The Subaru BRZ, with its lightweight chassis and low center of gravity, has captivated driving purists since its debut. Its FA20 engine, a 2.0-liter flat-four, delivers respectable 200 horsepower but leaves many owners wanting more muscle, especially after a few track days or canyon runs. The Edelbrock E-Force supercharger stands out as one of the most complete, reliable, and CARB-legal forced induction systems available for this platform. While a "budget" supercharger build might sound like an oxymoron, a carefully planned upgrade targeting around $4,500 is not only achievable but also a proven path to transforming your BRZ into a serious performance machine. This breakdown covers every dollar, from the supercharger kit itself to the critical supporting components and professional installation, ensuring you don't have any surprises halfway through the project.

The Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger: Engineering Meets Driveability

Before diving into the cost, it's important to understand exactly what you're paying for. The Edelbrock E-Force system is a positive-displacement supercharger, meaning it uses a set of rotors to compress air and force it into the engine at low RPMs. This differs from a centrifugal supercharger, which builds boost linearly and often feels more like a turbo. The E-Force's design provides immediate, linear power delivery from partial throttle, making the car feel significantly stronger in everyday driving without the violent surge of a turbocharger.

The kit is designed as a complete bolt-on solution. It includes the supercharger unit, a water-to-air intercooler core, a high-capacity heat exchanger, all necessary brackets, pulleys, belts, and a high-flow intake system. A major selling point is that Edelbrock invested heavily in the tuning and packaging. The kit includes a pre-programmed ECU flash that is CARB EO-approved (for 2013-2016 models) and does not require any permanent modifications to the car. This means you can return the car to stock condition without any evidence of the upgrade, preserving resale value and street legality in states with strict emissions testing.

From a power perspective, the Edelbrock supercharger reliably produces around 270-290 wheel horsepower on a stock FA20 with the included tune. With supporting mods and a custom tune, 300+ wheel horsepower is easily within reach. This translates to a 0-60 time in the mid-4 second range and a massive improvement in in-gear acceleration. The driving experience is completely transformed; the car feels like it came from the factory with a larger, more potent engine.

Detailed Cost Breakdown: Where the $4,500 Goes

Reaching the $4,500 target for your Edelbrock supercharger project requires smart budget allocation. The supercharger kit itself is the largest single expense, but skimping on supporting parts or installation can lead to reliability problems or poor performance. Below is a realistic, itemized budget that gets you to that magic number.

1. Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger Kit (Base)

The fundamental cost is the kit itself. Prices fluctuate based on retailer, sales, and whether you buy a new or used unit. A new kit from a reputable vendor like FT86 Speedfactory or CounterSpace Garage typically ranges from $3,000 to $3,500.

  • New Kit (Retail): $3,200 - $3,500
  • Used/Open Box Kit: $2,500 - $3,000
  • Budget Recommendation: $3,400 (allowing for a new kit with warranty)

This price includes the supercharger unit, intercooler, heat exchanger, intake, hardware, and the pre-programmed ECU tune (if applicable for your year model). If you're buying a used kit, verify that all hardware, especially the intercooler pump and heat exchanger, are in good condition.

2. Professional Installation Labor

Installing a supercharger is not a typical weekend mechanic job, especially if you value your time and sanity. The process involves removing the intake manifold, fuel injectors, and coolant lines, plus routing the intercooler system. While there are detailed guides available, a professional installation ensures the belt is tensioned correctly, the intercooler loop is properly bled, and all hoses are secure. For a BRZ, expect a labor charge between $1,000 and $1,500 from a reputable performance shop.

  • Average Shop Rate (10-12 hours): $1,200 - $1,400
  • Budget Recommendation: $1,200 (seek quotes from independent Subaru specialists)

Important: This cost usually includes the initial dyno or road tuning session to dial in the air-fuel ratio and timing. Confirm with your shop that tuning is included. If they charge separately, add another $300-$500.

3. Supporting Modifications (The 'Must-Haves')

Running an Edelbrock supercharger on a stock FA20 fuel system is possible, but to maximize power safely and reliably, you should budget for these supporting components. This is where many low-budget builds fail. Skimping here can lead to injector duty cycle issues or fuel pressure drops under high load.

  • Upgraded Fuel Injectors (e.g., DW800cc or ID850cc): $300 - $400
  • Upgraded High-Flow Fuel Pump (e.g., DW200c or AEM 340lph): $180 - $250
  • Custom ECU Tuning (if not included, e.g., Delicious Tuning, ECUTek): $400 - $600
  • Miscellaneous (new spark plugs, gaskets, coolant, vacuum lines, heat wrap): $150 - $250
  • Total Supporting Mods Budget: $1,030 - $1,500
  • Budget Recommendation: $1,200 (prioritizing injectors and tune)

Complete Budget Scenario: Hitting the $4,500 Mark

Let's put it all together. Here's a balanced budget that lands right at $4,500 for a complete, reliable Edelbrock supercharger installation on your BRZ FA20. This scenario assumes you buy a new kit but use a slightly less expensive shop and focus on the most critical supporting parts.

