Superchargers are worth a lot of power—and you want one. One thing though, you don’t know the difference between each of the three types and how that will suit your needs. No need to worry, we break down all of them in the section below.
Roots Supercharger: The Roots design is known as the original supercharger, and can be dated back to the late 1800s. Instead of acting like a compressor, the Roots design act like air pumps (also known as blowers), which use a lobe rotor to force air into the engine’s cylinders.
This type is generally known for more effective than other designs at producing positive intake manifold pressure [read: more condensed air = more power] in the low rpm range, which makes them a must-have for drag racing. It’s important to note that, while not noticed during drags, Roots superchargers can make for a very abrupt throttle response.
Also known for their mean looks, Roots superchargers are popular among show cars. They are also very reliable and require hardly any maintenance.
Pros
- Boost throughout the rpm range, even off idle
- Reliability is excellent
- Head-turning looks
Cons
- Harsh throttle response at low rpm
- High heat production
Centrifugal Supercharger: A centrifugal supercharger compresses air inside of its casing by means of a rotating impeller before pushing it out a scroll and into the engine. This process is similar to that of a turbocharger, but the supercharger is spun by means of a crank pulley instead of exhaust pressure. Known for their user friendliness, centrifugal superchargers have become incredibly popular for street use and “easy” racing. Why? With a centrifugal supercharger, you have the ability to change impeller sizes and speeds, which allows for flexibility in the power curve of your car.
Pros
- Great reliability
- Flexibility with the power curve
- Low heat production
- Ease of install
Cons
- Lower power production at low rpm in comparison to Roots and Screw type superchargers
Screw Type Supercharger: The design of a Screw type supercharger (also known as Twin-Screw) is similar to that of a Roots supercharger, but it uses “screw” rotors to compress the air before discharging it to the engine—rather than acting as an air pump. What this means for performance is more positive pressure without a high temperature discharge, like that of Roots supercharger. Like the Roots design, the Twin Screw develops power very early on in the RPM range, then tapers off as the engine nears redline.
Pros
- Increased power at low rpm while remaining smooth
- Lower heat production than a Root supercharger
Cons