Included in this kit is a smaller than originally supplied supercharger pulley. This new pulley
is recommended to achieve the best performance results. Removal of the factory sealed pulley
will void the supercharger warranty unless the supercharger unit (with the original pulley still
attached) and new pulley are sent into Vortech for removal, installation and re-sealing. If
the supercharger warranty is not an issue, the pulley may simply be removed and replaced with
the new part supplied. Hammering/prying etc. on the supercharger and/or pulley will cause
damage to the parts. Light heating of the supercharger pulley with a propane torch (if the
pulley is tight on the shaft) will aid removal. A return authorization number is required before
the supercharger and pulley are sent into Vortech. Call the Vortech service department at
(805) 247-0226 for a return authorization number. Return freight (ground) will be paid by Vortech.
NOTICE
This product is protected by state common law, copyright and/or patent.
All legal rights therein are reserved. The design, layout, dimensions,
geometry, and engineering features shown in this product are the
exclusive property of Vortech Engineering, Inc. This product may not
be copied or duplicated in whole or part, abstractly or fundamentally,
intentionally or fortuitously, nor shall any design, dimension, or other
information be incorporated into any product or apparatus without
prior written consent of Vortech Engineering, Inc.
Vortech Engineering, Inc. • 1650 Pacific Avenue • Channel Islands, CA 93033-9901
Congratulations on selecting the best performing and most
efficient aftercooler today... the Vortech ® Maxflow Power Cooler!
Before beginning this installation,
please read through this entire instruction booklet
The Vortech Maxflow Power Cooler system was designed as a street/strip oriented aftercooler,
specifically for use on 1996 - 1998 Ford 4.6 Mustang vehicles equipped with a Vortech supercharger
producing up to approximately 580 horsepower.
As with any power enhancing product, this system is intended for use on healthy, well-maintained
engines. Vortech Engineering is not responsible for engine damage. Installation on new vehicles
will not harm or adversely affect the break-in period so long as factory break-in procedures are
followed.
For best performance and continued durability, please take a note of the following key points:
1. Use only premium grade fuel 92 octane or higher (R+M/2).
2. Always listen for any sign of detonation (pinging) and discontinue hard use (no boost) until
problem is resolved.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the vehicle still has the battery located in the factory position, it must be
relocated into the trunk to make room for the water tank assembly. Vortech part number
8N150-010 is a Heavy-Duty Battery Relocation Kit that may be purchased separately. Commonly
available “universal” relocation kits may be used but they will most likely contain a smaller cable.
Additional fabrication may also be necessary when using a “universal” kit.
Vortech Forecepower parts carry a ninety (90) Day LIMITED WARRANTY from the date of purchase
from your dealer or Vortech. The part(s) must be used in the manner intended by Vortech. Any
component found to be defective in either material or workmanship, will be replaced or repaired at
our option, at no charge to the customer. This warranty does not included any part that is used for
racing. This warranty is nontransferable and is extended to original purchasers residing withinthe United States or Canada only. The warranty excludes hoses and sleeves, as well as all electronic
support components manufactured by any other company.
Vortech Engineering, Inc. agrees to honor any warranty claim at its sole discretion and only afterinspection by Vortech engineers at the Vortech factory. No warranty will be honored if any
Forcepower part being submitted for inspection is found to have been tampered with, improperly
installed, or mishandled in any way. Claims for freight damage must be held against the freight
company. NOTE: THE DURATION OF ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES ON FORCEPOWER PARTS ARE
LIMITED TO THE NINETY (90) DAY DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY. IN NO EVENT WILL
VORTECH BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
If you require any additional details regarding Vortech warranties, please call at (805) 247-0226,
M - F, 8:00-4:30 Pacific Standard Time.
WARRANTY/REPAIR PROCEDURE
If the product should fail within the ninety (90) day warranty period as outlined above, follow the procedures below:
1.Phone Vortech directly (805) 247-0226 and be prepared with the following information:
A. Copy of the invoice on which the part was purchased.
B. Year, make, model, vehicle mileage and engine specifications of vehicle on which the part is installed.
C. Description of perceived problem.
D. Mileage on Voretch product(s) - if applicable.
2.Once the information is given to Vortech as outlined in Warranty/Repair Procedure item 1 above, Vortech will either:
A. Issue you a RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER, or
B. Offer suggestions to aid you in additional troubleshooting.
NO RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER APPEARING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE RETURN CARTON.
