[JimGnitecki]

My wife and I (at her suggestion and urging! ) bought, and accepted delivery from inventory, a brand new 2022 LT1 with the 10L80 transmission a few days ago. Then, again at her urging (!), we had the best performance shop in our area reserve a TVS2650R Magnum LT1 Camaro Supercharger System for us, which they will install on September 27.

Since we are retired, and my Testosterone level has subsided, and the car will never be tracked, our objective with this car is NOT “how much power can it possibly make”. Instead, it is the fantastic torque at moderate rpm on the street that attracts us. We like responsive vehicles

I have had supercharger kits added to 2 previous vehicles.

A good pro mechanic buddy did the install of a Magnuson kit on my 2003 Chevy SSR in 2005 while I assisted. We loaded the tune that came with the kit and it performed flawlessly for the 3 years I owned it before selling it. I was impressed, because the 2003 SSR came only with a Chevy LM4 V8, which was basically a truck engine with cast pistons and crank and mediocre heads (only 300 hp stock), and that Magnuson supercharger kit transformed it into a torquey hotrod engine with total reliability, and in fact the SSR was my daily driver for a couple of years.

The only problem I had the whole time I owned the SSR was that the kit produced more power than even a “built” transmission from Phoenix Transmissions in Fort Worth could handle, given the SSR’s massive weight (5000 lb with driver and fuel). When that transmission started slipping after a few months, Phoenix graciously rebuilt it at no charge with even tougher internals, and the truck ran flawlessly til I sold it.

My second supercharger project was having a local shop, where we lived at the time, install a Roush supercharger kit into a brand new 2008 Mustang GT. Since the Mustang had the manual transmission, that setup too was very reliable as my daily driver.

So, both of my supercharger experiences have been very satisfying.

I have read everything I could find on this forum about supercharging an LT1, and have taken basic precautions:

The install will be done by Davenport Motorsports in Calgary, AB, Canada. Davenport has a sterling reputation for both competence and customer service that extends well beyond our province

- Davenport has done MANY Magnuson installations

Davenport is also the Canadian distributor for Magnuson, so I figure they probably know more about the supercharger kit than anyone else in Canada

- Davenport has a dyno, is known for their tuning, and so I know that they can test the finished installation and recognize any issues should any occur

Davenport proactively suggested that given my objectives, they will keep the tune provided for our car by Magnuson absolutely unaltered. This should minimize the chances for any issues, and Davenport says that while a Chevy dealer won’t warrant against any damage due to the supercharger, Magnuson will warranty it as long as we don’t deviate from the tune.

Having taken those precautions, I still have some concerns.

The first is: Will the OEM differential be fin with the Magnuson without any special attention, or will it be prudent to change the fluid more often than the maintenance schedule suggests? And perhaps a fluid change after only a few hundred miles to clear out any break-in debris?

The second concern is the 10L80. First of all, it has a significantly lower torque rating than the 10L90, at 590 ft lb versus 663 ft lb. Secondly, that lower torque limit of 590 ft lb is basically just equal to the peak torque (588 ft lb) that the Magnuson kit can supposedly produce. And that assumes that GM is talking about the torque coming into the torque converter, not the amplified torque coming out of the torque converter into the tranny clutches. And, there was that tranny issue with even a “built” 4L60E on the 2003 SSR that left me feeling not great about GM transmissions.

I keep hearing that the 10L80 is a great transmission, and just fine, assuming you don’t go street racing or do a lot of tracking. And, my usage as I mentioned earlier, is going to be rather moderate, because it would be basically impossible to do anything stupid on our streets and highways given our draconian speed laws and their enthusiastic and very punitive enforcement. And, the super-short gear ratios and multitude of gears in the 10L80, tend to reduce the amount of throttle needed for the car to respond quickly. And, the Camaro is (relatively) very light in weight. But I’d like to get the thoughts of forum guys who actually have lots of experience with these kits (e.g. KingLT1)

I know everyone talks about the LT1 fueling system not having much surplus capacity, but again, given my modest usage of the power, mostly at midrange rpms, and my using the unaltered Magnuson tune, I would THINK that fueling should not be an issue. Am I correct?

I’d appreciate any feedback I can get on the above concerns.

Jim G

[laynlo15]

I'm just finished a 2300 Magnuson install on my 2022 Lt1. So far so good and this will be my 4th Magnuson. One on my 2008 Pontiac G8GT, 1 2300 on my 16 SS Camaro and then a 2650 Magnuson on the same car. Now doing another 2300 since the 2650 is on a 16 week wait unless you get lucky and find one used or a dealer who has one in stock. I've worked with Davenport when I was at Magnuson as a Technician so they are the best in Canada for sure and yes they've done many Magnuson installs. So far the A10 has done very well locked as GM wants it. We'll see this Friday how it does with the 2300. Good luck

[JimGnitecki]

Thanks, Laynio15. Yes, I think I got lucky on the 2650 availability. Davenport had 4 in inventory which were already spoken for, but had one arriving in a few days.

Jim G

[laynlo15]

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

Thanks, Laynio15. Yes, I think I got lucky on the 2650 availability. Davenport had 4 in inventory which were already spoken for, but had one arriving in a few days.

Jim G

Good deal, you'll be happy with their build as they can do it all, dyno and tune for an out the door done deal. Keep us up to date and you can check out some of my posts about my builds, which have been many.

[JimGnitecki]

Originally Posted by laynlo15

Good deal, you'll be happy with their build as they can do it all, dyno and tune for an out the door done deal. Keep us up to date and you can check out some of my posts about my builds, which have been many.

Yes, I noticed in my reading of current AND older threads how active you have been on the forum, and I really appreciate it. We ALL do better on our projects when we share our problems, solutions, and achievements along the way. I do remember the bad old days before Internet forums, when our only guidance and help resources were local guys who we fortunately somehow met, mostly by sheer luck!

Jim G

[toohighpsi]

Jim,

Can't go wrong with the 2650 and Davenport, I'm sure you'll be very happy with the finished build and I wouldn't be worried about any of the Camaro components at that power level.

[JimGnitecki]

Thanks, toohighpsi. I know you have tons of experience with this, so your assurance is very meaningful.

Jim G