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Supercharger Questions and Answers
Q: Why would I want to supercharge my experimental airplane?
A: Supercharging increases air density and significantly increases power on an otherwise stock engine. In short, supercharging makes a 360 perform like a 520 and makes 540 perform like a big block 720. Automotive OEM manufacturers like Ford, GM, Mazda, Mercedes, and Jaguar offer factory installed superchargers on several models due to the tremendous benefits. Our supercharger systems offer more torque and horsepower per dollar than any other single engine modification. Most other modifications available require specific matched parts, in-depth tuning and won’t produce the performance gains you’ll receive from just the simple addition of a
supercharger system. Read more by downloding the pdf
Introduction to Superchargers and Supercharger basics
In order to understand how a supercharger is going to help your aircraft, you first need to understand what a supercharger is and how it works.
A supercharger is essentially a large pump that compresses air and forces it into the engine’s air intake. Turbochargers do the same thing, only they are run by exiting exhaust gasses, while superchargers are powered by the engine’s spinning crankshaft, normally via the accessory belt. Originally built for World War II aircraft, superchargers have become very common in today’s performance automotive world, and featured as original equipment on some new sports cars straight from the factory! Supercharging is a very efficient way to make horsepower for aircraft applications.
Superchargers have become popular in recent years for several reasons, including cost, efficiency, reliability, and of course, performance. Supercharging an engine often results in huge power increases in the range of 50% to 100%, making them great for racing, cross country flying, or just having fun.Although superchargers carry a fairly high ticket price $16/$17K), nothing provides more horsepower for your dollar... in fact, nothing even comes close. And because of the way superchargers work, they provide power only when the engine is under full throttle or under load... not under normal cruising conditions.This means that the supercharger will not
affect the engine’s reliability, longevity, or fuel economy under normal flying conditions.
Most of the superchargers sold today are centrifugal-style superchargers, which are internal-compression superchargers, meaning they create the boost (compress the air) inside the supercharger head unit (blower) before discharging it into the engine’s air intake. External compression superchargers (roots or screw-type superchargers) have become less popular as centrifugal superchargers have evolved. Centrifugal superchargers (Aero Superchargers,Vortech and Paxton,) are more reliable, especially at higher boost levels, and are capable of creating much more boost than external compression superchargers, while creating a much cooler intake charge (which results in an even denser intake charge). Read more by downloding the pdf
Supercharging vs.Turbocharging in aircraft
It’s one of the most common questions we are asked the answer to which is almost impossible to find:“What is better—a supercharger or a turbo?”
We only wish the answer were that simple, but unfortunately it is not. The simple answer is: “It depends.”
But don’t worry, we’ll go into more depth than that here. Both superchargers and turbos have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Selecting the right kind of forced induction for your vehicle will depend upon your particular vehicle, your driving habits, your power preferences, and your needs. Read more by downloding the pdf
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