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Just because your engine has a small block doesn't mean it can produce big power. While you can add headers, improve the exhaust system, and upgrade your intake manifold, bolt-ons will only get you so far. This is where forced induction comes into play. Forced induction systems, like superchargers and turbos, force more air through the engine to help you maximize power.
While turbos can be a great choice, superchargers are belt-driven systems that can help you add significant numbers to your total horsepower and torque output. Read on to learn everything you need to know about supercharging your Chevy 350 small block engine.
How To Supercharge Your 5.7 350
Supercharging your 5.7-liter 350 small block might initially seem as simple as bolting on the parts. If you want the engine to last longer than a few seconds, you need to supercharge it correctly. This involves choosing the right supercharger, prepping your engine, and ensuring your cooling system can handle the extra heat.
First, we'll start with prepping your engine. If you plan on forcing more power through the engine, you need the right supporting parts. The most crucial factor to consider is heat. When you supercharge an engine, a lot of heat is created, so it's a good idea to have an intercooler to keep the engine's temperature down if you plan on going above 5-7 PSI. If the engine runs too hot, you can fry your piston rings, blow a head gasket, and damage your internal engine components. You'll also want to ensure the fuel pump delivers sufficient flow and that you're tuning the engine properly – it's also a good idea to use premium or plus fuel, but you can alter this with the tune. Also, you may want to upgrade the exhaust and intake to improve airflow further, squeezing just a few more horsepower out.
Once you have your engine prepped, you can begin the shopping process. For the best results, look for superchargers that give you around 5-7 PSI. Anything higher can be too much for a Chevy 350 small block.
How Much Horsepower Can A Small Block 350 Handle?
Stock Chevy 350 small blocks aren't known for producing crazy high horsepower or torque numbers. While this may be the case, that doesn't mean they can't be tweaked a bit, and adding a forced air induction system is a great way to boost your 350 Chevy small block. Regarding the maximum horsepower a Chevy 350 can handle, you can push it to about 450.
Once you exceed this number, you may have to upgrade the pistons, bolts, headers, and other components. If you're heading to the drag strip and reliability isn't a concern, you can squeeze 600 horsepower out of the engine with the right supercharger. Unfortunately, the engine's reliability gets dicey in this range.
How To Put A Supercharger On A Small Block Engine
Installing a supercharger on a small block engine varies based on the engine. However, the process is straightforward; you can do it even if you're a DIYer. You'll need a few hours, the right tools, a reliable supercharger, and a well-built Chevy 350 small-block engine. Some tools you'll want to have handy include your vehicle and the supercharger's manuals, Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers, an impact driver and sockets, a torque wrench, Torx and Allen-head drivers, and pliers.
Regarding the best, the Edelbrock E-Force is one of the top options, so we'll use the steps to install this supercharger as an outline. Thankfully, the steps to install other models will be similar. Before getting started, ensure all the parts are clean and your vehicle is secure and ready to work on. Then, follow the steps below.
- Remove the air intake, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, and other components that might make installing the supercharger difficult.
- Install the mounting bracket for the supercharger on the engine block.
- Mount the supercharger unit onto the bracket and secure all of the bolts.
- Connect the supercharger to the engine's intake manifold.
- Connect the pulleys that come with the supercharger to the supercharger and the engine.
- Fit the drive belt over the pulley and ensure enough tension.
- Make any necessary modifications to your vehicle's fuel system, and make sure everything is clean.
- Reinstall any components you removed from the engine to install the supercharger.
- Connect the battery and start the engine to prepare for testing.
- Properly maintain the supercharger and often check for leaks or strange noises to avoid failure.
These steps will help install most superchargers on a Chevy small block engine. While they were taken from the Edelbrock manual, you can apply them to Vortech and other superchargers that fit. Just check the manuals for those vehicles as well.
Small Block Chevy 350 Supercharger Specs
Every supercharger will have unique specs based on the manufacturer. However, the Chevy 350 small block engine has specific specifications that manufacturers must adhere to for success. Learn more about some common small-block Chevy 350 supercharger specs.
- Belt and pulley ratio that can support 5-6 PSI at around 5,500 RPMs, but some superchargers can produce 8-9 PSI – upgrade your internal components before you run this much boost.
- Aluminum and nickel-plated steel are the best materials for one of these superchargers.
- Depending on the PSI and other engine upgrades, expect to gain between 150 and 350 horsepower.
- A supercharger weighs about 75 pounds.
- Most classic superchargers work with original GM parts, including the belts; aftermarket serpentine belts may not differ from most supercharger options.
- Most superchargers for a 350 small block should be used with a long-style water pump.
These are some basic specs you can consider when shopping for a small-block Chevy supercharger.
Best Superchargers For Chevy 350
Plenty of superchargers are available for a Chevy 350 small-block engine. While you can slap any supercharger you find on the engine, if it has the right specs, that doesn't mean you should. For this reason, we've gathered our top two picks for Chevy small block 350 superchargers.
1. Edelbrock E-Force 122 Supercharger Kit
https://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/1551/10002/-1
The Edelbrock E-Force 122 Supercharger Kit is one of the best options. It's a semi-universal supercharger that can fit most 5.7-liter small-block Chevy V8 engines. Plus, it has everything you need to complete the installation, including drive pulleys, drive belts, and other components to install the supercharger on a stock Chevy 350 small block. What's more, it weighs about 75 pounds, so not a lot of added weight, and its slender design makes it easy to squeeze under stock hoods on classic Chevy muscle cars and trucks.
One factor to consider when using this kit is that it's only compatible with the stock belt and pulley configuration; some aftermarket serpentine belts won't be compatible, and you may need a long-style water pump. When it comes to power, the Edelbrock E-Force 122 Supercharger Kit can help an engine produce up to 500 horsepower if you crank the PSI up to the max.
2. Vortech 4GP218-050L V-3 Si-Trim Entry-Level GM Supercharger Kit
https://www.jegs.com/i/Vortech/933/4GP218-050L/10002/-1
The Vortech 4GP218-050L V-3 Si-Trim Entry-Level GM Supercharger Kit is another good choice if you need a supercharger for your small block Chevy. This supercharger is good for 5-6 PSI and can add over 100 horsepower, even at modest boost levels. It's also a well-made supercharger built to last with its aluminum base ⅜” nickel-plated steel mounting plate. In addition, it has a low height profile of 3.2 inches and permits 360-degree rotation; this makes it a universal fit for most classic Chevy small block 350 engines. You won't have to worry about making room in the engine bay to help it fit under the hood.
Some similar Vortech supercharger options offer higher boost ratings. For example, the Vortech V-1 Tri-Trim GM Supercharger Kit provides similar functionality but with 8-10 PSI at 5,500 RPMs. At JEGS, we carry them all in stock, and we have trusted experts to help you get your ducks in a row.
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