supercharging · FF-0226

How do you choose the right size supercharger for an engine?

Joe says there is an optimum size positive displacement blower for every engine: about half to three-quarters of the engine's cubic inch displacement gives good performance over the whole range. Too big a blower over-pressures the engine at the high end, has to be underdriven significantly, and the engine can actually run better without the belt. His example is a customer with a 14-71 on a 502, which had to reach 4,800 rpm before it ran better with the belt on than off.

Expert

Joe Abbin

Evidence

expert attributed

Component

supercharger sizing

Applicable scope

Roots-type positive displacement superchargers on any engine