An air compressor connected to the intake of an internal combustion engine to increase the mass of oxygen entering the cylinders. Driven mechanically by the engine's crankshaft using a belt, gear, or chain, it provides instant boost pressure from idle. Common designs include Roots-type blowers, twin-screw compressors, and centrifugal superchargers.
The belt on the supercharger is slipping at high RPM, so we're losing about three pounds of boost.
Roots and twin-screw superchargers sit on top of the engine and provide massive low-end torque, while centrifugal superchargers look like turbochargers and build power linearly with engine speed.
Also heard as
- blower
Related terms
Supercharge
To force compressed air into an engine's intake to increase power output.
Forced induction
The process of compressing intake air to increase the power output of an internal combustion engine.
Boost
The positive air pressure created in the intake manifold by a forced induction system.
Turbosupercharger
An exhaust-driven compressor that forces more air into an engine.