Chevy ZZ502 Short Block YSI Supercharger Upgrade - V Is For Power!

Here's the first look at Vortech's latest mounting system. Each kit comes with the lower mount that attaches to the driver-side cylinder head, which is topped off with a ridged, 1/2-inch-thick CNC-cut mounting plate. What's especially nice about this bracket assembly is that you're not limited to one specific blower. Should the time come to up your game, this bracket will allow you to grow into a larger range of superchargers, including the potent 1,600hp-rated V-4 series Z-trim head unit.

Vortech Engineering's Ricky Best helped put the finishing touches on our test mule. While mounting the system is pretty straightforward and easy, the bulk of the work will come from fabricating the inlet tube, the piping that connects the supercharger to the carburetor. And we have to credit Vortech's Bob Endress for welding this piece together at the eleventh hour-seriously, he eye-balled the measurements the day before and busted out the welder, nailing the correct dimensions on the first try. For the inexperienced (like us), expect to have someone fabricate the inlet tube.

If your motor is already residing in the engine bay, you can use the supplied tool to tap into the pan for the superchargers return line. For our configuration, Endress went ahead and removed the factory oil pan and welded a bung onto the side of the pan.

During deceleration, the excess...        read full caption During deceleration, the excess air generated by the supercharger needs a bypass to escape into the atmosphere. Without an exit, the added air can revert back into the supercharger, causing havoc to the blades and, worse, destroying the internals. To avoid this, we used Vortech's Maxflow bv57 bypass valve, which can flow 1,300 cfm at 10 inches of vacuum with its dual filtered vents. This bypass is specifically designed for carbureted blow-through systems and speed-density fuel-injected applications. Just be sure to order the mounting flange appropriate for the metal you're using; then it's only a matter of using the supplied V-band clamps and connecting the signal fitting into the proper vacuum source.	The bracket system with pulley...        read full caption The bracket system with pulley assembly can be had for around $600. Expect to shell out a few bucks more for the cog setup and know that the belt is going to cost significantly more over a serpentine belt. For our test, we used an 80-tooth cog for the crank and swapped between the 32- and 34-tooth cog pulley on the supercharger.	Our Holley 750-cfm HP has...        read full caption Our Holley 750-cfm HP has been modified by The Carb Shop in Ontario, California. Dubbed the Sportsman series, a duplicate can be had for $800 outright, or yours can be modified for $450. Most of its success is based on the internal circuitry; the most aesthetically noticeable component is the external pressure balance line that helps to equalize the bowls. While it helps at full-throttle, it's more for drivability; you know, the thing people say can't happen with these setups. Expect to see a detailed build in an upcoming issue.
Depending on your experience...        read full caption Depending on your experience with superchargers, some consider the YSi to be a tad on the small side, but don't let it fool you. While its compact nature may measure up physically to the smaller T-trim, which can flow up to 1,000 cfm of air, this bad boy can push 1,600 cfm and generate up to 30 pounds of boost with a maximum impeller speed rated at 65,000 rpm. That makes it one of the more efficient centrifugal head units on the market today.	To say we had a full house...        read full caption To say we had a full house from Vortech Engineering would be an understatement. From left to right is Senior Engineer Mike Reagan, Product Manager Bob Endress, and Motorsports and Media Relations Manager Ricky Best. We have to thank everyone for playing an active role in helping us through this dyno session. There wasn't a single hiccup, and we even managed to pull the ZZ502 and clean up shop at a decent hour.	We were going to keep this...        read full caption We were going to keep this to ourselves, but when the numbers are this wicked, it's kind of hard not to give you a sneak peek. We mentioned that this new bracket system would allow you to mount the robust Z-trim supercharger. Sure enough, it fits like a glove, and we made a quick test-pull to see what would happen. How's 1,180 hp at 5,800 rpm sound? That's all we'll say for now, but keep your eyes open for a follow-up segment. This combination is an absolute animal!