Can You Find an LT1 Supercharger For a Camaro?
Chevrolet Camaro is an incredible vehicle, and it has been one of the most popular muscle cars in history. If you own a model with an LT1 engine, you might want to consider an LT1 supercharger.
By getting an LT1 supercharger, you will be able to increase the power of the engine and transform your car into something amazing. Let’s take a look at these engines, Camaros, and why installing a supercharger is such a good idea.
Chevrolet Camaro
When the Chevrolet Camaro was introduced, the idea behind it was to compete with the Ford Mustang as an affordable pony car. Over the years, the popularity of the Camaro kept growing, and today, it is one of the most iconic vehicles we have. Even though the design has changed since 1967, the Camaro is still one of the best-selling models by Chevrolet.
Interestingly, the company decided to stop production of Camaros in 2002, but the project was revived later. If you love muscle cars, you are probably well aware of how incredible this car is. And to make it even better, all you need to do is install a Camaro supercharger kit.
History of Camaro
The production of the Camaro started in 1966, and the first series was available a year later. Originally, Camaro shared the platform with Pontiac Firebird, and there have been several different editions of the model. Of all Camaros, probably the most popular was the Camaro SS, which is short for Super Sport. The company also offered RS or Rally Sport and a high-performance version named Z/28. All of these models are still branded as Camaro, but there have been a couple of differences in the engine, performance, and additional features.
As the vehicle industry changed, so did Camaro. Today, we have a vehicle that’s completely different compared to the original series from the sixties.
Different Generations
As we talked about before, the production of the Camaro started in 1966. This was the beginning of the first generation of Camaros.
- First gen from 1966 to 1969
- Second gen from 1970 to 1981
- Third gen from 1982 to 1992
- Fourth gen from 1993 to 2002
- Fifth gen from 2010 to 2015
- Sixth gen from 2016
Chevrolet decided to discontinue this series in 2002, and it was supposed to be the last series of Camaro. Almost a decade later, Chevrolet introduced a concept car that eventually became the fifth generation of Camaro. Naturally, there are little to no similarities to previous models, but the brand is back, and you can find new models today. The current generation of Camaro bears similarities with other muscle cars like Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Ford Mustang.
Versions of Camaro
Besides the original version of Camaro, there have been numerous versions of the model. Each generation introduced something more, and we should take a look at some of the options that were available through the years.
- Camaro SS
- Camaro RS
- Camaro Z/28
- IROC-Z
- ZL1
- LS
- LT
- Others
In addition to standard models of Camaro, there have been a couple of special editions and limited runs with different upgrades. However, going through each and every option would be nearly impossible, and most of these versions are not available for customers.
The most popular versions are undoubtedly SS and ZL1, as well as the Z28 series for earlier generations.
Engines Used on Camaro
As with any other vehicle with a long history, Camaro also went through many changes when it comes to engines. Even within a single generation, you can choose between a couple of different engine options. It mostly comes down to what you’re looking for and what you expect from your car.
| First gen | Second gen | Third gen | Fourth gen | Fifth gen | Sixth gen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L L22 | 3.8 L V6 | 2.5 L LQ8 | 3.4 L L32 | 3.6 L LLT | 2.0 L l4 |
| 4.1 L L22 | 3.8 L l6 | 2.8 L LC1 | 3.8 L L36 | 3.6 L LFX | 3.6 L LGX |
| 4.6 L V8 | 4.1 L l6 | 2.8 L LB8 | 5.7 L LT1 | 5.3 L LSX | 6.2 L LT1 |
| 4.9 L Z28 | 5.0 L LG3 | 3.1 L LH0 | 5.7 L LT4 | 5.3 L LSX | 6.2 L LT4 |
| 5.0 L L14 | 5.7 L L65 | 5.0 L V8 | 5.7 L LS1 | 6.2 L LS3 | |
| 5.4 L LF7 | 5.7 L LM1 | 5.7 L L98 | 6.2 L L99 | ||
| 5.7 L LM1 | 5.7 L LT-1 | 6.2 L LSA | |||
| 5.7 L L48 | 5.7 L L82 | 7.0 L LS7 | |||
| 6.5 L L34 | 6.5 L L78 | ||||
| 7.0 L Z72 | 6.6 L V8 |
As you can see, different Camaros used LT engines, and we can notice the first appearance in the second generation of this vehicle.
LT1 Engines
Over the years, Camaro used many different engines and variations from l4 to V8. And it all depends on the series and year of the car which engine will be inside of the car. If you are interested in getting an LT1 supercharger, there are a couple of different models that use this engine.
- LT-1 from 1970 to 1972 for Camaro Z28
- LT1 from 1993 to 1997 for Camaro Z28, SS, and B4C
- LT4 in 1997 for Camaro SLP/LT4
- LT1 from 2016 to present for Camaro SS
- LT4 from 2017 to present for Camaro ZL1
Earlier versions of LT engines were a part of the small-block series by Chevrolet, while the newer ones are from the LS series. So, finding a supercharger would require you to know which one of these Camaros you own before you can go shopping.
