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A supercharger is a reasonably straightforward addition that can substantially increase the power output of a naturally-aspirated engine. In this guide, we’ll cover the fundamental principles of a supercharger system, the multiple types available, and which is best for your requirements.
Understanding Supercharged Engines and Systems
An internal combustion engine needs air and fuel to produce power. Simply put, a supercharger compresses intake air, allowing more to enter the engine and enabling it to make more power. Unlike a turbocharger driven by exhaust gases, a supercharger relies on a belt, driven by the engine crankshaft.
A supercharger comprises internal rotors connected to the engine crank by a belt. When the engine is running, the rotors spin at extremely high speeds, drawing in more air and compressing it into the intake manifold. The higher oxygen concentration can then be supplied with more fuel than usual, resulting in a more powerful combustion process.
What Are the Different Supercharged Systems To Choose From?
Superchargers can be classified into three different types based on their design. While the working principle is the same, each comes with its pros and cons, which will help you decide which type you should pick.
Roots Supercharger
The Roots-type supercharger is the oldest supercharger technology and gets its name from the Roots brothers, who patented the basic design in 1860. These superchargers typically come with a two-lobe rotor design. The rotors rotate away from each other, forcing more air into the intake manifold and increasing pressure. Roots-type superchargers are known for their low-end torque, making them a popular choice in racing. The downside is that they increase heat production and reduce efficiency.
Twin-Screw Supercharger
A twin-screw supercharger has a similar design to a Roots supercharger. The primary difference is that the interlocking rotors compress the air that is forced through them, unlike the Roots supercharger, which creates positive pressure in the intake manifold. These superchargers produced a notable increase of power from idle, making them a go-to option for heavier vehicles that require bottom-end torque. They also make less heat than a Roots-type system. However, like a Roots-type supercharger, a twin-screw unit does put a lot of additional load on the engine, adversely affecting efficiency.
If you want to extract maximum performance from the lower end of your rev band, a Roots-type or twin-screw supercharger makes the most sense.
Centrifugal Supercharger
A centrifugal supercharger is the most common system you’ll find on modern-day street cars. These units feature a belt-driven impeller that draws air into the supercharger housing. The air is then pressurized by centrifugal force, after which it’s sent to the intake manifold. Centrifugal superchargers are extremely popular since there are several compressor sizes and pulley diameters that you can pick from to fine-tune the performance that you need.
The amount of boost a centrifugal supercharger produces is proportional to engine RPM. This translates to a linear power band requiring you to keep the engine at higher revs to extract maximum performance. This makes them an excellent choice for cars that will spend most of their time on public roads.
Make Sure You Understand Your Warranties
Broadly speaking, there are two warranties that you must take into consideration before purchasing a supercharger for your car. The first is of your vehicle itself, while the other is of the supercharger system you purchase. Adding a supercharger to your car will most likely void its warranty since most manufacturers don’t condone aftermarket modifications. But, if you’re modding an older car that isn’t covered by a manufacturer warranty anymore, this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about.
What you should look into is the warranty that the supercharger comes with. Trusted brands like Edelbrock and Vortech come with warranties, and some of them also offer you the option to purchase an extended warranty. Considering the costs of a supercharger system, ensuring your purchase is covered makes sense.
Think About the Cost and Installation
You should never compromise on the quality of a supercharger kit for your car. A cheap, substandard unit can damage the engine and other elements of the powertrain, leaving you with quite the repair bill.
There are several supercharger kits out there, and depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you might be able to find one that’s specifically designed to be a direct fit. Supercharger kits come with everything you’ll need to get the installation done, ranging from around $2,500 to upwards of $10,000.
Superchargers from reputable brands should also tell you exactly what to expect regarding added boost and maximum power.
Installing a supercharger may require assistance from a technician, depending on your mechanical know-how. The cost of this can vary based on where you’re located and the technician to go to, so it’s best you make some calls before narrowing down on who will do the job for you.
How to Maintain a Supercharged Car
The job of maintaining a car with a supercharger is effectively the same as that of any other naturally-aspirated car. However, the cost of damage will be higher if something were to go wrong since more parts are involved. One essential step to ensure that you don’t cause severe damage down the line is to ensure that the engine always has adequate oil. A supercharger will cause additional load and strain on the machine, so it mustn’t be starved of oil.
You can also opt to install a high-performance air filter and make sure that it’s cleaned periodically. Since a supercharger enables increased airflow, you will have to clean the air filter more often and ensure that it doesn’t get clogged.
Lastly, your car will also benefit from an upgraded cooling system. As mentioned above, superchargers will increase the heat produced by the engine. That’s why most supercharger installations are accompanied by the addition of an intercooler. You can also opt to add a more precise temperature gauge to better monitor engine temperature.
Once all of this is in place, you should be able to effortlessly enjoy the added performance you now have at your disposal without worrying about your car.
Shopping for a supercharger for your street or race car? Check out what JEGS has to offer. Not only will you find kits from the top brands in the market, but our experts can advise you on the right fit for your project.
