Superchargers & Components

Like a turbocharger, a supercharger is a type of forced induction system. Both are used to force more air into an engine so it can burn more fuel and produce more power. But although the objective of each system is the same, the method of achievement is quite different. A supercharger is driven by the crankshaft via a belt and pulleys, while exhaust flow drives the turbocharger’s turbine wheel, which in turn drives the compressor wheel that forces air into the intake manifold. The execution isn’t the same either. Although modern turbochargers are greatly improved, when you mash the pedal on a turbo engine, there’s still a momentary hesitation before the power kicks in – turbo lag, but with a supercharger you get instant response. These differences are why nowadays turbochargers tend to be used on smaller engines where fuel economy and torque are the goals, while superchargers are used when nothing but massive power and instant throttle response will do. No matter what you drive, if it has a supercharger, we have the replacement parts for the job if you need to make repairs.

Automotive superchargers are based on the blowers used to move air in industrial applications that were developed in the middle of the 19th century. Development of applications for internal combustion engines began just a few decades later. Superchargers were widely used on racing cars in the early 20th century, but only a few high-end luxury and sports production models from makes like Cord, Bentley, and Mercedes-Benz were supercharged. During WWII superchargers helped Allied aircraft maintain performance levels at high altitudes. After the war, the first mainstream production models with optional superchargers were the Ford T-bird and Studebaker in 1957. Today, some carmakers like Audi, Volvo and Jaguar extract more power from their small 4-cylinder and V6 engines with superchargers, but the technology really shines on vehicles like the Corvette ZR1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat, where the huge increase in power more than offsets the power consumed driving the supercharger.

There are 3 types of superchargers, the Roots type, the Screw type, and the Centrifugal supercharger. The Roots type is the oldest style and named for the Roots brothers, who patented the design in 1860 to move air in blast furnaces. Roots type superchargers have two multi-lobed gear-driven rotors closely meshed inside an aluminum case located on top of the engine. A shaft attached to one of the gears is driven by the engine via pulleys and a serpentine belt. Air is drawn through the air filter, intake tube and throttle body into the supercharger, and forced by the spinning lobes into the intake manifold. Screw type superchargers are based on Roots type superchargers, with a similar exterior appearance, but inside 2 screws mesh instead of the multi-lobed rotors. Both the Screw type and the Roots type are positive displacement superchargers, but while the Roots type pumps air into the intake manifold, the Screw type compresses the air internally. Centrifugal superchargers look and function similar to a turbocharger, except the compressor wheel is belt-driven off the crankshaft instead of by exhaust flow.

Compressing the intake air also raises its temperature, and if this hot pressurized air is allowed to enter the cylinders fresh from the supercharger, it could cause engine damaging detonation. To cool the hot compressed air, it’s routed from the supercharger through an intercooler, and then to the intake manifold. The intercooler lowers the air temperature, which increases its density and oxygen content for an even greater increase in power and prevents engine knock. With an intercooler, you get the increased pressure benefit provided by the supercharger, without the dangers and inefficiency that can result from heat. There are air-to-air and air-to-liquid intercoolers. With an air-to-air intercooler, the hot compressed intake air flows through the intercooler where the heat is transferred to cooling fins and then to the ambient air that passes through the intercooler. The heat from the intake air is transferred to coolant with an air-to-liquid intercooler, and the coolant circulates between the intercooler and a heat exchanger at the front of the vehicle where the heat is then transferred to the ambient air.

When the throttle is closed on a supercharged engine but the supercharger is still making boost, such as would occur when decelerating or shifting gears, pressure can rapidly increase at the throttle body to the point where it could be forced back into the supercharger in the wrong direction, which can cause a fluttering noise and could eventually result in component damage. This phenomenon is commonly known as compressor surge. For this reason, a bypass valve is incorporated in the supercharger system. When the throttle closes a vacuum is created that opens the bypass valve, releasing the pressurized air back into the intake air stream before the compressor.

Any of supercharger types will work well for a performance upgrade. They all deliver a boost but provide significantly different efficiency. If your vehicle came equipped with a supercharger from the factory and now it suffers from a malfunction, we have the replacement parts to make things right again without emptying your wallet. Here you’ll find everything from complete remanufactured supercharger assemblies to supercharger repair components including bypass valves, bypass solenoids, bypass valve vacuum harnesses, mounting bolts and gaskets. We also have supercharger repair kits that include replacements for common wear components. All remanufactured superchargers are disassembled, cleaned, and thoroughly inspected. Any part that does not meet specifications and quality standards is replaced with new, including all bearings and seals. The rotating assemblies are dynamic balanced for proper operation and durability.