but what exactly is a supercharger? I'm sure it's a dumb question but I don't know so I thought I'd ask anyway.

I know what it does and what it's capable of...increases horsepower, performance etc etc...

but what exactly is it doing that it's increasing horsepower and performance?

How does it work is my question?

 

a supercharger is simalar to turbo they both increase the intake air to the engine. the turbo uses the exhaust gasses to spin a fan in a 2 sided housing the fan on the other side of the housing forces the air to the engine and you can see the air is kinda hot (bad thing)
the supercharger is driven with a belt (like the alternator or power steering)(usally) to turn gears that press air into the engine (not hot)

if you need a better explination ask that is the short version

 

Hey BOK,

Not a dumb question...sorry I didn't see it sooner. I wrote an article on superchargers/turbochargers & what they do. Here you go:

http://www.hboss.net/4runner/a30jun02.htm

Hope it helps,

Al

 

If you want to get down into the nitty gritty check out Gadget's article... VERY thorough.

http://www.gadgetonline.com/Super.htm

 

You do understand that after reading all of the info you have been refered to, the next step is measuring the thickness of your wallet...

 

Thanks for all the info guys...

I think I'm gonna hide my wallet now

 

Open that wallet up. What other car company gives you the option to step right up to the parts counter and order up 100, smooth, exhilirating, waranteed, horsepower.

Did you notice that I said "waranteed"? I had the dealer install mine and I get the supercharger waranteed just as long as the rest of the truck. Not just a 1 year warantee like the guys that installed their own.

It's actually not a bad deal. Plus, the first time that you blow away a $75,000 BMW X5-v8, you will forget how much you spent anyway.





By the way, I'm not kidding about the BMW. I just did it about an hour ago. Man, you should have seen the look on that guys face. He actually got the jump on me at the light and I walked away from him. He was not happy.

 

tomus1000 - are you serious? thats very impressive...
that the 4.4 or the 4.6?

How do you think you'd fair against an ML430?

 

Funny you mentioned that BOK...I just drove back from San Jose, CA last night....for at least an hour, there was a ML430 that just wanted to see what my "supercharged" emblems meant

We were going at it for an hour on I-680...to make a long story short, he never got to read the new HiluxSurf emblems I have on my rear

 

dukestr - OMG that is sweeeeeeeeet!!!!! I didn't think that the supercharger was able to make that much of a difference.
Incredible actually...I mean it's not like the ML430 is exactly underpowered...something like 240 - 250hp? in that thing.

Your ride looks amazing too..I was just looking at the pics...that is one shiny rig!!!

Bet your lower back hurts after every waxing