Blowers, superchargers, huffers, the list of names given to superchargers over the years is long, but so are the different types of superchargers available. Centrifugal, Roots, Screw, etc, they all basically operate the same way by having the engine spin a pulley that drives a belt that spins the supercharger and therefore makes boost. The resulting power is greatness, and available on demand. But which kind would you most like to have under, or in some cases through, the hood of your hot rod? Roots blowers are effective AND so traditionally bad ass. Screw blowers can be sedate in late model form, or insane if you go for something like you’d see on an alcohol dragster. Centrifugal superchargers can be as stealth as is possible or absolutely evil sounding. Whichever you like.
So which one to choose? We know it depends on what kind of hot rod or race car you are building, but if you were building your dream car then what would be your dream supercharger?
Roots, Screw, or Centrifugal, which one would you like to see find a home strapped to your favorite power plant?
Having grown up around, then driving and working on Detroit Diesels, I have a fondness for roots type.
My daily driver has a Buick 3800 with a factory Roots supercharger – although if I had the money for an upgrade, I’d like to switch it out for a screw type. I like having it being able to give plenty of boost at any point in the RPM range.
For a drag car, I’d rather either use a screw type or centrifugal, depending on the characteristics of the engine.
Screw type please ! To go along with the 4 door post over on Crown Vic Net the is an 07 Vice with a 5 speed and Kenne-Bell for $5000 asking. Needs a tune to finish but great bang for the buck !
Centrifugal – simply take an old turbo, attach a pulley to it and you have a cheap supercharger without the problems of under hood heat and having to build a new exhaust system. I saw this set up many years ago on a Ferrari dragster. This was I think a 308 that had a Berlinetta Boxer flat 12 stuck in the front with a belt driven turbo on top of the motor. I’d love it if you guys could come up with an article on this car as it really was the coolest Ferrari ever made!
that’s a neat idea. never thought of that. have to look into it.
Where do you find a belt and pulley that will spin 75,000 + rpm there common sense hatin mad Geordie ?
Axial followed by sliding vane
In the dare to be different category….would love to put a 6-71 on my LS1 in a GTO.
I have seen 6-71’s on LS engines already. They look sweet!
I’m an old guy, give me the 6-71 Roots sticking straight thru the hood with 2 funnels on top of the 2X4’s. How can you beat the sound man!!!
For a flattie, ….a 4-71 or 6-71 is plenty noisy / inexpensive / and streetable.
A turbo on a flat-motor would be a heat-pump on another heat-pump with
the car being a money-dump. (Might be OK for ICE DRAGS in Minnesota
…..in January.) A turbo flathead …in August… in Vegas… isn’t COOL.
That would depend on the car and application. It’s like picking a favourite child or what do you like better redheads blondes or brunettes. Like I said all depends on what your doing with it.