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 2000-2003 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 |  |
| 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. |  |
| 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 pressure regulator. You will need to splice the existing fule presure line for the new FMU. |  |
| 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. |  |
| 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 thoroughly clean the entire oil Pan to ensure that it is free of debris. |  |
| 6. | Air cooler install – You will need to pre-drill holes for the self tapping screws. Make sure that the drill bit used is smaller than the screw itself. Attach both copper fittings and the top water hose to the cooler before you install it to make threading the hose into engine bay easier. |  |
| 7. | Water pump Install – Use mounting bracket to attach pump to frame with self tapping screws. Drill hole first. |  |
| 8. | Water Resovouir – Mount resovoiur with self tapping screws as shown. |  |
| 9. | Super Charger Mounting Bracket assembly – Carefully follow supplied directions when installing pulleys, hoses, and brackets to Super charger. |  |
| 10. | Assemble aftercooler – Follow directions for this portion of install. |  |
| 11. | Carefully follow diagram when installing wiring to ECU. Once wiring is verified and car is functional it would be best to solder the connections to ensure a solid and secure connection |  |
| 12. | Air Box install – Install air filter into air box and then place into proper position. It is a snug fit so expect to muscle it in there. |  |
| 13. | Supercharger Mounting – Carefully mount S/C on the pre installed bracket with both accessory belts and S/C belt loosely threaded. Tighten down all nuts in order specified by instructions. Connect the oil Drain and feed lines to oil pan and oil feed connection. |  |
| 14. | Instal aftercooler – Install the after cooler making sure that all brlt clamps are very tight and that aftercooler is very snug. |  |
| 15. | Connect all hoses – There are many hoses that must be connected toward the end of the install make sure all these are correct and tight. |  |
| 16. | Your S/C should look like this when you are done. Verify all nuts, bolts, screws, 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. |  |
| 17. | Clear for departure. |  |
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 necessary.
Question: 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 a lot the
necessary 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.