Edelbrock 15541, 1551, 1552, 15531, 1554 User Manual

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Brochure #63-1551Page 1

Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger Kits Rev. 3/09 - AJ/mc

EDELBROCK E-FORCE SUPERCHARGER KITS

Part #1551, 15511, 1552, 15521, 1553, 15531, 1554,

15541, 15611, 15621, 15631, 15641

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE study these instructions carefully before beginning this installation. Most installations can be accomplished with common tools and

procedures. However, you should be familiar with and comfortable working on your vehicle. If you do not feel comfortable performing this installation, it is recommended to have the installation completed by a qualified mechanic. If you have any questions, please call our Technical Hotline at:

1-800-416-8628, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Proper installation is the responsibility of the installer. Improper installation

will void your warranty and may result in poor performance and engine or vehicle damage.

DESCRIPTION: Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger kits are designed for 302-400 C.I.D. small-block Chevrolet engines. These kits are capable of

producing over 500 HP on most applications. Superchargers will accept standard flange 4-bbl carburetors. Some kits include an 800 CFM Thunder Series AVS carburetor (See “Applications” below). Kit includes all items necessary for installation on most small-block Chevrolet applications. Some modification or aftermarket parts may be required for your particular application such as throttle/kickdown bracketry and cables, waterneck, and accessory pulleys. Kits will work on LONG-STYLE water pump applications ONLY (unless otherwise mentioned). Please read “Before Beginning Installation” section for additional details.

APPLICATIONS:

or Small Block Chevrolet Using Stock V-Belt Driven Accessories

#1551 (As Cast) / 15511 (Polished): Engines with 1986 and earlier (standard bolt-pattern) cylinder heads. #1552 (As Cast) / 15521 (Polished): Engines with Vortec/E-Tec style cylinder heads. #1553 (As Cast) / 15531 (Polished): Engines with 1986 and earlier (standard bolt-pattern) cylinder heads. Includes carburetor. #1554 (As Cast) / 15541 (Polished): Engines with Vortec/E-Tec style cylinder heads. Includes carburetor.

or Small Block Chevrolet Using Billet Specialties Tru Trac Pulley System**

#15611 (Polished): Engines with 1986 and earlier (standard bolt-pattern) cylinder heads. #15621 (Polished): Engines with Vortec/E-Tec style cylinder heads. #15631 (Polished): Engines with 1986 and earlier (standard bolt-pattern) cylinder heads. Includes carburetor. #15641 (Polished): Engines with Vortec/E-Tec style cylinder heads. Includes carburetor.

**Kits require short-style, reverse-rotation water pump.

BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION

WARNING: EXPOSED FUEL AND OIL WILL BE PRESENT DURING THIS INSTALLATION. WHEN WORKING AROUND

GASOLINE OR OIL, ALWAYS WORK IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA, AND KEEP ALL OPEN FLAMES, SPARKS, AND OTHER

SOURCES OF IGNITION AWAY FROM THE WORK AREA. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN A FIRE

OR EXPLOSION.

WARNING: SOME PROCEDURES IN THIS INSTALLATION MAY REQUIRE THE VEHICLE TO BE RAISED ON JACKSTANDS OR A LIFT.

WHEN RAISING A VEHICLE, MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND AND SUPPORTED SECURELY BY JACKSTANDS.

NEVER WORK UNDER A VEHICLE THAT IS SUPPORTED BY A JACK ONLY!

BEFORE BEGINNING: Someone who has a basic knowledge of automobile repair and modification and is familiar with and comfortable with working

on their vehicle can accomplish the mechanical installation of this kit using common tools and procedures. However, successful operation of the engine with this supercharger kit requires a working knowledge of the set-up and tuning of an engine. Keeping a service manual for your vehicle on hand for reference is helpful. This supercharger kit is capable of supporting over 500 HP and will substantially increase the power output of your engine.

Before installing this kit, you should ensure that your engine is in good condition and is capable of supporting these power levels

. Consult a Factory Service Manual for the proper compression test procedure and acceptable in-service limits. This kit is intended to be used on modified street/strip engines. The required modifications to your engine and fuel delivery system are dependent on the boost pressure and power output. Aftermarket pistons, connecting rods, and valves are recommended to assure engine durability. See “Boost and Ignition Timing” on the next page for further information. The higher power output will require an aftermarket high-volume fuel pump such as Edelbrock #1711 (130 gal/hr), 1721 (110 gal/hr), 17000 (175 gal/hr), 1791 (120 gal/hr, electric), or 1792 (160 gal/hr, electric). The valve lash or lifter preload should be properly adjusted.

