Engine Performance: System: Supercharger: Description

The supercharger is matched to the engine by its displacement and belt ratio and can provide excess airflow at any engine speed. The supercharger contains 2, 3-lobed rotors. The helical shape and specialized porting provides a smooth discharge flow and low level of noise during operation. The rotors are supported by ball bearings in front and needle bearings at the rear. Drive gears are pressed into place, therefore the supercharger is replaced as a unit and is not serviceable.

The supercharger is not a bolt-on option. It is part of an integrated engine system. Many components from a supercharged engine are not interchangeable from a non-supercharged engine. All models are equipped with an air-to-air intercooler which cools the pressurized air from the supercharger. By cooling the pressurized air from the supercharger, air density will be increased, which will improve engine combustion, horsepower and torque.

At low throttle, the engine runs under normal engine vacuum. To prevent supercharger cavitation, reduced performance and increased temperatures, a vacuum controlled by-pass valve is installed at the supercharger outlet. The by-pass valve allows a controlled amount of air back into the supercharger. As throttle opening is increased, the by-pass valve actuator closes the by-pass valve, which directs all air from supercharger to intake manifold. This occurs as soon as throttle opens, resulting in immediate response.