How to Compare Hybrid to Traditional Supercharger Designs

A supercharger is an air compressor for an engine that increase its power by allowing it to burn more fuel in a given amount of time. Traditional superchargers are belt-driven, but hybrid superchargers driven by a brushless motor are becoming more common. The following steps will show how to compare hybrid with traditional supercharger designs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Consider the torque. A hybrid supercharger provides instant torque throughout the power band. Even a good traditional supercharger has a slight delay in delivering torque.
2. Observe the differences in power delivery. A traditional supercharger normally has greater parasitic loss and has peak power only at the shift point, but a hybrid supercharger may need full exhaust to reach its maximum potential.
3. Look at cooling. An intercooler is needed for a supercharger to reach its maximum potential. Hybrid superchargers are usually intercooled while many traditional superchargers do not include an intercooler in the basic kit. The intercooler may not be as efficient if it is not specifically designed for that supercharger.
4. Examine belt slippage. Hybrid superchargers generally have less belt slippage and traditional superchargers may require mounting brackets to increase the boost. Unlike a turbocharger, both types of superchargers require a pulley change to modify the boost.
5. Study the price and reliability. Traditional superchargers are typically cheaper and more reliable because they represent a more proven technology. Hybrid superchargers usually require a greater degree of customization and must be purchased as part of a complete kit.