How Much Horsepower Does A Supercharger Add? (Cost And ...

• Brian Onyango

Updated on March 30, 2024

You’ve probably looked for ways to increase horsepower and speed, whether you’re an engineer, a speedster, or an automotive enthusiast.

Larger normally aspirated engines with more cylinders boost horsepower, though a more powerful engine is also bulkier and costs more in gas and maintenance.

A supercharger is one of the most popular ways to get more power out of an engine without breaking the bank or adding a lot of extra weight.

Superchargers do not provide a fixed amount of horsepower and instead offer a 30-50% power increase, depending on the engine. The supercharger is powered by the crankshaft and only adds as much air to the combustion chamber as it can take, making it an extension of your engine. When installed properly, it should not cause any damage to the engine.

What Is a Supercharger

An engine produces power by burning fuel and oxygen in a combustion chamber and using the expanding gases to drive a piston. The more air that can be forced into the combustion chamber, the more fuel can be burned and the more power produced.

Adding extra air is where the supercharger comes in. It’s an air compressor that mounts on top of or next to the engine and is driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft.

The compressor pressurizes the air going into the engine, forcing more oxygen-rich air into the combustion chamber. This allows the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power.

How Does a Supercharger Work

The supercharger is powered by the engine’s crankshaft, which means it only works when the engine is running. The compressor compresses the air coming into the engine, raising the air pressure.

This forces more oxygen-rich air into the combustion chamber, allowing the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power.

The amount of power a supercharger can add to an engine depends on a few factors, including the size of the compressor, the type of supercharger, and the efficiency of the engine.

What Determines the Horsepower Gain?

As we mentioned earlier the supercharger does not provide a fixed amount of horsepower. The power is added in relation to your car’s original hp. There are a few different factors that will determine how much of an increase in horsepower you will see from a supercharger. Here are some:

1. Compressor Size

The size of the compressor is the most important factor in determining how much power a supercharger can add. The larger the compressor, the more air it can force into the engine and the more power it can produce.

2. Type of Supercharger

The type of supercharger also plays a role in how much power it can add. There are three main types of superchargers:

• Roots Type – Designed by the Roots brothers in the 1860s, the Roots-type supercharger is the most common type used today. It’s a positive displacement blower that uses two meshing rotors to draw air into the engine. This type of supercharger is typically used on larger engines such as V-12s and V-16s. It will therefore provide a large increase in power, but is also the most expensive type of supercharger.
• Centrifugal Type – The centrifugal-type supercharger is similar to a turbocharger, but it’s powered by the engine instead of exhaust gases. It uses a centrifugal force to draw air into the engine and compress it. This type of supercharger is typically used on smaller engines such as four-cylinders and six-cylinders. It will provide a smaller increase in power than a Roots-type supercharger, but is also less expensive.
• Twin-Screw Type – The twin-screw type supercharger is similar to the Roots type, but it uses two screws instead of rotors. The screws draw air into the engine and compress it. Also, this type of supercharger is typically used on larger engines such as V-12s and V-16s. It will provide a large increase in power, but is also more expensive than the Roots type.

3. Engine Efficiency

Another factor that determines how much power a supercharger can add is the efficiency of the engine. A more efficient engine will produce more power for a given amount of air than a less efficient engine.

This is because a more efficient engine will have a higher compression ratio, which means it can compress the air more before it reaches the combustion chamber.

Benefits of a Supercharger

There are several benefits to adding a supercharger to your engine. The most obvious is the increase in power it provides. A supercharger can add anywhere from 30 to 100 horsepower, depending on the size of the compressor and the type of supercharger.

Another benefit is that it can improve fuel economy. The extra air provided by the supercharger allows the engine to burn more fuel, which means it will be more efficient.

Lastly, a supercharger can extend the life of your engine. The extra air provided by the supercharger helps to cool the engine and prevents it from overheating. This can help to prevent engine damage and extend the life of your engine.

Turbochargers vs. Superchargers

We cannot talk about superchargers without mentioning turbochargers. Turbochargers are similar to superchargers, but they are powered by exhaust gases instead of the engine.

This means they can provide a larger increase in power than a supercharger, but they are also more expensive.

Another difference between turbochargers and superchargers is that turbochargers are more efficient. This is because they do not rely on the engine to power them, so they do not cause the engine to work harder.

Lastly, turbochargers are typically used on larger engines such as V-12s and V-16s. Superchargers can be used on any size engine, but they are most commonly used on smaller engines such as four-cylinders and six-cylinders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Turn a Supercharger On and Off?

No, you cannot turn a supercharger on and off. Once it is installed, it is always on. The supercharger is mounted on the engine and is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft.

What Brand of Supercharger Should I Get?

The brand of supercharger you get will depend on your budget and the type of engine you have. If you have a small engine, then a centrifugal-type supercharger from a company like Vortech or Paxton will be a good choice.

If you have a larger engine, then a Roots-type supercharger from a company like ProCharger or Whipple will be a better choice.

How Much Does a Supercharger Cost?

The cost of a supercharger will vary depending on the type of supercharger and the brand. A centrifugal-type supercharger can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000, while a Roots-type supercharger can cost anywhere from $3000 to $4000.

Is It Worth Getting a Supercharger?

Yes, a supercharger is worth getting if you want to increase the power of your engine. A supercharger can add anywhere from 30 to 100 horsepower, which can make a big difference in the performance of your car.

Additionally, a supercharger can improve fuel economy and extend the life of your engine.

Do I Need to Tune My Car After Installing a Supercharger?

Yes, you will need to tune your car after installing a supercharger. The extra air provided by the supercharger will require you to adjust the fuel map and timing curve to prevent engine damage.

You can either have your car professionally tuned, or you can purchase a tuner and do it yourself.

Conclusion

Superchargers do not produce a set number of horsepower. The crankshaft powers the supercharger, which only adds as much air to the combustion chamber as it can handle, making it an extension of your engine.

This means that supercharging cannot provide a fixed amount of horsepower because the power is added in relation to the original horsepower of your vehicle. Depending on the performance of your engine, the average amount added by a supercharger kit ranges from 30-50%.

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Why Do Superchargers Whine?

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