho on stock pistons living just fine. Tune is most important aspect.

 

So basically I'm gonna need rear end, driveshaft, fuel system, and clutch to be able to handle it. As well as get my sub frame connectors in and some bigger front brakes to slow this thing down.
What can I use off my 4th gen 10 bolt when I upgrade to an S60 or something?
Also gonna be upgrading to coil overs instead of sport lines to get the height down in the front end finally.

LSA charger looks like a decent option, and I seem them for sale on jegs I believe.
I would like something that's not working hard to make the power I want right now 600-700 hp roughly. Than in the next few years I wanna get an iron block and build it into more less a monster.

Can I run a secondary online pump under the car outta the tank inline with my walbro pump to be sufficient enough? I will upgrade the size of the lines if needed from -6an braided lines as well. My fuel pressure regulator has the boost option as well.

What car would I get a supercharger for being I have front accessories that are spaced out a little (not sure on exact measurement right now) but I believe they are from a 5th gen Camaro with VVT. They have the low mount alternator on the drivers side with the power steering pump above it. No AC as well.
Would I get a charger for the 5th gen Camaro than, or from an LS3 vette, or...?

Also, what about SLP supercharger's? I don't know much about them.

Sorry for all the questions guys. First Ls engine, and first boosted gas engine I'm gonna be dealing with. I wanna build it into more so a monster street car than I can put slicks on and do good at the track as well. I know diff/driveshaft is my first upgrade.
It is mostly a garage trophy, show car, and I may take it out every few weeks or when the weather is nice. It is definitely not a pure race car and definitely not a daily driver at all.

 

For the rear end upgrade, the S60 is the cheapest route by far if you are going with a limited slip. You can reuse your complete LS1 rear brake setup, including e-brake. You will have to send in the backing plates to Strange when you request the rear built and they will install them at no charge before the axles are bolted in. Check out my "S60 Upgrade and install" in the Drivetrain section for full details.

If budget is tight after the rear and everything else you need; based on the minimal use you are indicating, you may be happy with a 150 shot of N2O until the supercharger budget is in place. It is a very nice amount of boost that really transforms the vehicle for some short blasts when you are out cruising. Building everything around the future supercharger and then adding boost has been my plan and the shot of N2O has been keeping me happy for now. Finding N2O and filling the bottles is a pain though...

 

Because you'll break your skull on it during an accident on the street. It can kill you if you're not wearing a helmet.

 

Door bars do not play well with rib cages in side impacts either

 

May depend on your seats but with my corbeau forzas and seat harness belts, i do not move around. Theres no way i will hit bars in an accident imo.