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Originally Posted by californiacuda
Here is some supercharger information, probably more than you want.
There generally 2 types of superchargers, positive displacement like Magnacharger, Whipple, Kenne Bell (these units sit directly on top of the intake manifold), or centrifugal like Procharger or Vortec which are located in the front of the engine in a location similar to the alternator or a/c unit.
The positive displacement sc companies have designed their units with a bypass valve that opens when the car is running in a vacuum condition. This bypass valve circulates the air that comes out of the compressed air end of the sc back to the intake, so that no boost is made and the sc is free wheeling and not taking much energy from the engine( less than 10 hp). Under acceleration the bypass valve is closed and the sc can make boost.
The positive displacement units are 1 of 2 design, either roots, or screw type. The screw type is generally considered to be more efficient.
A great feature of the positive displacement sc's is that they produce immediate, low rpm boost and massive torque. At lower speeds it is the torque that you feel in the seat of your pants when you accelerate.
The centrifugal sc's like the Pro Charger have tq and hp curves that are more similar to turbos. They don't come on as quickly as positive displacement, but will some times have more top end. I am not sure if the centrifugal units have bypass valves.
Superchargers are typically easier to install than turbos, less plumbing rework and simpler to operate. At full boost the sc's do rob the engine of hp to run them. So, when the dyno shows the engine making 600 hp, it is actually making 700, but a hundred is being taken away to run the sc.
Sorry for the long winded explanation, I just get wound up some times.
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Your explaination is very welcome. The more Technical the reasoning of the imput is very helpfull and appreciated.
Thanks,
tyoneal