3.Once you are assigned a RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER, you must box and carefully “safety package” the Vortech product(s) being returned. “Safety package”
means to pack each product within the box in such a way so that it will not hit other product(s) components, or the side of the box during shipping. The box must be
strong enough to easily hold the weight of the product(s) plus the packaging and sturdy enough to maintain its shape during shipping.
CLEARLY MARK THE RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER IN 2” HIGH ALPHANUMERIC CHARACTERS IN TWO LOCATIONS ON THE BOX WITH A BOLD BLACK MARKER.
4.Include in the box the following six (6) items:
A. A copy of the original invoice or receipt.
B. Your name, address and daytime phone number.
C. A description of the year, make, model, vehicle mileage and specification of the engine (noting ALL modification in detail, if applicable).
D. A description of the perceived problem or defect.
E. The RETURN AUTHORIZATION NUMBER.
F. The address to which the product is to be returned after inspection by Vortech.
5.Ship the properly safety packaged and marked box by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS),
inspection, to the Vortech factory at:
Channel Islands, CA 93033-9901
6.If Vortech’s limited warranty applies, your product(s) will be repaired or replaced at Vortech’s option and returned to you freight prepaid, via UPS ground service. If
the limited warranty does not apply, we will advise you of the specific reason for denial and tell you the costs involved in repairing your product(s). After relating such
information we will, at your option, either proceed with repairs as quoted or return your product(s) to you in the condition they are in at the time of inspection for
warranty evaluation via UPS COD insured for the new retail replacement value. This means that you must pay any disassembly and/or inspection charges, return
shipping and insurance charges if the Vortech limited warranty does not apply.
NINETY (90) DAY LIMITED WARRANTY
prepaid and insured for the retail value of the product(s) being returned for
screws and retaining plates that hold the
compressor housing to the gearcase.
B. Carefully rotate the supercharger volute to the
specified location as shown.
NOTE: Boss on volute should line up with oil
feed fitting.
C. Install the two (2) single bolt retainers in the
locations shown.
NOTE: If the compressor housing does not
rotate freely relative to the gearcase, DO NOT
FORCE IT. SERIOUS SUPERCHARGER
DAMAGE MAY OCCUR. The machined mating
surfaces are designed to prevent pressurized
air from escaping and have minimal
tolerances. If the housing will not move or
is very tight, contact Vortech Engineering
immediately at (805) 247-0226 and ask for
our service department for further assistance.
Modified Clocking
D. Evenly retighten the four (4) cap screws, torque
to 60 in/lbs (5ft/lbs).
E. Remove original 3.60” supercharger pulley
from the supercharger and install the supplied
3.25” pulley.
NOTE: Included in this kit is a smaller than
originally supplied supercharger pulley. This
new pulley is recommended to achieve best
performance results. Removal of the factory
sealed pulley will void the supercharger
warranty unless the supercharger unit (with
the original pulley still attached) and new
pulley are sent into Vortech for removal,
installation and re-sealing. If supercharger
warranty is not an issue, the pulley may simply
be removed and replaced with the new part
supplied. Hammering/prying etc. on the
supercharger and/or pulley will cause damage
to the parts. Light heating of the supercharger
pulley with a propane torch (if the pulley is
tight on the shaft) will aid removal. A return
authorization number is required before the
supercharger and pulley are sent into Vortech.
Call the Vortech service department at (805)
247-0226 for a return authorization number.
Return freight (ground) will be paid by Vortech.
A. Install the bypass valve onto the 1” cooler inlet
barb using the original hose. Secure the
assembly to the aftercooler.
B. Remove the silicone sleeves and clamps from
the original discharge tube.
C. Install the 2-3/4” diameter silicone sleeve
onto the supercharger outlet and slide the
sleeve back as far as possible, leaving the two
#44 hose clamps loose.
D. Slide the supplied 3-3/4” diameter silicone
sleeve and #60 hose clamp onto the aftercooler
outlet. Leave the two #60 hose clamps loose.
