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by AB-Joel on July 2nd, 2003

AB-Joel

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What does a supercharger do?

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Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on February 22nd, 2004

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    Superchargers are basically air compressors driven by the crankshaft of the engine. There are two basic types;

    Centrifugal - Centrifugal superchargers are similar to the intake side of a turbocharger driven by a gearbox instead of the engine's exhaust. In order to keep the compressor from over-revving, they are geared to operate at their speed limits near the redline of the engine. As a result, they aren't going fast enough to produce reasonable HP gains at lower RPMs; they are very "peaky".

    Roots Blower - Old-school airscrews that draw in a fixed volume of air per engine revolution. They make the engine behave like a larger displacement version of itself. At higher RPM, the efficiency of the Roots blower decreases, but at low- and mid-RPMs, where most street cars are driven on a daily basis, they are the best option for moderate HP gains.


    As with turbochargers, more air means more fuel can be burnt, which means more power.

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  • by AB-Joel on June 28th, 2003

    AB-Joel

    A supercharger forces more air into the engine's intake, giving you more power, just like a turbocharger. The difference is that the supercharger is "always on" - it is driven by the engine's crankshaft, so whenever the engine is turning, the supercharger is forcing air into the engine, creating "boost."

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  • by scottytohottie on December 31st, 2006

    scottytohottie

    puts more air into the motor so horsepower increases a supercharger is belt driven so when you slam on the throttle it adds air which increases horsepower

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  • by Maximum Displacement on November 19th, 2006

    Maximum Displacement

    To elaborate on Jervinator's answer:
    There are 3 types of superchargers. All of which run off an extra belt mounted to the end of the crankshaft. The first, the centrifugal is correctly explained in his answer.
    Twin screw supercharger (Ford GT, Mercedes-McLaren SLR, Mini Cooper S): A unit that mounts on the top of the engine (assuming it is a "V"), and inside are 2 "screws" side-by-side that compress air by running it through the screws and into the engine. A popular car that sports a twin screw supercharger is the Ford GT. It is better suited for cars with fuel injection.

    Blower: Looks similar to the twin screw supercharger. It mounts on top of the engine (assuming it is a "V"). Inside the blower are 2 long fans with 3 blades. The blades suck air in from the top, and blow it through the bottom into the engine. Generally, this is used for older cars, you have probably all seen a blower on a funny car, there is an intake, and below the intake are the carbs, and then the blower.

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  • by Komatos on February 14th, 2004

    Komatos

    A "supercharger" is an "air pump" that forces air into an engine's induction system under pressure and is mechanically powered via a belt and pulley to the engine's crankshaft, however at low RPMs most "superchargers" operate in vacume and don't provide any additional boost over the engine's natural breathing. Superchargers are most beneficial in the middle to upper RPM ranges. The primary differance between superchargers and turbochargers is the way they are powered. Turbochargers are more effective at higher RPM ranges than superchargers are due to their limitless RPM capabilities.

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  • by Santaanacanyon on July 9th, 2003

    Santaanacanyon

    Yes, plus a supercharger is powered by an extra belt turning off the crankshaft. This robs some of the power gained from the extra boost.
    Turbochargers are turned by escaping exhaust...essentially waste energy, so they are more efficient than superchargers.

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