How a Supercharger Works
Suppercharger Kits
Before I discuss how a supercharger works. I wanted to review a bit of a history for this amazing automotive technology.
Some people do not realize that a supercharger was first installed on a production vehicle in 1906. Now bolt on supercharger kits
Back in the old days, the leading Car companies that used this forced air technology were Mercedes-Benz and Duesenberg.
These companies put a lot of research and development into improving performance. Both of these car companies dominated the racetrack in the 1920s through the 1930s.
After World War II, larger displacement engines that could produce the same amount of power replaced superchargers.
Also in the late 1950s the forced induction turbocharger started to gain traction. This was because a turbocharger was able to produce more boost at lower RPMs. The trucking industry embraced this automobile technology which allowed extremely heavy loads to be moved easily from a dead stop.
The return of the supercharger
Roush Superchargers
The intake mounted belt driven supercharger started to make a comeback in American car models in 1989. One of the most popular of these models was the 1989 Bonneville SSI.
The standard 3.8 L engine coupled with the supercharger returned excellent performance without much effect on over all fuel economy.
The 3.8 L engine was the perfect platform due to its cast-iron block and cylinder heads. This engine also demonstrated the ability to produce large amounts of horsepower.
Buick had shown this engine’s potential when they bolted on a turbo charger for the T-type and Buick Grand National models.
In 1987, the Grand National deployed the intercooler turbocharger making it one of the fastest rear wheel drive production cars ever produced with a v6 in the United States. Read more
Mustang Burnout Video
Last weeks post showed some of the coolest cars in burn out action photos. This got the blood pumping for many visitors. This week I thought I would post my favorite mustang burnout video for all to enjoy.
If you notice there is an auto repair shop in the background. I hope this was not a car left for auto service or a vehicle being reconditioned for the used car lot. Sometimes mechanics like to have a little fun. Just so long as it is their own car they are having fun with!
Video Mustang burnout
Yes this mustang shreds the tires until something pops under the automobile.The video title says it’s a blown tire but after the smoke clears the left rear tire seems to be inflated and the car is sitting level. To me it sounds like a rear universal joint letting loose. Take a look at the mustang burnout video and just be thankful it is not your car. Also let me know what you think went boom in the comment area?
The burnout video has become one of the most popular automotive action videos on the internet. Sites like street fire make it fast and fun to both post and watch burnout clips from all over the world.
Traction Control Automotive Technology
Buick Burn Out
Have you ever tried to accelerate hard from a stop light on a wet slick road? Without automatic traction control a driver would have to feather the gas pedal and balance the acceleration and wheel spin. This is a skill that some drivers just don’t have.
But what if you could just smash the pedal to the floor and let the car handle the complicated stuff. Enter modern day traction control automotive technology.
Not only is this high tech system useful on wet roadways but on snow covered ones as well.
Yes you can still get stuck especially if there is a layer of ice under the snow. But the common problem of digging yourself in even deeper with spinning tires is greatly reduced.
Corvette ATC off
I was fortunate enough to own and drive a corvette for a short time. This was my first vehicle with a traction control system. It worked flawlessly and I never had a problem with it.
It came in handy many times. Here is an example of this systems usefulness. When driving on the local highway after a light rain the road surface was like ice.
After a few weeks of no rain followed by a light rain the oil from the road would float to the top causing super slickness.
Sitting at a four way stop with a very light fiberglass car and 400 horsepower driving the rear wheels meant lots of tire spinning. Read more
Stability Control Automobile Technology
stability control active
Car buyers see these stability control commercials where a family is saved on a rainy night and think that this is pretty cool automotive technology.
But what they may not know is that automotive stability control systems are mostly operated and controlled by antilock brake technology.
Although there are various types of stability control systems that are found on today’s vehicles.
Traction control and stability systems are linked to the ABS system and on some vehicles they are linked to both the brake and electronic suspension systems.
On some of these expensive automobiles, a driver-controlled switch can be used to disable the traction control while the stability safety features remain active.
High tech systems use the angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the wheels to calculate the chosen path of the driver.
The main control module will then monitor the lateral sensor and the G-forces on the vehicle to measure where the vehicle is actually going. Read more
