Positive-Displacement Versus Centrifugal Blowers
How Much “Blower” Do You Need?
Positive-Displacement Blowers: Calculating Boost and Increased Boost with a Pulley Change
Centrifugal Superchargers: Calculating Maximum Boost
The Importance of a Charge Cooler
Surge Protection
Pulley Size and Performance
Belt Wrap and Belt Size
GM Factory-Supercharged LS9 and LSA Engines
Chapter 3: Turbocharger Types and Selection
LS-Powered Production Vehicles
Turbocharger Component Terms
Operation Basics
Understanding Turbocharger Sizes
Selecting the Right-Size Turbocharger
Turbocharger Aspect Ratio
Pitfalls of Mixing Turbines and Compressors
Elements of a Turbo System
Boost Controller and Turbo Timer
Single- Versus Twin-Turbo Systems
Bolt-On Turbo Kits and Tuner Systems
Chapter 4: Kit Preinstallation
Body and Chassis Component Removal
Engine Preparation
Fuel-Pressure Relief
Oil Pan/Oil System Modifications
“Pinning” the Crankshaft
Fuel Pump
Fuel Injectors
Spark Plugs
Real-World Project: Camshaft and Valve Springs Swap
Chapter 5: Supercharger Installation Projects
Project 1: Roots/Screw-Type Supercharger Kit
Project 2: Centrifugal Supercharger Kit
Chapter 6: Turbocharger Installation Projects
Real-World Project: Lingenfelter System
Custom Turbo System Fabrication
The STS Option
Building a Race Car around a Turbo System
Chapter 7: Tuning for Supercharged and Turbocharged Engines
Air + Fuel = Horsepower
Mass Airflow Versus Speed Density
Map Sensors
GM Controllers
Prepackaged Programming
Aftermarket Flash Software
Livernois Motorsports’ X-Treme Cal Tuning System
Stand-Alone Control Systems
Chassis Dyno Tuning
Wideband Tuning
Throttle Body Considerations
Electronic Throttle Concerns
Methanol Injection
E85 Conversion Basics
Chapter 8: Building an LS Engine for Boost: Cylinder Block and Rotating Assembly
Cylinder Block
Resleeving the Factory Aluminum Block
Installing Piston Oil Squirters
Rotating Assembly
Chapter 9: Building an LS Engine: Heads, Cam, and Induction
Cylinder Heads
Valves
Valvetrain Components
Cylinder Head Gaskets
Camshaft
Turbocharger Camshaft
Ignition and the Crank Trigger Conversion
Intake Manifold
Throttle Body
Fuel Injectors
Chapter 10: Engine Build Projects
Supercharged Engine Build
Turbocharged Engine Build
DEDICATION
To Mary Kluczyk
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to acknowledge and thank the following for their assistance and support during the creation of this book: Brian Thomson and the technicians at Thomson Automotive; Joe Borschke at Stenod Performance; Dan Millen and the technicians at Livernois Motorsports; and Shari McCullough-Arfons and Sunpro; and Aaron Schoen.
INTRODUCTION
A longtime cliché of the automotive world is the phrase “they don’t build ’em like they used to.” When it comes to the performance capability of the General Motors Gen III/Gen IV engines (commonly known as “LS” engines), that old adage couldn’t be truer—but not in the traditional sense.
The LS engines aren’t built like the old small-blocks, and that’s a good thing. They’ve proven to be very durable and, with their exceptional airflow capabilities, they are capable of tremendous power with comparatively little work. Add a supercharger or turbo system to one of these compact powerhouses and the dyno numbers go through the roof.