09-03-2014, 03:42 PM
(09-02-2014, 09:34 AM)CIP57_imp Wrote: Below is a good read.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question122.htm
Supercharges need HP to produce HP therefore most of the HP gains are at the top of the RPM range. There will be dead spots unless they can figure out how to get torque up at the lower rpm range.
"The biggest disadvantage of superchargers is also their defining characteristic: Because the crankshaft drives them, they must steal some of the engine's horsepower. A supercharger can consume as much as 20 percent of an engine's total power output. But because a supercharger can generate as much as 46 percent additional horsepower, most think the trade-off is worth it."
My wife and I both have supercharged Pontiac cars and the boost is effective at lower rpm ranges. There are no dead spots. This design also bypasses the supercharger unless the engine requires boost which results in minimal parasitic losses (several HP on a ~240HP car). A pretty good system.