2018 Camaro SS Supercharger Will Make a World of Difference For Your Car
2018 Camaro SS supercharger. Supercharging your Camaro is one of the simplest ways to boost performance. You will get a nice increase in horsepower and torque, and you will notice the difference as soon as you start the engine.
Here, we will take a closer look at what superchargers have to offer, how to find them, and what models are available on the market. So, let’s take a look at the iconic Camaro SS and ways to make it even better.
2016 Camaro SS Supercharger
When the Chevrolet Camaro was introduced in the sixties, no one could have predicted that it would become one of the most popular cars of the era. So far, there have been numerous versions and generations, and each had to offer something a bit different.
If you are a fan of vintage cars, you are probably aware that there are newer models on the market as well. One could say that new Camaros are better in every single way, and the performance is exceptional. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be better.
The simplest way to improve the engine and make it run even better is by adding a Camaro supercharger kit. These handy little devices can transform the car into something beautiful and powerful in no time. It is also the simplest and most effective performance boost you can find.
[read more]History of Camaro
All of this leads us to the history of Camaro. You need to know what type of car you have before you can look for upgrades. And saying that you own a Camaro is far from enough. The car has been in production since 1966, and there have been six generations of this model.
Originally, the Camaro was designed as a pony car, and the idea was to be direct competition to the Ford Mustang. As time went by, Camaro gained fans all over the world, and it quickly became one of the most popular cars of the era. Whether it managed to dethrone Mustang or not is up for debate, but there is no denying that it helped shape the car industry during the sixties.
Different Generations
As the car industry changed and evolved, so did the Chevrolet Camaro. There were four generations of Camaro before the production ended. However, the brand was revived a couple of years later, and it was based on a concept model that became the fifth-gen Camaro.
- The first generation from 1967 to 1969
- The Second generation from 1970 to 1981
- Third generation from 1982 to 1992
- The Fourth generation from 1994 to 2002
- The Fifth generation from 2010 to 2015
- The Sixth generation starting in 2016
Chevrolet Camaro is available today in its newer version, which is more in line with current muscle cars like Mustang, Charger, and Challenger. It is obvious that the car shares similarities with newer models, and it is still among the most popular cars you can find.
Camaro SS and Different Engines Used
As you probably noticed, we kept talking about Camaro in general. But what about the iconic Camaro SS? The SS stands for Super Sport, and it was introduced with the first generation of Camaro. Interestingly enough, the SS was not the only model available, Camaro also came in the RS (Rally Sport) variant, and Z/28 was introduced in 1967.
Both RS and SS packages were dropped in 1972 and brought back in 1996. If we are focusing only on SS models, they were initially available from 1966 to 1972. The next series was a limited edition, and it was available between 1996 and 1997. It had a small-block Chevrolet LT4 engine that offered 330 horsepower.
| First-gen | 5.7-liter or 6.5-liter | 295 hp or 325 hp |
|---|---|---|
| Second-gen | 5.7-liter or 6.5-liter | 295 hp or 350 hp |
| Fourth-gen | 5.7-liter | 330 hp |
| Fifth-gen | 6.2-liter | 426 hp |
| Sixth-gen | 6.2-liter | 455 hp |
In 1998, the SS series saw a couple of changes, and it was available throughout the rest of the generation. Each following series of Camaro had the SS trim levels, and the fifth generation used a 6.2-liter V8 that offered 426 horsepower. Current models have a 6.2-liter LT1 engine that produces 455 horsepower.
Sixth Generation of Camaro
The production of current Camaro models started in 2015 for the 2016 model year. SS is one of three possible trim levels, and you can also find:
- ZL1
- SS
- Special edition models
As we mentioned before, the SS has a 6.2-liter V8 engine, and it is available in both manual and automatic versions. The engine has 455 horsepower with 455 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine that Chevrolet used for the Corvette C7. While there were slight changes to the model over the years, the engine remains the same, which means that you can use the same LT1 supercharger for any car with an LT1 engine.
Different Trim Levels
It is worth mentioning that SS is also available in different trim levels, and you can find 1SS and 2SS. The important thing for those looking for a supercharger is that both models have the same engine, which means that you can use the same blower on either car. Since the engine is the most important thing when choosing a blower, you will have an easier time finding the one you like.
The only difference between 1SS and 2SS is in interiors, and the latter model has leather seats with heating and other additional features that won’t affect performance.
Installing a 2017 Camaro SS Supercharger
If you already have a perfect supercharger on your mind, you will need to start thinking about the installation. There are two ways you could approach the problem:
- Install it alone
- Leave it for professionals
Now, each of these methods can be good, based on the situation. If you are experienced in installing superchargers, you can do it on your own without any problems. The only thing you will need is tools and time. But for those that never tried anything similar, the task might be too challenging.
