Paxton’s Novi 1200, 1500 and 2200 are centrifugal supercharger head units of increasing size and airflow. In the East Coast Supercharging kits we list, the Novi 1200 appears in the C5 kit at about 100 to 200 hp over stock; the Novi 1500, with self-contained oiling and quiet operation, is ECS’s main street unit, quoted at roughly 200 hp over stock and rated by ECS to support up to about 900 hp; and the Novi 2200 is the race-level unit, quoted to support 1,000 hp and more, with the 2200R quoted at 1,300+ hp. Pick the smallest head unit that comfortably supports the power you will really run.
Novi 1200 vs 1500 vs 2200 (ECS figures from our listings)
| Novi 1200 | Novi 1500 | Novi 2200 (HD / R) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Mild street gains | Street and strong street-strip builds | Very high power and race builds |
| Gain on an otherwise stock car | About 100-200 hp (C5) | About 200 hp; 188 whp quoted on the C7 | 188 whp quoted on the C7 base Legend kit |
| Power the head unit supports (ECS) | Not stated | Up to about 800-900 hp | 2200HD: 1,000+ hp; 2200R: 1,300+ hp |
| Oiling | Not stated | Self-contained | Not stated |
| Kits we list | C5 system | C5, C6, C7 and Camaro kits | C7 Grand Sport Legend kit; optional on several 1500 kits |
Which head unit do you need?
- Stock engine, street car: a Novi 1500 kit gives ECS’s quoted 500-600 rwhp on otherwise stock C5 and C6 cars, with room to grow.
- Built engine, big power goals: the 2200 series, or a kit whose brackets accept it later. ECS’s C6 brackets accept the 1500-SL, 2200-HD and 2200-R.
- Limited budget, mild gains: a smaller head unit at lower boost, as in the C5 Novi 1200 system.
Boost, pulleys and supporting parts
Power comes from the head unit, pulley size and supporting parts together. ECS lists 8-10 psi for its C6 LS3 kits with a 3.25″ 6-rib pulley, and 15-17 psi for the Camaro kit with an 8-rib drive, where it reports 830+ rwhp on stock-bottom-end LS3s with the Novi 1500. Bigger numbers need fuel system upgrades, calibration and often a stronger engine; see fuel pump sizing and how much horsepower a supercharger adds.
Novi vs other centrifugal superchargers
All centrifugal units build boost with rpm, so they feel smooth low down and pull hardest at the top. Differences between brands come down to compressor efficiency, oiling (self-contained or engine-fed), drive and kit quality. See centrifugal superchargers and twin-screw vs roots.
Looking after a Novi
Self-contained units need their own oil changed on Paxton’s schedule; see supercharger maintenance and how long a supercharger lasts.
Kits we list
- 1997-2004 Corvette C5 system with Paxton 1200: $5,874.50
- ECS C6 Novi 1500 kit, LS2: $7,144.50
- ECS C7 Novi 1500 kit, 2015+ wet sump: $7,144.50
- 2015+ Grand Sport Corvette Legend Series kit with Novi 2200HD: $8,144.00
See also supercharger kit prices and supercharger kits by platform.
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