Here's a breakdown:
* Naturally Aspirated Engine: A standard engine relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into the cylinders.
* Supercharger: A supercharger is a mechanically driven air compressor. It's usually driven by the engine's crankshaft via belts or gears, meaning it's always active when the engine is running. This forced induction directly increases the amount of air going into the cylinders.
* Result: Because more air is forced in, more fuel can be added, resulting in a larger explosion and more power. This translates to increased horsepower and torque compared to a naturally aspirated engine of the same displacement.
Key differences from Turbocharged Engines:
While both superchargers and turbochargers force air into the engine, a key difference is how they're driven:
* Superchargers: Driven directly by the engine's crankshaft. This means they provide boost immediately and consistently, but they also consume some of the engine's power to drive them.
* Turbochargers: Driven by exhaust gases. They offer greater efficiency (don't consume engine power directly) but have a lag before boost is fully available.
In short, a supercharged engine delivers immediate, consistent power, but at the cost of some engine efficiency due to the power required to drive the supercharger. This often results in a more linear power delivery than a turbocharged engine.