ItemEstimated Cost
Edelbrock E-Force Supercharger Kit (New)$3,200
Professional Installation & Dyno Tune$1,000
Upgraded DW800cc Injectors$350
DW200c Fuel Pump$200
Miscellaneous (plugs, gaskets, fluids)$150
Total Estimated Cost$4,900

Note: If you can find a used supercharger kit in excellent condition or perform the installation yourself, you can easily shave $1,000-$1,500 off this total, bringing the project into the $3,500-$4,000 range. The $4,500 figure is a realistic target for a high-quality, professionally installed package.

Performance Gains: What You Get For Your Money

With the Edelbrock supercharger and a good tune, your BRZ's powerband will be completely transformed. Here's what you can realistically expect from a $4,500 investment.

  • Wheel Horsepower: Stock is about 170-180 whp. A properly tuned Edelbrock car makes 280-300 whp on 93 octane. That is a 60-70% increase.
  • Torque: The flat torque curve from the positive-displacement supercharger pushes peak torque to around 250 wtq (wheel torque), a massive improvement over the stock 150-160 wtq.
  • Drivability: The car pulls hard from 2,500 RPM to redline. No lag, no sudden surge. It behaves like a naturally-aspirated engine that is simply much larger.
  • Cooling: The water-to-air intercooler keeps intake temperatures consistent, preventing heat soak during aggressive driving. The system performs well even in summer track conditions.
  • Sound: The supercharger whine is subtle but intoxicating, especially under full throttle. It's a mechanical sound that complements the boxer rumble.

0-60 mph: Drops from the stock 6.4 seconds to approximately 4.5 seconds with a good launch. Quarter-mile times fall into the low 12-second range, a full 2-3 seconds faster than stock.

Reliability and Long-Term Considerations

A common concern with forced induction on an FA20 is engine longevity. The Edelbrock kit is known for being kind to the engine because of its conservative tuning and excellent intercooling. However, there are critical factors to consider.

  • Oil Cooling: The FA20 runs hot from the factory. A forced-induction car generates even more heat. Budget for an upgraded oil cooler (like the Jackson Racing or GReddy units) which can add $500-$800 to your build. They are not mandatory for street use but are highly recommended for track days or aggressive canyon driving.
  • Clutch Life: The stock BRZ clutch is marginal for the factory 200 hp. With 300 whp, it will slip under hard acceleration. If you plan on aggressive driving, a Stage 1 or Stage 2 clutch (e.g., ACT or Exedy) becomes necessary within 10,000-20,000 miles. This is another $600-$1,000 upgrade.
  • Fuel Quality: You must use high-octane fuel (93 octane or better). Running lower octane can cause knock and engine damage. A flex-fuel kit (E85) is a popular upgrade that unlocks even more power and safety, but adds cost.

With proper maintenance (oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles, using high-quality synthetic oil) and avoiding detonation, many Edelbrock supercharged BRZs have run for 50,000+ miles without major issues. The key is a reputable tune and not exceeding the engine's factory limits (boost levels kept under 9-10 psi).

Alternatives and Upgradability

The $4,500 budget places you in a specific tier of FA20 power upgrades. Understanding your alternatives helps you decide if the Edelbrock is the right choice.

Centrifugal Superchargers (e.g., Vortech, Rotrex)

Centrifugal systems typically make peak horsepower higher in the RPM range. They are often slightly cheaper ($2,500-$3,000 for a kit) but require more supporting work for low-end torque. The driving experience is different: less torque down low, but more top-end pull.

Turbocharger Kits (e.g., Full Blown, SBD)

A turbo setup can match or exceed the Edelbrock's power but introduces turbo lag, heat management challenges (exhaust manifold, downpipe), and often requires a more comprehensive build including a boost controller and wastegate. A good turbo kit with supporting mods is usually $5,000-$7,000.

NA Performance Upgrades (Headers, Tune, Cams)

This is the budget route. For under $2,000, you can add catless headers, a tune, and maybe an intake. You'll gain about 20-30 whp, which is noticeable but nowhere near the supercharger's impact. It's a good stepping stone, but once you want more, forced induction is the only real path to 300+ whp.

Is the Edelbrock Supercharger Worth $4,500?

For any BRZ or FR-S owner who feels the engine is the only weak link in an otherwise brilliant chassis, spending $4,500 on an Edelbrock supercharger is one of the best performance-per-dollar upgrades available. It transforms the car from a momentum-driven, slow-in-fast-out machine into a genuinely quick sports car that can embarrass much more expensive machinery from a stoplight or on a twisty road.

The car retains its excellent handling balance because the supercharger is mounted low in the engine bay, keeping the center of gravity low. The factory reliability remains strong because the system is well-engineered and thoroughly tested. When you factor in the CARB legality (avoiding smog check headaches), the ease of installation, and the linear power delivery, it's hard to find a better value in the forced induction world.

If you can budget for the clutch and oil cooler later, the $4,500 initial investment will give you a car that is faster, more responsive, and infinitely more exciting to drive than stock. For any serious BRZ enthusiast, it's an investment in pure driving pleasure that you will never regret.

Final recommendation: Save up for the supporting mods before you install the supercharger. A proper tune and upgraded fuel system are non-negotiable for a long, happy relationship with your boosted FA20.