This manual provides information on the installation, maintenance and
service of the Vortech supercharger kit expressly designed for this vehicle.
All information, illustrations and specifications contained herein are based
on the latest product information available at the time of this publication.
Take note of the following before proceeding:
1. Proper installation of this supercharger kit requires general automotive mechanic knowledge and experience.
Please browse through each step of this instruction manual prior to beginning the installation to determine if
you should refer the job to a professional installer/technician. Please contact your dealer or Vortech
Engineering for possible installers in your area.
2. This product was designed for use on stock (un-modified, OEM) vehicles. The PCM (computer), engine, trans-
mission, drive axle ratios and tire O.D. must be stock. If the vehicle or engine has been modified in any way,
check with Vortech prior to installation and use of this product.
3. Use only premium grade fuel with a minimum of 91 octane (R+M/2).
4. Always listen for any sign of detonation (knocking/pinging) and discontinue hard use (no boost) until the
problem is resolved.
5. Vortech is not responsible for any clutch, transmission, drive-line or engine damage.
Exclusions from Vortech warranty coverage considerations include, but not limited to:
Changes to the manual may be made at any time without notice. Contact
Vortech Engineering for any additional information regarding this kit and
any of these modifications at (805) 247-0226 7am-3:30pm PST.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................................iii
TOOL & SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................... v
PARTS LIST, 4TF218-014L & 4TF218-114L ................................................................................................ vi
10. AIR INLET INSTALLATION ..................................................................................................................... 36
11. FINAL CHECK ...............................................................................................................................................39
This is an interactive Adobe PDF. Clicking on the table of contents takes you to your
desired page. All photos or drawings contained within link to higher resolution versions
found on our server. You will be told you are being directed to an outside source.
iii
COPYRIGHT 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.
Congratulations on selecting the best performing and best backed automotive supercharger
available today... the VORTECH® Supercharger!
Before beginning this installation, please read through this entire instruction booklet and the Street Supercharger System Owner's Manual which includes the
Automotive Limited Warranties Program and the Warranty Registration form.
Vortech supercharger systems are performance improving devices. In most cases, increases in torque of 30-35% and horsepower of 35-45% can be expected with
the boost levels specified by Vortech Engineering. This product is intended for use on healthy, well maintained engines. Installation on a worn-out or damaged
engine is not recommended and may result in failure of the engine as well as the supercharger. 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 note of the following key points:
1. Use only premium grade fuel 91 octane or higher (R+M/2).
2. The engine must have stock compression ratio.
3. If the engine has been modified in any way, check with Vortech prior to using this product.
4. Always listen for any sign of detonation (pinging) and discontinue hard use (no boost) until problem is resolved.
5. Perform an oil and filter change upon completion of this installation and prior to test driving your vehicle. Thereafter, always use a manufacture-rated, high
grade engine oil or a high quality synthetic, and change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles or less. Never attempt to extend the oil change interval beyond
3,000 miles, regardless of oil manufacturer's claims as potential damage to the supercharger may result.
6. Before beginning installation, replace all spark plugs that are older than 1 year or 30,000 miles with original heat range plugs as specified by the
manufacturer and reset timing to factory specifications (follow the procedures indicated within the factory repair manual and/or as indicated on the factory
underhood emissions tag). Do not use platinum spark plugs unless they are original equipment. Change spark plugs every at least 30,000 miles and spark
plug wires at least every 50,000 miles.
TOOL & SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
• Factory Repair Manual
• 3/8" Socket and Drive Set: SAE & Metric
• Adjustable Wrench
• Open End Wrenches: SAE & Metric
• Flat #2 Screwdriver
• Phillips #2 Screwdriver
• Drill Motor
• 1/4" Drill Bit
• Tin snips or light-duty grinder
• Wire Strippers and Crimpers
• Utility Knife
• Soldering gun and solde
If your vehicle has in excess of 30,000 miles since its last spark plug change, then you will also need:
(COMPLETE KITS ONLY. TUNER KITS SKIP AHEAD TO STEP 2)
NOTE: Prior to attempting to install any portion
of the supercharger system and re-flash
the ECU, it is important to confirm that
your vehicles’ ECU is supported by the
EcuTek components included in your kit
and to get any available updates. This will
require that you have a computer with an
internet connection so that you can
download and install the free EcuTek
software. A laptop is suggested, as you will
need to connect the computer to the
vehicles’ OBD2 port using the supplied
cable after the downloads have completed.
Please read through and understand this
step COMPLETELY before proceeding with
anything related to the installation.
A. Visit the EcuTek Website: www.ecutek.
com. Click on the [Downloads] tab. See
arrow in Fig 1A.
necessary software and drivers. It is
recommended to use the default settings.
If you have Adobe Reader installed, you
can uncheck this part of the installation.
Select [Next] to continue. See Fig 1D.
