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
