Preview: ProCharger’s New Systems For Boosting The Sixth-Gen Camaro

For fans of modern muscle cars these are amazing times. The sixth-generation Camaro powered by the new LT1 engine comes screaming from the factory with 455 horsepower. While 455 is a good starting point, it also speaks volumes about where cars just at the OEM level have come in the last two decades. Yet even with a zero to sixty time of four seconds flat in the automatic-equipped version of GM’s pony car, there are plenty of enthusiasts out there who want to go faster.

For those yearning to escalate their horsepower game, ProCharger may have just the answer with it’s recently debuted kit for the sixth-gen Camaro SS. Boasting gains of 150-plus horsepower in out of the box trim, these new systems will allow owners to build horsepower from in the 600-plus range to more than double that, taking the new Camaro deep into 4-digit horsepower territory if so desired.

ProCharger developed its supercharger system for the C7 Corvette nearly 2 1/2 years ago, however, as ProCharger’s Erik Radzins points out the Camaro system shares virtually nothing in common with the C7 parts. “The sixth-gen Camaro utilizes a different front engine accessory drive than the C7. This made it virtually impossible to share any parts between the C7 system and the new Camaro system. We were able to take what we’d learned tuning the LT1 in the C7 and apply that knowledge to the Camaro,” says Radzins.

According to Radzins, ProCharger managed to get in early on measuring the sixth-gen Camaro. “We had concerns that the new, smaller Camaro would offer reduced packaging room inside the engine compartment. What we found was there was still ample room to install a supercharger system.”

We had concerns that the new Camaro would offer reduced packaging room inside the engine compartment. What we found was there was still ample room to install a supercharger system. -Erik Radzins, ProCharger

The HO kit is the “entry level” offering for ProCharger’s sixth-gen Camaro systems. The HO system is based around the P-1SC-1 supercharger unit and all of the sixth-gen Camaro systems utilize an all-new billet aluminum bracket. The new bracket contains key components for the dedicated belt drive system including the idler and tensioner pulley.The bracket’s design not only accepts supercharger units up to the F-1A-94, but is also designed to optimize belt wrap and routing. The spring-loaded belt tensioner also allows for pre-load adjustment to further dial-in performance. The included crankshaft drive pulley measures 7.65-inches and installs using ProCharger’s proprietary cam-lock technology.

Charge air cooling is critical to maximizing horsepower and ProCharger offers two intercooler options for sixth-generation Camaro owners. The standard HO kit will ship with an intercooler with 432 cubic-inches of cooling core. For owners who want to crank things up higher, the Stage two intercooler offers 756 cubic-inches of cooling core, and it accepts ProCharger’s Race Bypass blow-off valve. Both coolers are a cross-flow, bar and plate design with welded tanks. Radzins points out that these are also 100 percent made in the USA parts.

Supercharger belt drive and bracket for the sixth-gen Camaro.

Left: The HO system intercooler. Right: The Stage 2 system's larger intercooler. Notice the one-piece molded silicone tube is used in both to route air from the intercooler to the throttle body.

The P-1SC-1 literally has millions of miles of use on it in its history as a ProCharger supercharger. It’s reliable whether you’re daily driving the car, or taking it to the track.

Handling discharged air from the intercooler is another piece unique to ProCharger’s new sixth-gen Camaro system. “It’s a one-piece silicone molded hose. We’ve found that this material offers better heat insulation from radiator heat, and allows us to install the tube from the intercooler to the throttle body using only two clamps.” Radzins points out that the design of the ProCharger system in HO or Stage 2 form requires no cutting, bending, or fabrication and is completely reversible back to stock. Radzins says that the system doesn’t even require cracking open any of the OEM heat exchangers or coolers and can be installed by most experienced enthusiasts in six to eight hours time. ProCharger will offer finishes in black, satin, or polished. The standard HO kit will also include tuning. Tuner kits will also be available.

For fuel, the unmodified standard HO system does not require any upgrades. Radzins says that the OEM fuel system is capable of handling power up to the 600 horsepower range. Beyond that additional upgrades will be necessary. “Owners who want more out of the system and are going to upgrade for more power can go with a Z06 fuel pump upgrade, larger fuel pump lobes on the camshaft, or other upgrades,” says Radzins.

ProCharger’s cam-lock system allows for secure supercharger pulley installment on the crankshaft without the need for drilling or other modifications to the crank pulley.

For P-1SC-1 owners, that supercharger can support up to around 825 horsepower at the crank according to Radzins. “The P-1SC-1 literally has millions of miles of use on it in its history as a ProCharger supercharger. It’s reliable whether you’re daily driving the car, or taking it to the track.” For those looking for four-digit horsepower, stepping up to ProCharger’s F-1A-94 unit will provide enough airflow to eclipse 1,300 horsepower, as long as you’re using the right supporting parts.

ProCharger was showing off a new Z06 with its new intake manifold during the SEMA show last fall. Radzins says that the manifold was just recently tested on the LT1 powered Camaro, power numbers aren’t available yet. However, if you’re going for four-digit power numbers and need not only a better than OEM intake manifold, but also one that you can use to add additional fuel via the additional injector ports on this manifold, the ProCharger manifold is the ticket. This manifold also fits under the stock hood according to Radzins.

The sixth-gen Camaro SS supercharger systems from ProCharger will be available soon, and should be tearing up a track near you this summer.

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About the author

Don Creason

Don Creason is an automotive journalist with passions that lie from everything classic, all the way to modern muscle. Experienced tech writer, and all around car aficionado, Don's love for both cars and writing makes him the perfect addition to the Power Automedia team of experts.
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