As impressive as the new 2010 Camaro is, there are few who would argue it doesn't need a bit more power. OK, a lot more power. Now in its fifth generation, the Camaro has become more refined, more sophisticated, and unfortunately, substantially heavier. We're not talking "had two kids and gave up on trying" heavier but, maybe just "I am older now and I can be comfortable in my own skin" heavier. Even though GM gave it a new heart, capable of making mid-300 rear-wheel horsepower in stock form, the new Camaro is basically as fast as the old ones, which to some is a bit of a letdown.
Of course, the General can only give us so much, while the aftermarket must do the rest. Enter Magnuson and the new Eaton Twin Vortices Series supercharger, otherwise known as the TVS2300. A completely redesigned supercharger, which features twin four-lobe rotors, twisted 160-degrees. According to Eaton, the TVS design is more efficient than the older units, while also offering less noise and vibration. All we know is it bolts on with ease, offers more than enough power for a stock motor, and boasts a fit and finish that rivals OEM quality. Before we started, we were looking for a nice gain in low-rpm torque and horsepower, with virtually no lag. Since the Camaro is heavy, this gain down low will make it much more fun to drive and keep all but the mightiest of Mustangs at bay.
With our goals in mind, we turned to Mike Norris of Norris Motorsports in Winter Garden, Florida, to follow along as he installed a Magnuson TVS2300 onto a brand-new 2010 Camaro. The end results were incredible, picking up over a 130 rwhp and 115 lb-ft of torque, all while keeping near stock driveability, a clean underhood appearance, and an otherwise stock drivetrain. Stick around to see how it was done.
Our test Camaro was delivered...
Our test Camaro was delivered basically brand new, with just 1,300 miles on the odometer. Before we did anything, Mike Norris strapped it on the dyno for a baseline. Right off of a three-hour drive, it made 367.5 rwhp and 369.4 lb-ft of torque.
Besides the first testdrive...
Besides the first testdrive and inspection, this may have been the only time the hood has been up on this Camaro. It appears to be much more user-friendly than previous models, to say the least.
Our weapon of choice: the...
Our weapon of choice: the TVS2300 supercharger. Magnuson has done a great job pre-assembling most of the system, and you can see all of the pulleys, fuel injectors, and rails were already installed, right out of the box.
Prior to getting started on...
Prior to getting started on the car, Mike Norris spent a moment prepping the supercharger assembly. Magnuson supplied a nice fuel rail adapter, which needed to be installed after shipping, to ensure that it didn't snap off in transit (think Ace Ventura).
Check out the Magnuson-supplied...
Check out the Magnuson-supplied gaskets with integrated holding tabs. This takes all the hassle out of trying to line up the gasket while holding the heavy blower and really shows how well-engineered this entire kit is.
Mike went ahead and drained...
Mike went ahead and drained the coolant, downloaded the stock tune file, and disconnected the battery before getting into the meat of the matter.