Kenne Bells kit comes...
Kenne Bells kit comes with everything your hungry engine needs. New injectors, an improved air filter, pulley tensioner system, computer box, and of course, the supercharger.
Installation is fairly straightforward....
Installation is fairly straightforward. Youll have to remove the factory air horn by unclamping it from the throttle body. Next, remove the air dam from its home in the corner of the engine compartment. The engine cover will need to come off so you can access various hoses in the cooling and emissions system.
The area right above the passenger...
The area right above the passenger side of the engine will be the new home for the supercharger. The stock coolant return line wont clear between the valve cover and charger housing. Since the cooling system was opened, the engine was drained of antifreeze. The water pump return must be capped off and the return-line relocated to the driver side of the engine.
The relocated coolant return...
The relocated coolant return line goes right into the engine head. Directly above the No. 3 cylinder is a factory plug that seals the cooling jacket. Remove the plug and route the coolant return line behind the engine and alongside to its new home.
Next, the valvebody for the...
Next, the valvebody for the air injection system was moved. For emissions, an air pump forces air through this valve into the exhaust and heats the catalytic converters to reduce cold start pollution. The valve normally rides on top of the fuel rails. KB moved it to rest underneath the fuel rails and allow clearance for the supercharger unit.
KBs kit reuses the stock...
KBs kit reuses the stock throttle body but moves it to a new location. Unbolt the stock unit and place it aside. With the throttle body off, it is critical that nothing falls into the intake manifold. To be sure, stuff some rags in the hole while the mating surface of the intake is cleaned.
The air pump was relocated...
The air pump was relocated too. Simply unbolt the air pump and place it where the air dam used to be. The bolts should match up to ensure a snug fit. The new air filter will rest where the air pump used to be.
Now the fun begins. Break...
Now the fun begins. Break out the shiny aluminum and get ready. KBs air knuckle bolts on where the throttle body used to be. All surfaces are carefully cleaned prior to installation. KB supplies a factory GM gasket that matches the air knuckle to a T. Snug up the bolts to ensure no air leaks.
The most challenging step...
The most challenging step is bolting on the charger itself. This is a two-man job due to the bulk of the unit. One man holding, one man bolting.
The unit is held on by two...
The unit is held on by two bolts. These mate directly to the engine block and should be exposed after the relocation of the coolant return line. All bolts are left slightly loose until the parts are all put on. Afterward, everything will be torqued down.
A section of air hose connects...
A section of air hose connects between the charger unit and air knuckle. The hose is fitted over the charger unit FIRST, then slid onto the air knuckle. As this is a tight fit, KB uses silicon spray lube to make it go on easier.
Clamps are then installed...
Clamps are then installed to ensure an airtight seal between the intake and charger unit. These must be tight, as any air leaking in past the mass air meter will cause detonation and engine destruction.
KBs pulley tensioner...
KBs pulley tensioner system is bolted up next. The mounting plate bolts directly to the charger unit. Youll notice the spring tensioner has been removed. This allows access to the bolt holes.
Thread the V-belt and reinstall...
Thread the V-belt and reinstall the tensioner. KBs supplied tensioner torques clockwise and applies exterior pressure to the belt to eliminate slippage.
Reinstall the throttle body...
Reinstall the throttle body to the charger unit itself. Factory wiring harnesses for the throttle solenoid should be long enough to reach. Be certain to clean the mating surfaces and torque the bolts accordingly. This is a critical area where there cannot be ANY air leaks.
This unit uses a portion of...
This unit uses a portion of the factory air horn. The end that mates to the throttle body is cut to length and clamped on. The factory mass air meter is installed along with the new air filter. The air filter and air meter are installed where the air injection pump used to be. Again, it is critical that all seals not leak, so torque those clamps as best you can.
With the installation complete,...
With the installation complete, a crucial step is adding oil to the charger. Understand that the charger contains rotors that move on open bearings that must have lubricant. The housing has a small dipstick that screws in. The proper technique to read the oil level is to remove the dipstick completely, wipe it down, and then screw it back in all the way. Remove again and add oil as necessary. It should take about 5 ounces to fill the reservoir. Too much or too little oil causes the unit to overheat, so use precision.
With all components installed...
With all components installed and torqued down, reinstall the engine cover and wipe down all that new aluminum to a beautiful shine.
Now then, what about the injectors?...
Now then, what about the injectors? That is part of the installation that may not be necessary for enthusiasts. The unit that was installed was a prototype. The production unit and kit, slated for sale in mid-June, will require bigger injectors on special applications only. Constant refinement has lead to a supercharger unit that, for most applications, will be able to use stock injectors.
While driving home from the grocery store you realize that the ice cream is melting, the beer has already gotten warm, and the football game on TV just started. If only your Suburban had a little more punch to launch you in front of traffic. So you wanna go fast? You want shiny aluminum? We have the perfect solution: Supercharge it!
As with all good things, they can only get better. Chevrolets introduction of the 8.1 Vortec V-8 engine promised to make the Suburban climb to the top of the SUV market. Chevys new engine pumps out around 340 horses at the crank and was Dyno-tested to put 273 at the rear wheels. That kind of power coupled to a 4L60E four-speed automatic makes the 7,000-pound behemoth move at a reasonable rate. However, we arent concerned with the reasonable. A fast truck is good, but a faster truck is better.
The folks at Kenne Bell Superchargers share the sentiment. Just as Chevy was slating the 8.1 engine for production in Suburbans, Kenne Bell was making the prototype auto-rotor Supercharger to fit. We followed Kenne Bell through the installation of its new 8.1 supercharger kit. The Auto-Rotor charger bolted onto Chevys 8.1 showed dramatic improvement. With the engine turning 3,150 rpm, torque jumped to 365 lb-ft at the rear wheels. The biggest gains came in horsepower. With a Kenne Bell unit attached and the engine turning 4,200 rpm, the engine produced 382 horses at the rear wheels and an estimated 477 horses at the crank. Keep in mind this is from a bolt-on unit requiring minimal modification for installation. After an evening at the shop, we can vouch for the simplicity of installation. A novice mechanic may need an entire day for installationthats with a blindfold and one hand tied behind his back.