The
following installation overview is designed to give you an idea of what is involved
in installing Vortech's new aftercooled supercharger system on a 2000-2002 Honda S2000. Special
thanks to SuperchargersOnline.com customer Brian Troup for his help in creating
this article.
Installation
Info
Installer: Brian Troup
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vehicle: 2001 Honda S2000
Supercharger System: Vortech
Supercharger Kit w/ V-2 SQ SC-Trim & Maxlfow Aftercooler for 2000-2002 Honda
S2000 (V4HS218-010SQ)
Ratings
(Scale of 1-10, 10 being the best)
Packaging: 10
Installation manual: 8
Appearance of System: 9
Ease of installation: 6
Quality of supercharger: 10
Quality of accessories/hardware: 9
Overall value of system: 9
Performance (low-end): 5
Performance (mid-range): 7
Performance (top-end): 9
Overall Rating: 8
Step-by-Step
Installation Overview
| 1. |
Removal
of engine Components - When you start you will need to remove several
stock Engine parts from the engine bay. These include the stock air box
VTEC Solonoid, Crank Pulley, and Idler Pulley |
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| 2. |
Fuel
System - To install the new fuel pump you will need to remove the stock
fuel pump from beneath the roof well. Once it is out you will need to
pull the pump out of the stock assembly and install the new pump. |
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| 3. |
The
Fuel Management unit will need to be installed under the hood. This unit
has a fuel return line that will to replace the existing line that goes
under the car. It also has a pressure line that goes to the presure regulator.
You will need to splice the existing fule presure line for the new FMU. |
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| 4. |
Oil
pan return line - You will need to remove the oil pan to go to the next
step. There are a lot of bolts as well as honda bond holding it on. Take
your time and keep your bolts organized so when you re assemble you will
know where they go. Reinstall Oil Pan. |
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| 5. |
Tapping the oil pan for oil drain line - Vortech supplies a bit to drill
through the oil pan but you will need to first grind off the two fins
that are in the way. Once the hole is drilled you will need to tap the
hole with an 3/8" NPT or Pipe tap. make sure to thouraly clean the entire
oil Pan to ensure that it is free of debri. |
 |
| 6. |
Air
cooler install - You will need to predrill holes for the self tapping
screws. Make sure that the drill bit used is smaller than the screw itself.
Attach both copper fitings and the top water hose to the cooler before
you install it to make threading the hose into engine bay easier. |
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| 7. |
Water
pump Install - Use mounting bracket to attach pump to frame with self
tapping screws. Drill hole first. |
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| 8. |
Water
Resovouir - Mount resovoiur with self tapping screws as shown. |
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| 9. |
Super
Charger Mounting Bracket assembley - Carefully follow supplied directions
when installing pulleys, hoses, and brackets to Super charger. |
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| 10. |
Assemble
aftercooler - Follow directions for this portion of install. |
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| 11. |
Carefully
follow diagram when installing wiring to ECU. Once wiring is verified
and car is functional it would be best to soulder the connectons to ensure
a solid and secure connection |
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| 12. |
Air Box
install - Install air filter into air box and then place into proper postion.
It is a snug fit so expect to muscle it in there. |
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| 13. |
Supercharger
Mounting - Carefully mount S/C on the pre installed bracket with both
acc belts and S/C belt loosely threaded. Tighten down all nuts in order
specified by instructions. Connect the oil Drain and feed lnes to oil
pan and oil feed connection. |
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| 14. |
Instal aftercooler
- Install the after cooler making sure that all brlt clamps are very tight
and that aftercooler is very snug. |
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| 15. |
Connect
all hoses - There are amny hoses that must be connected torward the end
of the install make sure all these are corrct and tight. |
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| 16. |
Your S/C
should look like this when you are done. Verify all nuts, bolts, scews,
hoses, clamps and any other connection you can find. Now go out and test
the car at low boost, under VTEC. Bring it back and check for leaks and
any other problem. Follow Vortech instructions for further testing of
vehicle. |
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| 17. |
Clear for
departure. |
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Survey
We asked Brian the following general questions about his installation procedure.
Question:
Please provide us with a general overview of how the installation procedure
went.
Answer: The installation went very smoothly. This is a well made kit and it went together very cleanly.
Question:
How long did the installation take?
Answer: 22 hours
Question:
What was the most difficult part of the installation?
Answer: Mounting the supercharger to the engine.
Question:
What was the easiest part of the installation?
Answer: Installing the aftercooler assembly was surprisingly easy.
Question: Was the installation manual easy to understand?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Did anything about the installation process surprise you?
Answers: I was surprised at the large number of parts that were included
in the kit.
Question: Were any strange tools required for the installation?
Answer: A few Honda specific parts are recommended but they are not neccecary.
Queston: Let's say I have installed an exhaust system and air filter
on my vehicle myself without much difficulty. I am not a mechanic, but I know
my way around the engine. Should I attempt this installation myself, or should
I take it to a professional?
Answer: You should have no problem if you are organized and alot the
neccecary time for the install.
Queston:
Please describe your first impressions of the supercharger's performance
after driving the vehicle for the first time with the supercharger installed.
Answer: I was very impressed with the performance. It is still a little
laggy on the low-end, which was expected considering it is a centrifugal supercharger,
but in the higer parts of the RPM range it really kicks. There are noticable
gains at 4000 rpm, but at 5800, it shows tremendous gains and really set you
in the seat.
General comments: Make sure you verify that all of your parts match those
on the checklist supplied by Vortech. Several parts were missing from my box.
Vortech was very good about sending them to me overnight, but it's much easier
to figure it all out before you start the install.