How to Choose a Supercharger for Your Camaro

So, it's time to finally force some more air into your Camaro to maximize its potential. Well, you've come to the right place, and we are going to get right into it. If a Camaro turbocharger isn't the right forced induction option for you, get ready to learn how to choose the best supercharger for your Camaro in this comprehensive guide.

Choosing the Right Supercharger for Your Camaro

At the end of the day, the goal is to choose the right supercharger, and we’re not afraid to say that looks a little different for everyone. The good news? We cover each unique type of supercharger and help you determine if it's the right option for your build below.

The Classic Roots Supercharger

We have to start with a classic. A roots-style supercharger gives you that classic Camaro supercharger whine that so many muscle car enthusiasts chase. Plus, when you mount these bad boys on your Camaro’s engine, you don't have to wait for power gains. Since it's a positive displacement supercharger that forces a fixed amount of air into your cylinders, you'll have the power you need the second you hit the gas. For these reasons, roots-style superchargers work great if you want to feel as much G-force as possible from the get-go. We love the roots-style supercharger, but it's not perfect for every single Camaro enthusiast under the sun. Let's say you have a 6.2-liter LT1 engine. This big boy doesn't leave you a lot of room to work with under the hood, so you may need to make some room with hood scoops. What's more, you'll find that a roots-style supercharger can run a little on the toasty side. Thankfully, intercoolers can help you mitigate this problem, but you'll need to make room for these if your supercharger doesn't come with one. Luckily, our sales techs will help you find supercharger kits that come with everything you need from brands like Whipple.

Twin-Screw

The roots-style is a great style, which is why there hasn't been too much innovation on the design. Well, until the twin-screw came to play. With a twin-screw supercharger, you’re getting many of the same benefits that come with a roots-style supercharger, but without many of the drawbacks. This is because the twin-screw design allows the supercharger to compress the air inside its own housing, which saves your intake manifold quite a bit of stress. Plus, your cooling system will thank you due to less heat stress throughout the system. The only time these superchargers run hotter is if you’re really pushing them to their limits, and at this point, you'll likely be okay with an intercooler. Sure, this all sounds great on paper, and it is, but get ready to pay for these upgrades. Twin-screw superchargers tend to cost more than their roots-style cousins, so keep this in mind. For many Camaro owners, the peace of mind that comes with preserving their engine is usually enough to offset the price.

Centrifugal Superchargers

Last but not least, we have one of the more unique superchargers you'll come across. These superchargers actually work more like a turbocharger, and for some, that's all the more reason to slap one of these bad boys under the hood. The main difference is that a belt drives the turbine instead of exhaust gases, so you’re still gaining power as you increase RPMs. In fact, centrifugal superchargers are popular for V6 Camaros, especially if you want high-end power that will walk an unsuspecting V8. In any case, you'll find that centrifugal superchargers give you the most flexibility. Don't have a ton of room under the hood and you don't want to change the hood? A centrifugal supercharger may squeeze under there with minimal problems. While we love a good centrifugal supercharger as much as the next guys, it does have its downsides. The most notable problem is that it lacks the ability to give you instant power, and you'll experience some lag as you increase RPMs. For these reasons, it's not the best option for a drag car, but if you're dropping a gear and disappearing on the highway, these aren't so bad. If you’re looking for the best centrifugal superchargers for your Camaro, consider brands like Vortech, which makes a wide variety of options for V8 and V6 Camaro engines.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Supercharger for Your Camaro

Choosing a supercharger for your Camaro is a big deal, and while the type of supercharger is important, it's not the only thing to worry about. You also need to determine how much boost you want, which is measured in PSI. The more boost you’re running, the more power you'll make. Unfortunately, this can also stress your engine without the right supporting cast of parts. Some additional upgrades to consider include:

• If you drive a manual, please make sure your clutch can handle it before things get messy.
• Make sure you have the necessary heat exchangers and cooling components to keep things safe under the hood.
• You may need forged pistons, stronger head gaskets, and other fortified internals to handle higher boost levels.
• Don't forget about your fuel injection system and fuel pump because it can be a big ask to have your OEM parts keep up with higher boost demands.

Some kits come with the parts you need to run your Camaro safely, but if you’re ever concerned, our sales techs have your back.

Choose the Right Supercharger for Your Camaro When You Shop Online

Getting the best supercharger for your Camaro is only a start, especially if you don't want your engine to explode. Connect with our sales techs and learn about how performance tunes and other supporting parts may be necessary to help you make the most out of your new supercharger.