ProCharger Turns Billet Into Boost For The C8 Convertible

ProCharger Turns Billet Into Boost For The C8 Convertible

The company that gave enthusiasts the first fully bolt-on and calibrated supercharger system for the C8 Corvette is back with something new that is sure to have the industry buzzing once again. With its supercharger system for the C8 Corvette Coupe, ProCharger created the world’s quickest supercharged C8, running a 10.1-second quarter mile at 139 miles per hour, as well as the highest horsepower supercharged C8, producing a whopping 881 wheel-horsepower. Now, ProCharger is excited to release its newly redesigned Stage II system specifically for the C8 Hard Top Convertible (HTC).

The C8 Corvette Hard Top Convertible posed additional packaging challenges that required a complete redesign of the Stage II C8 system.

Normally there wouldn’t be much need for a complete redesign of a system developed for a coupe to fit on a convertible. However, because the folding hard top of the HTC takes the already space-limited engine bay of the C8 and makes it uber-cramped, the ProCharger engineers needed to go back to the drawing board. The issues that needed to be resolved were head unit location, drive system, and intake manifold. What they came up with is a package of automotive eye candy that matches the performance of the ProCharger C8 coupe system.

ProCharger C8 Convertible

The milled all-billet intake manifold houses a new high-efficiency dual-pass intercooler. We love the look of raw aluminum and ProCharger informed us that production units can be ordered as you see here or in a black finish.

The first thing that will catch your eye is the all-new fully-billet intake manifold. This piece of milled billet jewelry not only safely fits under the convertible’s factory engine cover, but it also features a high-efficiency dual-pass air-to-water-intercooler to keep the intake air temperatures in check. Procharger also redesigned the intercooler system’s water circuit to be self-bleeding to help ensure there are no air pockets in the system. Speaking from personal experience, this is a welcomed redesign for installers that should help shorten install times. Additionally, the engineers routed all of the hoses to tuck them out of the way, making for a very neat and tidy engine bay. The redesigned drive system features a cogged belt setup and has been proven to be 1,000 horsepower capable, making it more than strong enough to give you thousands of worry-free miles.

ProCharger C8 Convertible

The cogged belt drive system on the Stage II C8 HTC system looks as good as the billet intake manifold, and it’s plenty capable of handling everything this ProCharger system can throw at it.

The ProCharger Stage II system for the C8 HTC produces Z06-smashing 725-plus horsepower on 7.5 pounds of boost, just like the coupe system. Also like the coupe, this C8 HTC system utilizes the same proprietary PCM calibration that has been tested in 126-degree heat during the summer in Death Valley to -4-degrees during Midwest winters. ProCharger’s PCM calibration runs flawlessly in the Stage II system providing drivability characteristics akin to the stock C8 when you’re not laying into the throttle.

As you can see, the horsepower and torque curves a broad and smooth. Not to mention this system produces almost as much horsepower at the wheels as the C8 Z06 makes at the crankshaft.

The exclusive calibration allows for user selection of displacement on demand, full control of fan systems in relation to intercooler temperatures, and full diagnostic support for modified and/or added sensors. Additionally, ProCharger is currently beta testing a user variable launch rpm control that will hopefully make its way into the calibration as a standard feature.

All ProCharger systems endure extensive testing before being released to customers. This C8 HTC no doubt spent a lot of time strapped to ProCharger’s in-house chassis dyno.

The ProCharger C8 Convertible system is completely bolt-on and can be installed with hand tools. There is no need to remove the engine or trans. Even with the relocation of the head unit and the redesign of the drive system, the factory engine cover and panels still fit as they should. You can even fit a bag of golf clubs in the trunk area and make it to the course in record time with over 725 horsepower at your foot.

Everything is a tight fit in the engine bay of a C8, but ProCharger has pulled off an excellent package design that retains the use of the factory covers and panels as well as the trunk space.

For the enthusiast who wants to drive with the top down but wants more than 725 horsepower, ProCharger has the C8 HTC Tuner Kits. This package is for cars running E85, methanol injection systems, or internal engine modifications like aftermarket camshafts and/or rod and piston upgrades. These kits do not include ProCharger’s proprietary PCM calibration, however, with this kit and proper tuning 900-plus horsepower is possible.

If the popularity of the ProCharger Stage II system for the C8 coupe is any indication, expect this new Stage II system for the C8 convertible to fly off the shelves and into the hands of horsepower-hungry Corvette owners. Contact your ProCharger dealer for additional information and to order yours.

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About the author

Jeremy Nichols

Jeremy loves to go fast, whether that's on two wheels, four wheels, or boating. With a willingness to compete at almost anything, Jeremy shoots competition long-range rifles matches and races road bicycles and enjoys building vehicles for people.
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