Superchargers Guide: How They Work & Which To Buy

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Home » Superchargers Guide: How They Work & Which To Buy

This guide helps you understand how superchargers work vs a turbocharger, and what you should consider when tuning your engine before buying one. 

For those looking to harness some more performance from their engine, superchargers can be a hugely beneficial tool. Whether bolted onto a big capacity V8 motor, or assisting a small 2.0-liter engine, the benefits to both can result in hundreds of extra horsepower. But how do they work? What do you need to know before buying one? And what else should you upgrade before buying one to avoid taking your engine to an early grave? Read on to find out.

To improve the performance of an engine, it needs more air and fuel. A supercharger is an air compressor that supplies this extra air at more than atmospheric pressure. A supercharger needs power to work. Normally, the term supercharger describes a unit that is mechanically driven from the crank. However, if a turbine provides power, the supercharger is known as a turbocharger.

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There are two main types of superchargers: Centrifugal and Positive Displacement. Centrifugal superchargers deliver increased pressure with increased engine speed. They work by accelerating the inlet air by giving it a very high speed from a compressor wheel known as an impeller. This speed energy converts to pressure when the air slows down in the diffusor inside the compressor housing. Positive Displacement blowers deliver a certain amount of air per-engine revolution, independent of speed.

There are three major types of Positive Displacement supercharger; Roots, Twin-Screw and Scroll – also known as G-Lader.

The Centrifugal Supercharger typically has an internal ratio step-up gear that gives the impeller a much higher speed than the input drive. In general, the efficiency of the compression increases with higher impeller speeds. Step-up gearboxes based on gear sprockets or belts have limitations in speed and hence efficiency. Whereas traction drives, such as the Rotrex, can reach extreme speeds far above gear and belt-based boxes. Positive Displacement superchargers typically have two internal counter rotating rotors. The synchronization between them makes relies on a very small clearance, which makes them sensitive to debris and heat expansion.

There are several ways to improve engine power. In short, it’s all about moving greater volumes of air in and out of the engine.

The most obvious way is to increase engine capacity, but with focus on emissions and engine size, this is not beneficial.

Increasing engine speed also dictates expensive and complicated cam timing to avoid unwanted emissions. Colder intake air and higher volumetric efficiency increase power but with limited effect. Boosting, therefore, is the best way to improve power when emissions and power are key. No other alternative gives so much power for the money. When boosting is used, the performance limit is based on the engine internals with more than 100% gains often seen when the engine is properly prepared.

The main difference between a supercharger and a turbo is that a supercharger is mechanical driven. A turbocharger is driven by the exhaust energy. This could indicate that the turbo operates for free, whereas the supercharger steals energy from the crank. However, this is not the full story.

The main part of the exhaust energy is the high pressure in the exhaust ports that creates a pressure difference over the turbine wheel of the turbocharger. The backpressure in the downpipe dramatically reduces the Mean Effective Pressure on the pistons. This, combined with the limitation in efficiency of the turbine, reduces torque.

The reduction is in the same order as the power needed to drive the mechanical supercharger. Also, because the turbocharger traps hot residual exhaust gas in the combustion chamber, the temperature of the fresh air fuel mix increases. Therefore, the mixture in the turbo engine must be richer and the ignition timing lower. Both reduce fuel economy and performance. Several comparisons between turbochargers and efficient superchargers show almost identical performance and consumption results. With regards to emissions, the supercharger has advantages due to freedom in design of the exhaust system and less heat inertia.

Getting the right type and size of supercharger is very important as each has different attributes. If you require constant and high-end torque, the centrifugal type is ideal. It features a very smooth power increase and low stress on the transmission. Alternatively, in a heavy car with a small engine, you need more torque at low engine rpm. As a result, a Positive Displacement is the preferred choice.

Efficiency during compression of the air is also very important because more power can go to the crank. Plus, you can get away with a smaller intercooler if the efficiency is high. Low temperature of the inlet air is also important for engine reliability and performance. In general, the centrifugal supercharger has better efficiency than all other types of pump.

The physical size of the blower and additional items such as intercoolers and pipework are always an issue. This is because installation into increasingly cramped engine compartments makes fitment more difficult. Also, noise from the air compression is very dominant in a Positive Displacement supercharger. However, the Centrifugal blower is quiet, with Rotrex being the only unit that is essentially silent even at idle.

If the boost pressure from the installed kit exceeds 5 psi, you’ll need an intercooler to reduce inlet air temperature.

Depending on the power gain, the you should modify the exhaust system to reduce backpressure. Normally, the standard cams are fine for lower boost, but you can also source performance cams if you’re chasing more power.

As with any power upgrades, careful remapping and precise ignition and fueling is a must for a successful installation. Finally, depending on power increase, strengthened engine internals may also be needed and compression lowered according to needs.

It’s no secret that the turbo is the dominant boosting device between car manufacturers. The turbocharger manufacturers can support the OEM with implementation and low prices.

The very positive feedback from aftermarket supercharged cars can improve the supercharger market share. When car manufacturers realize it’s possible to get high efficiency, low noise at a good price, more cars will be supplied with superchargers. New stricter emissions rules will also push in that direction because the catalyst will have a shorter heat-up time. Hybrid solutions with 48V power supply will add torque at low engine rpm and open for a solution with an efficient centrifugal compressor like the Rotrex. The high-volume car industry is very conservative towards new technology because of the economic risk, so the implementation will take time.

When buying a supercharger, it’s very important that reliability and factory back-up is good. If the supercharger is sold to the OE market the quality, reliability and back-up is seriously controlled by the manufacturer and you can be sure that this will not cause problems.

Many supercharger manufacturers sell their products to the motorsport market. This market takes the units to the extreme and if the chargers can handle this treatment, they are probably good enough for the road.

The supercharger is the most expensive part of the kit so the unit price will heavily influence the kit price. If the installation kit is simple, however, because the supercharger is easy to install, a higher unit price is acceptable.

Did you know that we host a number of high performance car events across the year at some of the best circuits and venues in the UK? 

3rd October 2024

What are the quickest cars to ever lap the fabled Green Hell? Wonder no more, here are the fastest Nürburgring car lap times ever recorded.

by Dan Bevis

2nd October 2024

The Mercedes C63 AMG W204 offers other-worldly performance in all its various forms. Here’s what to look for when buying and tuning one.

by Dan Bevis

30th September 2024

Japan has played host to some of the world's most tunable engines by combining clever tech with strong engine internals. Here's our list of the best Japanese engines to tune. 

by Stavros Neophytou