E. Reinstall the original 4-1/2” sleeve onto the
throttle body leaving the two #72 hose clamps
loose.
Photo - 1
F.With cooler into position, slide the silicone
sleeve and clamps from the supercharger
outlet onto the aftercooler inlet and secure.
G. Install the discharge tube between aftercooler
and throttle body and secure sleeves and
clamps (see photo - 1).
H. Reconnect the bypass valve outlet to the 90°
plastic elbow on the air inlet and secure with
the original hose clamps. A small amount of
trimming to the 1” hose may be necessary to
ensure proper fit.
to sit flush with bottom of tray and reinstall
(see photo - 3).
B. Place the water tank in the tray previously
occupied by the battery and secure using the
original battery hold down (see photo - 4).
C. Cut a piece of the 3/4” hose 50 in. length and
attach to the 3/4” 90° fitting (located at the
lower rear of the water tank). Route downward
and toward the front of the car. (See schematic
on the next page.)
D. Cut a piece of the 3/4” hose 98” in length and
attach it to the water return fitting on the tank.
Route the hose downward and secure with the
supplied adel clamps and #12 hardware to the
bottom of the radiator core support. Connect
the hose to the outlet fitting on the aftercooler
routing it up and through the passenger side
headlight well (see photo - 5 and 6).
brackets to the cooler using the supplied 1/4"
hardware (see photo - 7). Following the photo,
position the cooler on the core support as far
towards the passenger side as possible. Using
the mounted cooler brackets as a guide, mark
the position on the lower radiator core support
where the bracket mounting holes must be
drilled (see photo - 5). Drill the four mounting
holes and attach the cooler assembly to the
core support with #12 hardware.
C. Notch the air dam to allow clearance for the
cooler mounting brackets and reinstall.
Photo - 7
D. Route the previously attached 50" section of
hose extending downward from the lower 90°
fitting on the water tank to the inlet of the water
pump. Secure hose with nylon ratchet clamps.
E. Secure the hoses to the chassis with provided
tie wraps.
NOTE: Hoses must not be kinked or restricted.
Route away from moving parts and direct
engine heat.
F.Cut a piece of the 3/4" hose 42" in length and
attach to the outlet fitting of the water cooler.
Connect hose to the inlet fitting on the
aftercooler. The line should run parallel with
the return line. Trim the ends appropriately
and secure both with nylon ratchet clamps.
G. Following photo 8 and 9, attach the 90° hose
bend to the water cooler inlet. Slide the water
pump bracket onto the water pump and position
outlet of pump in line with the 90° hose bend.
Using the bracket as a guide mark and drill
holes in core support and attach with the
supplied hardware. Trim the 90° hose if
necessary, and secure with nylon ratchet
clamps.
A. Connect the wiring harness to the water pump.
Attach a 16 GA eyelet to the brown wire
(negative) and route to a clean ground free
from paint and vehicle undercoating. A cooler
mounting tab works well for this.
B. Route the red wire from the water pump through
the firewall to the fuse panel. Connect to fuse
#18 using the supplied fuse tap, fuse and fuse
holder (make sure that the supplied secondary
fuse is spliced into the power wire). Secure
the red wire to the chassis using the provided
tie wraps. Connect the red wire using a solderless connector to the black wire with yellow
stripe (positive) on the wiring harness of the
water pump.
NOTE: Do not attach the red wire to the power
until the water tank is full of water, running
the water pump without water will lead to
premature failure and void your warranty.
Photo - 9
C. Fill the water tank with 25% antifreeze and 75%
water to approximately 3" from the top. Do notfill past the water return fitting (Doing so will
not allow system to purge itself of air).
D. Turn the ignition key to the “ON” position and
check that the water is flowing through the
system. Once water is flowing, allow to run
for approximately 1 (one) minute. This will
allow any trapped air to be purged from the
system. Once all the air is removed, fill the
tank to one inch below the filler ring.
NOTE: In some cases, the water pump must
be primed on initial start-up. This may be
accomplished by turning on the pump,
removing the RETURN line from the tank and
providing light suction on the hose to remove
the air in the system.
E. The FMU will have to be moved forward (toward
the air inlet) if it comes in contact with the
aftercooler (see photo - 9).