Camaro SS
The Super Sport or SS variant of Camaro has been available since the model was introduced in 1966, and it remained one of the most popular muscle cars. However, the SS version is not the most powerful one you can find on the market, and there are several different Camaros with better performance. Naturally, we are not counting special editions and vehicles modified for drag racing.
- Camaro ZL1
- Camaro Z/28
The current series of Camaro SS is available with an LT1 engine, so you might be looking for a supercharger. Even though there have been several models with LT engines, the current series is more likely to be used with a blower.
Getting a 93-97 LT1 Supercharger
Another version of Camaro that used an LT1 engine was made between 1993 and 1997. There have been three versions of the car with this engine, and getting a supercharger for them is quite simple. Since the only important thing to know is the exact type of engine, all three versions can use the same blower.
Of course, this generation of Camaro is not as popular as the first or the current one. But, you can still upgrade the engine by installing a supercharger. This is one of the simplest ways to boost performance and ensure your car runs better than ever.
If you want to get the best possible results, you might also want to consider upgrading oil systems, air to air intercoolers, exhaust systems, and anything else that may affect the overall performance of your Camaro.
Newer Versions of Camaro
When it comes to the current generation of Camaro, there are several different versions and trim levels you can find on the market. The differences between them can vary from additional features to supercharged engines. Yes, you read it right. Some versions of Camaro are already supercharged from the start, and you won’t need to get a blower separately.
| Camaro LS | Camaro LT | Camaro RS | Camaro SS | Camaro ZL1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L Ecotec l4 | 2.0 L Ecotec l4 | 2.0 L Ecotec l4 | 6.2 L LT1 V8 | 6.2 L LT4 V8 |
| 3.6 L LGX V6 | ||||
| 6.2 L LT1 V8 |
The 2.0-liter Ecotec engine is turbocharged, while the LT4 V8 in Camaro ZL1 is supercharged. This will make a world of difference when it comes to performance. We should also mention that the LT series of Camaro is also available as LT1 with the engine of the same name. The LT1 and SS share engines.
How to Install an LT1 Supercharger
Once you find a supercharger that can fit an LT1 engine, you can start thinking about your options for installation. There are two ways you can approach the problem. You can either install the blower by yourself or let the professionals do it for you. If you decide to install it alone, you should know that it might require a bit of experience with the engine. The process is not impossible to complete on your own, but it might take you a while.
Of course, if you don’t mind spending a bit more, you can always take your car to the local service/workshop and let them handle the task. This will increase the overall cost by between $500 and $1000, but it will eliminate the possibility of something going wrong during the installation.
Maintenance
When it comes to maintenance, the process is quite simple. It won’t take you long, and you don’t need to worry about it too much. All you need to do is replace the oil in the supercharger, and you’ll be good to go. As for the frequency, the best possible idea is to check out the instruction manual and see what the recommendations are for the brand and how often the oil needs replacing.
Generally speaking, you should change the oil in the blower as often as you replace engine oil. Keep in mind that each supercharger system is different, so we can’t tell with certainty after how many miles you will need to change the oil.
LT1 Supercharger Kit
Our recommendation is to always get a supercharger kit since it will arrive with all the necessary parts you might need for the installation. While it is possible to find a blower on its own, it will just complicate the entire process. Needless to say, if some parts need replacing, you will be forced to buy them separately, which will only delay the installation further.
Today, you can find numerous different kits by major brands, especially for newer Camaros. It is up to you to choose which one you like the most. ProCharger kits, Whipple, Eaton, and other well-known brands are always a good option. And the best thing about them is that they come with all the parts you need for the installation, and they are designed for the specific series of the Camaro.
LT4 Supercharger on LT1 — Is it Possible?
Interestingly enough, you can find superchargers that allow you to convert your LT1 engine to LT4. This applies only to stock models, and modified vehicles won’t be able to use the kit without further modifications. This is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys the design and looks of LT4 and wants to upgrade their Camaro.
Keep in mind that the majority of kits you can find on the market work only for the current series of Camaro. You won’t be able to install this kit on a Camaro made in the nineties. The price of the kit varies based on power and whether it already has a supercharger in it.
What Will It Give You?
Supercharging a car will give an instant boost in performance, and you’ll be able to increase horsepower and torque. As for the exact numbers, it mostly depends on the stock engine, type of supercharger, brand, and whether you will go for additional upgrades. In general, you can expect over 150 horsepower more, which can be quite impressive since LT engines are already powerful.
Newer Camaros with 6.2-liter LT1 engines will offer 455 horsepower as a stock version. This means that you can easily go over 600 hp with the upgrade. Boosting performance even further is quite possible, but it all comes down to how much you’re willing to spend for the upgrade.
Is It Worth Supercharging a Camaro?
Yes! Supercharging a Camaro is the simplest way to improve the vehicle and make it run better than ever. And the upgrade is quite simple. Once you find a supercharger you like and install it, you will be able to notice the difference as soon as you start the engine.
You will feel like you bought a brand new car. If you dreamed of having a powerful car, getting a blower might be your best possible option. There is no other upgrade that will make as significant of a difference, and horsepower gains will be incredible.
Learn more about the 2018 Camaro SS supercharger, the different generations of Camaros, supercharger cost, installation, maintenance and supercharger brands available for your late model Camaro.
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