PRI 2014: Magnuson’s Heartbeat Superchargers Pump Up LS Engines

Magnuson superchargers have always been favorites among the Chevy faithful, both for traditional small block applications and Gen III/IV LS engines. Their new Heartbeat superchargers stand to continue that favored status, providing efficient boost in a compact package.

Per Magnuson’s Paul Webb, the Heartbeat line of superchargers are a money saver, too, because they’re designed to fit under stock hoods and don’t require an expensive replacement cowl hood. Their low profile comes thanks to a plenum design that splits the high-efficiency intercooler “brick” into two pieces with pressurized air flowing horizontally instead of vertically. On the wet side, tiny dimples inside the intercooler core tumble the coolant and radically improve heat transfer.

The compressors use Eaton’s highly efficient TVS rotor pack, the technology of choice for GM’s factory LSA, LS9, and LT4 supercharged engines, and a demand-operated bypass valve “unloads” the supercharger during light throttle operation, effectively giving you the fuel economy of a naturally-aspirated engine when you want it, along with instant power and torque when you need it.

With applications in stock for LS3/L99, LS7, and LSA engines, Magnuson’s Heartbeat line covers the most popular late model GM performance vehicles, and their kits for the new Gen V 6.2L L86 trucks and SUV’s prove these new direct injection engines love boost. Keep an eye out in just a few weeks for a Heartbeat kit for C7 Corvettes, too!