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Since
the invention of the internal combustion engine, automotive
engineers, speed junkies and racecar designers have been searching
for ways to boost its power. One way to add power is to build
a bigger engine. But bigger engines, which weigh more and
cost more to build and maintain, are not always better.
Another
way to add power is to make a normal-sized engine more efficient.
You can accomplish this by forcing more air into the combustion
chamber. More air means more fuel can be added, and more fuel
means a bigger explosion and greater horsepower. Adding a
supercharger is a great way to achieve forced air induction.
In this article, we'll explain what superchargers are, how
they work and how they compare to turbochargers.
Supercharger
brands >>
Superchargers
and Turbochargers: A supercharger is any device that pressurizes
the air intake to above atmospheric pressure. Both superchargers
and turbochargers do this. In fact, the term "turbocharger"
is a shortened version of "turbo-supercharger,"
its official name.
The difference between the two devices is their source of
energy. Turbochargers are powered by the mass-flow of exhaust
gases driving a turbine. Superchargers are powered mechanically
by belt- or chain-drive from the engine's crankshaft.
Supercharger
Basics: An ordinary four-stroke engine dedicates one stroke
to the process of air intake. There are three steps in this
process:
- The
piston moves down.
- This
creates a vacuum.
- Air
at atmospheric pressure is sucked into the combustion chamber.
Once
air is drawn into the engine, it must be combined with fuel
to form the charge -- a packet of potential energy that can
be turned into useful kinetic energy through a chemical reaction
known as combustion. The spark plug initiates this chemical
reaction by igniting the charge. As the fuel undergoes oxidation,
a great deal of energy is released. The force of this explosion,
concentrated above the cylinder head, drives the piston down
and creates a reciprocating motion that is eventually transferred
to the wheels.
Getting
more fuel into the charge would make for a more powerful explosion.
But you can't simply pump more fuel into the engine because
an exact amount of oxygen is required to burn a given amount
of fuel. This chemically correct mixture -- 14 parts air to
one part fuel -- is essential for an engine to operate efficiently.
The bottom line: To put in more fuel, you have to put in more
air.
That's
the job of the supercharger. Superchargers increase intake
by compressing air above atmospheric pressure, without creating
a vacuum. This forces more air into the engine, providing
a "boost." With the additional air in the boost,
more fuel can be added to the charge, and the power of the
engine is increased. Supercharging adds an average of 46 percent
more horsepower and 31 percent more torque. In high-altitude
situations, where engine performance deteriorates because
the air has low density and pressure, a supercharger delivers
higher-pressure air to the engine so it can operate optimally.
Unlike
turbochargers, which use the exhaust gases created by combustion
to power the compressor, superchargers draw their power directly
from the crankshaft. Most are driven by an accessory belt,
which wraps around a pulley that is connected to a drive gear.
The drive gear, in turn, rotates the compressor gear. The
rotor of the compressor can come in various designs, but its
job is to draw air in, squeeze the air into a smaller space
and discharge it into the intake manifold.
FAQ
pg 1
| FAQ pg 2
TYPES
OF SUPERCHARGERS
Centrifugal
Superchargers: A centrifugal supercharger powers an impeller
-- read more >>
Twin-screw
Superchargers: A twin-screw supercharger operates by pulling
air through a pair of meshing lobes that resemble a set of
worm gears -- read
more >>
Roots
Superchargers: The Roots supercharger is an old design
-- read more >>
Here
are some cool Bishop links...
Any
questions about kits, parts, installations or services are
welcome. Contact Bishop by phone at 866-867-8324 or
e-mail bishop@bishopsales.com
and we will respond promptly. If you're in the neighborhood,
then drop by the shop at 1130 West 15th Street North Vancouver
BC and we will gladly give you a tour of our facilities, but
beware – there may be a Monster and ferocious horsepower
beasts in our shop when you visit! We really love to share
the fun with other performance enthusiasts who want to take
their cars to the next level of performance, appearance and
handling!
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