And this is when the best option is to take your car to the service and let them handle the problem. Your car will be ready in no time, and you won’t need to worry if something goes wrong during the installation.
How Much Will It Cost?
The next thing you will probably want to know is how much you will need to pay for this pleasure. There are a couple of things you need to know. Firstly, the supercharger kit can cost between $4,000 and $7,000 based on the type and size of the blower.
Each model is different, and there are many variables that can affect the price. Needless to say, popular brands will cost more, but you will be able to get more power from them. At the same time, if you plan on installing the supercharger by yourself, you will be able to save money in the process since you won’t need to pay for the installation.
In general, the installation cost is between $500 and $1,000, but it would be best to contact the service to confirm it.
2018 Camaro SS Supercharger Maintenance
Once the 2018 Camaro SS supercharger installation process is done, you can start enjoying your new car. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t need to worry about the supercharger ever again. You will still need to service it.
Fortunately, maintenance is quite simple, and it won’t take you too much time. In essence, all you need to do is change the oil in the blower every once in a while. Drivers usually change the oil in the blower as often as they change engine oil, and it should be enough.
Check the instruction manual for the blower and see whether the manufacturer wrote something about maintenance. Usually, they will state which brand of oil is good for your supercharger, as well as how often you should replace it.
What Is the Best Supercharger for Camaro SS?
Now, the topic of the best supercharger is a bit tricky. The reason for this is that it is quite subjective. What do you expect from the best model? Lowest price? The best increase in horsepower? Durability? Or quality? There are many different types of blowers you can find, and it is up to you to choose which one is suitable for your car.
You can always stick to well-known brands and models since you will get a warranty, and you will know that the blower will work as intended. The only thing we would recommend when looking for supercharger systems is to go for the kit instead of buying an individual supercharger.
Types of Superchargers
While choosing a supercharger for your car, there are a couple of different models you can find. Each will have its own advantages and disadvantages, and you can find the same type made by several different manufacturers. Since each comes with pros and cons, the use of superchargers is based on a specific situation.
Do you plan on using your car for drag racing? Or just want more power? In general, there are three types of superchargers:
- Superturbochargers
- PD pumps
- Centrifugal superchargers
Out of these three, positive displacement pumps are probably the most popular. In this category, we can find the well-known Roots-type models, as well as those with twin-screw designs. It is worth mentioning that Whipple superchargers are based on the twin-screw principle, and they are quite good.
Is the 2019 Camaro SS Supercharger Identical?
As we mentioned earlier, all models of Camaro SS that belong in the current generation have a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine designed by General Motors. This means that each vehicle with this engine will be able to use the same supercharger.
The newest series of Camaro SS started in 2016, and the engine hasn’t changed even though there have been a couple of modifications on the car. And having a single type of engine for all models means that you will have an easier time finding a blower for your car. All you need to do is find a supercharger that can fit the LT1 engine, and you’ll be good to go.
Are Hamburger Superchargers Good?
The story of Hamburger Superchargers started in 1970 when Ed Hamburger decided to make a difference (although he didn’t start with superchargers). Over the years, the company evolved from offering performance parts to superchargers in 2018.
Hamburger superchargers are quite good, and they have been one of the most popular models in the past couple of years. And, of course, the company offers a 2018 Camaro SS supercharger too.
All the necessary parts are included in the kit, which means that you won’t need to buy anything else. There are a couple of different versions you can find, and they work regardless of the year of your Camaro, as long as it is a member of the sixth generation. But if you own an older model, you might have trouble finding the right blower.
Other Brands You Can Find
Hamburger superchargers are just one of many brands you can find on the market. And we already mentioned Whipple. Whipple superchargers are excellent if you are interested in twin-screw design, and it’s made in the U.S. Other brands include Eaton, Vortech, ProCharger, and many others.
| Whipple | Eaton | Vortech | ProCharger | Edelbrock | Hamburger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twin-screw | Roots-type | Roots-type | Centrifugal | Roots-type | Centrifugal |
Since Camaro SS is quite popular, there is a high chance you’ll be able to find a model designed by all of these brands. Regardless of the brand you pick, you will get a significant boost in performance. Just keep in mind that if you are looking for a state-of-the-art blower, you might need to pay a bit more.
Is It Worth It?
If you can afford to get yourself a 2018 Camaro SS supercharger, the answer is yes. You will get a huge boost in performance, and the car will feel different. It is a nice upgrade, and there is a reason why so many drivers are into it. And the best thing about it is that there are no downsides.
Regardless of the model you pick, you will upgrade your vehicle, and you will love the change. Needless to say, buying a supercharger is significantly cheaper compared to a new vehicle. But supercharging your engine will feel like you bought one anyway.
If you are looking to upgrade your existing supercharger on your ZL1, you’ll need to take a look at the Camaro ZL1 supercharger article. You could replace it with either a twin screw or roots type as another option.
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