Supercharging & E85: Rebirthing a Junkyard 5.3L Vortec
Wondering how to make the most of that Vortec in your build? See what a Magnusson blower and some alcohol can do.
When it comes to dropping in an LS into your Corvette, Firebird or Mustang build, there are so many options to consider. If you’ve got the cash, then any crate engine could be the one. If you’re on a budget, though, or would rather save some money for things like body work and nice seats, the junkyard could hold a few treasures, like the revered 5.3-liter Vortec V8.
Though the Vortec originally powered the biggest trucks and SUVs in GM’s portfolio back in the day, it’s a popular choice for builders today who are looking for a stout V8 willing take take all the power. The staff at Truck Trend has such a big V8 right now, already making good power. However, as we all know, it’s never enough. Thus, a little magic was in order to truly awaken the beast.
The first part of this Vortec-fueled recipe comes straight from Magnusson Superchargers, in the form of superchargers built specifically for the 5.3-liter V8. Truck Trend opted for Magnusson 122 unit made for carbureted builds, plus a different cam to make the most of the forced induction to come. Their engine already made 460 horses before the supercharger install. However, more power was in the offing from the second ingredient: alcohol.
Here in California, the best we can do as far as octane from the pump is 91. To get the most bang out of our engines, we could mix in some race gas or octane booster to, well, boost the octane. Truck Trend, however, came up with another idea: E85. With a little ethanol in the tank, the staff boosted the octane rating to 105. With the supercharger in play, plus a new carb made for E85. the Vortec 5.3 cranked out 625 horsepower and 592 lb-ft of torque on the dyno.
The secret? Ethanol cools the air going into the carb before hitting the engine. As well all know, the cooler the air, the more power to be had. Guess it pays to be green, after all.
Photos: Truck Trend, The Dallas Morning News
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