I'm going to start a little photo journal of this installation. This is the first time we have applied the supercooler design to this engine.

The regular Vortech kit for this engine boosts power from 415 to 570 HP using a reprogrammed ECU and the stock fuel injectors and fuel system. The Vortech intercooler is about 220 in3 and the regular kit is a nice package for a stock engine.

Since the engines we are working on already make 500 HP with HP500EFI cams, a little headwork and CMI E-tops, we are aiming a lot higher. The Rtech kit uses the same Vortech blower and many of the supporting components, but the intercooler is 400 in3 and countercurrent design.

This first shot shows the CMIs and the shortened Merc throttle body studs that will hold the intercooler in place. You can also see the blue adjustable fuel pressure regulator peeking out from under the intake manifold. This is an Arizona Speed & Marine piece. AZS&M will be providing all the parts and technical support for the new fuel system and ECU programming.

The oil supply is teed in at the pressure sender and delivered through a stainless braided line. There are three options for the oil drain; through the fitting in the Merc pan, through a fitting installed in the front corner of the valve cover, or through a hole punched into the oil pan. We chose the easiest one.

You remove the power steering pump, alternator and stock crank pulley to make room for this cast aluminum bracket and machined aluminum crank pulley with blower pulley. Then the pump and alternator are relocated lower. This requires shorter belts which are not included so that's as far as we got today. Once the new belts are in place and all bolts tightened we can proceed to the supercharger installation.

You can also see the new polished SS coolant pipe running up between things. Also note that the stock mechanical fuel pump is removed, as is the VST electric pump/tank system.

The new v belts are shorter than the stock ones. You need AC Delco 15525 for the power steering and 15430 for the alternator. There isn't much adjustment for the alternator belt, so you have to remove the pivot bolt for the alternator, slip the belt over the pulley and coax the pivot bolt back into place. As the belt stretches with time you will use up the small amount of adjustment to tighten it.

Once all the bolts and belts are tight on the accessories, the blower mounting plate and blower are installed. Oil supply and drain lines are hooked up. Then a smaller blower support plate is installed to make the assembly more rigid to resist bending due to blower belt tension.

The belt tensioner is actually a Ford part. You have to install the proper idler and then install the assembly on the blower mounting plate. Finally you install the correct length of belt.

A 120 thermostat is included in the kit. It is easy to install at the beginning. Since it was at the bottom of the box, I had to undo some work with the coolant tube to install it.

The side view shows the PCV line leading into the air filter assembly. The 90 degree brass fitting has to be massaged on the bench grinder to clear the supercharger housing.

Since the VST is too restrictive for the HP we are aiming for, we need to add a fuel cooler. When you have an electric fuel pump capable of 1000 HP serving an engine at idle, a lot of fuel is recirculating through the pump. If you don't cool it, it will get hotter and hotter until vapour lock sets in.

There is a great location for this fuel cooler on this engine, where the stock coolant hose enters the oil cooler at the back of the engine. A very simple bracket holds it in place using one of the bellhousing bolts.

Looks good tom lets see the Box!

Patience, patience. We have a lot to do before bolting on the "Box". Finish plumbing the fuel system, modifications to install the larger 50 lb/hr injectors, intercooler plumbing, oil filter relocation, wiring harness, reprogrammed ECU etc. The intercooler assembly is being polished right now, and I don't get the new custom made Rtech cores until next week. Thanks for posting though; I didn't think anyone was listening to me rambling on.

We're listening tomcat, watching and waiting patiently for the results.
LOOKing good!

Definitely watching and listening. I may need something to put on my 502 to keep up with HP Junkie

oh yea were listening and watching