E. It is recommended that you agree with
Windows security warnings if they appear
as shown below. Select [Install] to
continue. See Fig 1E.
now complete”. Select [Finish] to complete
the process. See Fig. 1I.
J. After selecting [Finish], you will be
prompted by a new window. Make note of
the Dongle ID and the Registration Code
shown on your screen. Keep this
information safe, for future reference.
See Fig. 1J.
K. Select [Download Now!]. You will see a new window appear
that will show progress and details of what is being
downloaded. This can take a few minutes, so please be
patient. See Fig. 1K.
L. When the download has completed, you will be prompted
with a new window.
M. Select [OK] to continue. Installation of the EcuTek ProECU
software is now complete. See Fig. 1L
ECU re-flash:
NOTE: Programming an ECU is the process of taking a ROM file
and placing it into permanent storage inside the ECU. It is
highly recommended that all non-essential vehicle devices
are switched off before attempting to program an ECU. This
helps to minimize electrical interference to vehicle systems
that may conflict with communication between the EcuTek
components and the ECU. For devices within the car, this
includes: headlights, interior lights, A/C, HVAC fan and any
other powered devices.
Fig. 1K
N. Confirm that your laptop computer is booted up and the
EcuTek ProECU application is running. The laptop must be
plugged into a power source. Do not rely on the laptop
battery power.
O. Insert the supplied USB flash drive inth the laptop computer.
Copy and save the file located on the flash drive onto your
computer in the following folder location:
C:\EcuTek\ProECURomFiles\Subaru\BRZ
P. Plug the EcuTek OBD2 vehicle interface cable into the
vehicles OBD2 diagnostic socket. The socket is located
beneath the lower section of the dashboard just above the
drivers throttle pedal.
Q. Connect the other end of the EcuTek vehicle interface cable
to a USB port on the laptop computer.
R. ‘Key-On’ the vehicle ignition. DO NOT START the engine.
S. In the ProECU software menu bar (at the top of the window):
Select ‘Tools’, then > ‘Detect Vehicle’. A new window will appear
with ‘Program Engine ECU’ highlighted. Select [OK].
T. Select [Program ECU] in the following window. It will take a few
minutes for this process to complete. After programming the
ECU, follow the on-screen instructions to cycle the ignition ON,
OFF etc. It is important that this is done in sequence with the
appropriate time delays as directed.
U. The message ‘Programming Sequence completed’ should appear.
Select [Ok]. The re-flash step is now complete.
NOTE:
It is possible that you will come across an ECU version that
EcuTek has not seen. It will not be possible for you to program
this ECU until EcuTek has been supplied with certain information
about the specific ECU. The ‘Dump Details for EcuTek’ button
saves certain information from this ECU. The information is stored
in a file that will be saved into the ‘C:\EcuTek\RomDumps’ folder.
The name of the file will be displayed as it is saved.
This information should be sent to EcuTek using the Website
Form, together with a clear photograph of the ECU label and
details of the type of car (please include Model Year and Manual
or Auto gearbox) from which the ECU originates. EcuTek will then
supply an updated version of ProECU that will be capable of
programming the ECU. You will then need to send the new file
received from EcuTek over to Vortech with your Dongle ID and
License Key to have the revised calibration completed.
Please note that it is not something that can be done while-you-
wait. Turnaround time is likely to be 3 to 7 days for support of a
new ECU. It is therefore important for the tuner to check that the
ECU version is supported well before the car is scheduled to be
reprogrammed – this will avoid a panic situation for all parties
involved.
Please note that it is not possible to open ROM Dumps in ProECU
B. Raise hood and use appropriate fender covers for paint
protection.
C. Unpack the new accessory drive belt to let the “bends” relax. This
is best done in a warm room rather than a cold shop.
D. Locate the hose coming from the firewall that leads to the air filter
resonator system and disconnect at the first 90° fitting near the
firewall. Cap fitting with supplied 5/8” cap. See Fig. 2A.
E. Disconnect the opposite end at the resonator. Remove the entire
assembly from the vehicle, as it will no longer be used.
F. Disconnect the crankcase breather hose from the 90° plastic
fitting in the rubber air inlet duct.
G. Unplug the Mass Air Flow (MAF) connector from the MAF sensor
located on the air filter lid. Disconnect the rubber inlet duct from
the throttle and remove it with the air filter lid and set aside.
Unfasten the air filter box at the three mounts and remove.
Remove and save the rubber cushion mount assemblies and
hardware for reinstallation in a later step. The duct and other air
filter box components will not be reused.
Fig. 2A
H. Remove the plastic belt covers from both the alternator and the
A/C compressor. Set aside covers and mounting hardware for
re-installation in a future step.
I. De-tension the belt tensioner and remove the accessory drive belt.
The belt will not be used with the supercharger system.