What are the types of superchargers?
2 Answers
Types of superchargers: Centrifugal supercharger, Screw-type supercharger, Roots-type supercharger. Like turbocharging systems, supercharging systems are forced induction systems. Both superchargers and turbochargers can increase engine air intake, but there are some differences between them. These two forced induction systems operate on different principles. Compared to turbocharging technology, supercharging completely eliminates throttle response lag, turbo lag, and sudden power output phenomena, achieving instant throttle response and linear power output that increases with RPM, thereby enhancing driving performance. Additionally, supercharging technology outperforms turbocharging in terms of low-speed high-torque and instant acceleration scenarios.
Last time I was chatting with friends about car modifications, we talked about how superchargers are actually quite detailed. The common centrifugal type is like fan blades spinning and compressing air in, with a really cool sound—many sports cars use this. The Roots type has two large gear-like rotors that mesh together to push air, providing power at low RPMs, commonly seen in pickups. The twin-screw type has spiral-shaped rotors, making air compression smoother and quieter, favored by some muscle cars. There’s also a hybrid setup combining twin turbos with a supercharger, which some high-performance cars are starting to adopt. Ultimately, it depends on what kind of power delivery the automaker wants—different types offer quite different levels of acceleration push.