Brochure #63-1551Page 2

Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger Kits Rev. 3/09 - AJ/mc

BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)

If the valves are not properly seating, or the valve lash is not properly adjusted, the increased temperatures created by the increased power output could accelerate valve seat wear and cause burnt valves. If for any reason your engine has oil pressure that is below the acceptable service limits as specified in the Factory Service Manual, this problem should be corrected before installing this supercharger kit.

Be sure to verify you have all parts

listed in the “Kit Contents” section before starting your installation.

BOOST AND IGNITION TIMING: You MUST reset your ignition timing BEFORE driving the vehicle. Supercharged engines require the total timing to be reduced as compared to a stock engine. The general rule of thumb is to retard timing by two degrees (2°) per pound of boost. The E-Force Supercharger kit is designed to produce approximately 5 lbs. of boost under normal conditions. This would indicate that you retard total timing by 10°. Doing so however, can cause hard starting problems unless your advance curve is adjusted in order to allow you to run a normal initial timing setting. Initial timing should be set typically between 10-14° before TDC. Edelbrock recommends the use of a boost dependent timing retard device with the E-Force Supercharger Kit. This will allow you to run a typical advance curve for optimal performance under all conditions, in or out of boost. We recommend a timing controller such as the MSD Boost Timing Master (MSD Part #5462).

BOOST PRESSURE READINGS: The E-Force Supercharger Kit is designed and intended to produce approximately 5 lbs. of boost on a street/strip modified 350 C.I.D. small-block Chevrolet engine. Our 9.5:1 compression ratio test engine featured our Performer RPM Hydraulic-Roller Camshaft and E-Tec 200 cylinder heads. Stock and more mildly built engines may see higher boost pressures due to being less able to consume the air flow being provided by the supercharger. As RPMs increase, this effect is more noticeable as pressure builds up in the intake manifold. Higher flowing engines may see less boost pressure due to their ability to use more of the air being pushed into the engine by the supercharger. It is possible to look for this effect by reading boost pressure midway through the engine’s operating range (i.e. 3500-4000 rpm), and again at the high end of the operating range (i.e. 5500-6000 rpm). If boost pressure increases significantly as RPM increases, this is an indication of your engine requiring increased breathing capacity in order to use the full potential of the E-Force Supercharger Kit. Ported or aftermarket cylinder heads and a more aggressive camshaft would be recommended. If boost pressure does not increase significantly as you reach the upper end of your operating range, then your engine is breathing adequately for use with the E-Force Supercharger Kit.

AFTER INSTALLATION, BEFORE STARTING THE VEHICLE: We strongly recommend using a colder spark plug in the engine. In our testing, we used Champion RC9YC spark plugs. You may use any manufacturer’s plugs that match the correct plug configuration and are two to three heat ranges colder than were used in the naturally aspirated engine. The use of 91 octane fuel (minimum) is required with the use of this E-Force supercharger kit (in typical engines; high compression ratio/strip applications will require higher octane fuel). The increased cylinder pressures created as a result of supercharging can lead to detonation (pinging), if lower grade fuel is used. Also, using exhaust headers and a dual exhaust system with free-flowing mufflers is highly recommended.

IMPORTANT NOTE

CAUTION: THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE SUPERCHARGER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TOP PLATE ARE PRE-INSTALLED AND HAVE HAD A THREAD LOCKING COMPOUND APPLIED.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE THE SUPERCHARGER FROM THE TOP PLATE!

REMOVING THESE BOLTS AND REINSTALLING THEM CAN RESULT IN THE BOLTS COMING LOOSE DURING ENGINE OPERATION AND POTENTIALLY FALLING INTO AN INTAKE PORT, CAUSING SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE!

SUPERCHARGER TO TOP PLATE BOLTS. DO NOT REMOVE!

Brochure #63-1551Page 3

Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger Kits Rev. 3/09 - AJ/mc

ADDITIONAL PARTS AND TOOLS

KIT CONTENTS

FOR STANDARD V-BELT DRIVE ACCESSORIES

❑ 1 Supercharger/Manifold Top Plate Assembly ❑ 1 Supercharger Intake Manifold ❑ 1 Supercharger Snout Support/Idler Pulley Bracket ❑ 1 Alternator Support Bracket ❑ 1 Idler Pulley ❑ 1 Idler Pulley Spacer ❑ 1 Idler Pulley Nut ❑ 1 Crankshaft Supercharger Drive Pulley ❑ 3 Crankshaft Pulley Shim ❑ 1 7/16-20 x 2.75” Long, 1.50” Shoulder Bolt (Crankshaft Balancer) ❑ 3 3/8-24 x 3.75” Long, 2.625” Shoulder Bolt (Crankshaft Pulley) ❑ 3 3/8-16 x 4” Long, 2.75” Shoulder Bolt (Idler Pulley and Bracket) ❑ 10 3/8-16 x 1.25” Long Bolt (Intake Manifold)