Superchargers

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Max Turbo

Original Poster:

2,181 posts

233 months

Friday 1st May 2009
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Hi all,

I thought this is probably the best place to ask some fairly basic questions...

I understand the concept and the basic principles behind superchargers however I have some questions about some specifics. Can't seem to find the answers online because I dont know the terminology or I get American chavs spouting on about how their car is faster than the next...

So...

When a drag car, for example, has the supercharger poking out of the bonnet/hood and has the 1/2/3 little flaps connected up to the throttle, what is this called? Is all of this additional structure that is bolted to the top of the engine just to house this?

I know there are a few different types of supercharger too (principly different, rather than different makes or models). What are the pros and cons of each?

Are there any good websites that have reasonable levels of information without the chav-speak or oneupmanship?

Thanks in advance

HD Adam

5,154 posts

185 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
quotequote all
These?



Usually known as a Bug Catcher or Butterfly Scoop in drag racing parlance. They bolt onto your carbs or fuel injection and are quite separate.

There's basically 3 different types of mechanically driven supercharger. First is the centrifugal type which is much like a turbocharger in shape and form. It has to be spun up to produce the boost and gives you power higher up the rev range.
Then there is the "Roots"type blower. These are the ones you see on drag cars poking out of the hood and are basically an air mover. The lobes of the rotors move air from above to below in the inlet manifold where it creates pressure.
Then there's twin screw blowers "Lysholm" type which look like the Roots type but the shape of the rotors (screws) actually compress the air. These are more efficient and both these and the Roots give great boost from low down.
The one you need depends on what you intend to use it for.

There's some good forums on Superchargers here http://www.superchargersonline.com/forum/ and http://www.superchargerhelp.com/

BTW, yes, I do have a supercharger and yes, it's faster than yours biggringetmecoat

Edited by HD Adam on Saturday 2nd May 09:55


Edited by HD Adam on Saturday 2nd May 09:57

V10 BAT

1,718 posts

235 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
quotequote all
Hey nice reply.
twinscrew






it`s all about traction.biggrin and no my mums faster than me. cheers Dave

Max Turbo

Original Poster:

2,181 posts

233 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
quotequote all
Fantastic info guys! Just what I was after. I have just been reading up a bit more on it all, now that I know some of the terminology.

Another question though. That top picture. I presume that is just the supercharger with the bug catcher on the top? If so, that seems quite a big bit of kit smile Is that simply housing the two rotors/screws? What else would be in there?

There are two pulleys on that unit too. One is toothed and one is smooth - why wouldnt they both be toothed? I assume they are the two pulleys for the two rotors/screws?

If one was to bolt a supercharger to an engine, how would the supercharger be driven? Would it just link into the auxiliary drive belt?

Thanks in advance!

Edited by Max Turbo on Saturday 2nd May 20:11

GreenV8S

30,213 posts

285 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
quotequote all
Max Turbo said:
That top picture. I presume that is just the supercharger with the bug catcher on the top? If so, that seems quite a big bit of kit smile Is that simply housing the two rotors/screws? What else would be in there?
The blower itself is the lower unit with the pulleys on the front. Above that is the carburettor. Above that is the bug-catcher.

Max Turbo said:
There are two pulleys on that unit too. One is toothed and one is smooth - why wouldnt they both be toothed? I assume they are the two pulleys for the two rotors/screws?
The toothed pulley drivers the blower. One of the rotors is driven directly from the pulley, the other is driven via a gear. The second pulley is just there to tension the belt.

Max Turbo

Original Poster:

2,181 posts

233 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
Max Turbo said:
That top picture. I presume that is just the supercharger with the bug catcher on the top? If so, that seems quite a big bit of kit smile Is that simply housing the two rotors/screws? What else would be in there?
The blower itself is the lower unit with the pulleys on the front. Above that is the carburettor. Above that is the bug-catcher.

Max Turbo said:
There are two pulleys on that unit too. One is toothed and one is smooth - why wouldnt they both be toothed? I assume they are the two pulleys for the two rotors/screws?
The toothed pulley drivers the blower. One of the rotors is driven directly from the pulley, the other is driven via a gear. The second pulley is just there to tension the belt.
It's all starting to slot into place now! hehe

Thanks to all smile

Dr-Bob

6,629 posts

261 months

Saturday 2nd May 2009
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Twin screw.....



LuS1fer

41,142 posts

246 months

Monday 4th May 2009
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This is the Vortech centrifugal on my Mustang:


As you can see, air is sucked in through the cone filter into the snail-shell-shaped compressor which is driven by a belt/gears. The air heats up when compressed so it is then fed into the chargecooler on the left which then feeds into the main throttle-body.

The centrifugal drives very much like a turbo - a little more than standard low down and then all hell breaks loose at the top of the rev range.

allroundpower

61 posts

182 months

Friday 15th May 2009
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If you get a bigger centrifugal supercharger you will get boost from 2000rpm and never nee to go to 5000rpm on the street. You will need a built engine and or intercooler to accommodate the cylinder pressure and heat.