The 1976 Corvette, fitted with the L82 350 cubic-inch engine, was rated at 210 horsepower. Even then, this weak performance number from what was supposed to be Chevrolet's prizefighter was considered anemic. This made the 1976 Corvette the ideal platform for engine modifications on horsepower upgrades. Numerous superchargers are available for the 1976 Corvette, many of which employ the twin-screw "Roots" style supercharger housing, which mounts in place of the intake manifold.
Tools Used: 3/8-inch drive socket set, Torque wrench, Screwdrivers, Gasket scraper
Install Super Charger
Disconnect the vehicle's battery, then drain the engine coolant by loosening the compression band on the lower radiator hose with a screwdriver and pulling the radiator hose off of the radiator. Drain the engine oil, then remove the air intake by unscrewing the wing nut located in the center of the air cleaner assembly. Pull off the top of the assembly, then unbolting the lower air cleaner assembly from the carburetor. The air cleaner will now lift completely off of the engine.
Loosen the drive belt from the front of the engine by placing a socket wrench on the belt tensioner pulley, located directly to the left of the fan pulley. Slip the drive belt off the alternator pulley. Unbolt the alternator bracket and remove the alternator, then unbolt the air conditioning compressor, but do not remove the compressor tubing to avoid discharging the air conditioning system.
Remove the throttle linkage from the carburetor by twisting the throttle arm with your fingers and then slipping the knob end out of its mounting hole. Remove the fuel line from the carburetor. Unbolt the carburetor itself from the intake manifold using the socket set.
Unbolt the twelve bolts which attach the intake manifold to the cylinder heads with the socket wrench. Use a screwdriver to pry the intake manifold off the engine. Try to avoid allowing any gasket material to enter the engine. At all costs, avoid damaging the cylinder heads or the engine block. Use a gasket scraper to remove the old gasket from the engine block.
Install the supercharger manifold onto the block, along with new manifold and port gaskets, which were removed in the previous step. Align the bolt holes, then insert the bolts which hold the supercharger manifold in place. Tighten them down evenly, turning each one turn at a time until all 12 bolts are tightened to 15 lb/ft of torque. Use the torque wrench to determine the proper torque on the manifold bolts.
Install the brackets for the air conditioning compressor and the alternator. Install the pulley for the supercharger on the fan pulley. Tighten the bolts down, then install the air conditioning compressor and the alternator with the socket wrench.
Install the supercharger unit onto the supercharger intake by bolting it together, using the bolts supplied with the supercharger kit. These bolts should be torqued to at least 15 lb/ft. Install the supercharger drive belt by first slipping it around the fan pulley, and then onto the supercharger pulley.
Install the carburetor onto the supercharger air/fuel intake located at the top of the supercharger unit, bolting it in place with the stock carburetor bolts. Install the fuel line back onto the carburetor, and then route the throttle linkage back onto the throttle control.
Install the air intake which was supplied with the supercharger kit onto the carburetor, bolting it down with the supplied fittings. Fill the engine with oil, then reinstall the radiator hoses and fill the radiator with coolant. Route the engine accessory drive belt, then reconnect the vehicle battery.
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