When you begin to search for the best supercharger for your vehicle, the choices can sometimes seem overwhelming. With so many manufacturers, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. This guide is designed to give you an overview of each supercharger manufacturer and will hopefully help you decide which brand is the best choice for you.
Often we are asked which supercharger is the best. This question is impossible to answer as each make of supercharger has its own set of characteristics (price, low end power, high end power, ease of installation, reliability, etc.) that make it unique. The combination of these characteristics may make a particular supercharger the “best” or the “worst” choice for your application depending on your requirements. With the help of this guide you will get a feel for which brand will most likely best suit your needs.
The feature that most separates the different brands of superchargers is the type of compressor that is used. There are three different types of supercharger compressors – centrifugal, twin-screw, and roots (click to learn more on each type of supercharger). It will be helpful to familiarize
yourself with these three types of superchargers before deciding which supercharger is best for your application. In many cases you will find that there is only one type of supercharger available for your vehicle. In general, this indicates that there is one type of supercharger compressor that is clearly the best choice for your vehicle by most standards.
| Allen Engine Development |
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Supercharger Type: Roots
(Eaton)
Overview: Allen Engine Development is a small manufacturer of a select few roots supercharger systems for the Ford 4.6L Mustang / Thunderbird engine.
Pros:
• OEM quality
• Excellent power at lower rpms
• Very complete system – no additional modifications required
• Integrated intercooler system included with every system
• Self contained – no need to tap the oil pan for lubrication
Cons:
• Kits available for few vehicles
• Kits are fairly expensive, but reasonably priced considering intercooler is included
• REV I kits have lengthy install times (new REV II kits are much easier)
Systems Available For:
• Ford (Discontinued)
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| Jackson Racing |
Supercharger Type: Roots
(Eaton)
Overview:
Jackson Racing focuses on the Japanese sport/compact market and has established itself as the leading supercharger brand in smaller four and six cylinder engines.
Pros:
• OEM quality
• Excellent power at lower rpms
• Very complete system – no additional modifications required
• Specifically designed for smaller engines
• Self contained – no need to tap the oil pan for lubrication
Cons:
• Kits are fairly expensive
Systems Available For:
• Acura RSX
• Acura Integra (Discontinued)
• Honda
• Mazda Miata
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| Paxton Automotive |
Supercharger Type: Centrifugal
(Paxton)
Overview:
Paxton Automotive is the first aftermarket automotive supercharger manufacturer. Paxton makes high-end centrifugal superchargers for a variety of Dodge, Ford, Lincoln, and GM vehicles.
Pros:
• High quality compressor and components
• Very complete system – no additional modifications required
• High peak boost capabilities – great for racing
• Excellent installation instructions
• 100% maintenance free – no oil to change
Cons:
• Not self contained – tapping the oil pan is required
• Little boost / small power gains below 3000 rpm
Systems Available For:
• Dodge Ram (Discontinued)
• Dodge 4.7L Dakota/Durrango (Discontinued)
• Ford 4.6L Mustang Cobra (Discontinued)
• Ford 4.6L Mustang
• Ford 5.0L Mustang and Cobra
• Ford 6.8L Truck/SUV
• Ford F-Series Truck 4.6/5.4L (Discontinued)
• Lincoln Navigator 5.4L (Discontinued)
• GM Truck/SUV 4.8/5.3/6.0L (Discontinued)
• Hummer H2
• Dodge Viper
• Dodge SRT-8 Truck
• Chevy Camaro SS
• Small Block Ford
• 351W Ford
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| Powerdyne Automotive |
Supercharger Type: Centrifugal
(Powerdyne)
Overview:
Powerdyne Automotive manufactures a complete line of centrifugal supercharger systems for many GM, Ford, and Dodge cars and trucks. Known for being one of the only self contained centrifugal superchargers and for being a low-cost leader, Powerdyne Automotive has proved itself to be a powerful player in this industry.
Pros:
• Excellent value – low cost and good performance
• Very complete systems – no/few additional modifications required
• Super quiet “SilentDrive” belt driven internals make almost no noise
• Self contained – no need to tap the oil pan (except for XB-1A systems)
Cons:
• Internal belt needs to be replaced every 50,000 miles (except for XB-1A systems) and must be sent to Powerdyne
• Installation instructions need improvement
• Not capable of high boost outputs above 12psi
• Little boost / small power gains below 3000 rpm
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| ATI ProCharger |
Supercharger Type: Centrifugal
(ATI)
Overview:
ProCharger is known as a leading centrifugal supercharger brand and has established a reputation for its high quality intercooled supercharger systems that are capable of putting out incredibly high levels of boost. ProCharger is a strong believer in the benefits of intercooling and include an intercooler in almost every system they sell. Their P-1SC and D-1SC supercharger compressors are the only gear-driven centrifugal compressors available, and are very easy to install.
Pros:
• Very high performance – cool (intercooled) discharge
• Self contained – no need to tap the oil pan (P-1SC and D-1SC only)
• Very upgradable – compressors capable of high boost outputs
Cons:
• Lots of compressor noise (whine)
• Fairly expensive, but reasonable considering intercooler is included
• Little boost / small power gains below 3000 rpm
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| Vortech Engineering |
Supercharger Type: Centrifugal
(Vortech)
Overview:
Vortech sets the industry standard with their huge line of automotive and ruck superchargers. Vortech sells more superchargers than any other single manufacturer – and for good reason. Vortech quality is second-to-none and their impressive manufacturing plant is the best in the industry. Their high quality supercharger systems have enjoyed years of success on the race track and are capable of incredibly high boost output levels.
Pros:
• Very high performance – capable of high outputs – aftercoolers available on some models
• Reliable, high quality compressor and components
• Very upgradable – compressors capable of high boost outputs
• SQ line of compressors are “Super Quiet”
Cons:
• Tapping the oil pan is required
• Little boost / small power gains below 3000 rpm
Systems Available For:
• Ford 3.8L Mustang (Discontinued)
• Ford 4.0L Mustang
• Ford 4.6L Mustang
• Ford 4.6L Mustang Bullitt
• Ford 4.6L Mustang Mach 1
• Ford 4.6L Mustang Cobra
• Ford GT500
• Ford 5.0L Mustang Cobra
• Ford 4.0L Truck (Discontinued)
• Ford 5.0L Truck (Discontinued)
• Ford 5.8L Truck & Lightning (Discontinued)
• Ford 4.6/5.4L Truck/SUV (Discontinued)
• Ford 6.8L Truck/SUV (Discontinued)
• Ford 7.5L Truck(Discontinued)
• Hummer H2
• Lincoln Navigator
• Cadillac Escalade
• GM 5.7L Camaro / Firebird / TransAm (Discontinued)
• GM Corvette
• Chevy Camaro SS
• Small Block Chevy
• Big Block Chevy
• GM 4.3L Truck (Discontinued)
• GM 4.8/5.3/6.0L Truck/SUV
• GM 5.7L/7.4L Truck(Discontinued)
• Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G35
• Honda Civic(Discontinued)
• Honda S2000
• Acura Integra (Discontinued)
• Pontiac GTO
• Dodge 5.7L 300c/Magnum/Charger/Challenger
• Dodge 6.1L 300c/Magnum/Charger/Challenger
• Dodge 6.1L Jeep Grand Cherokee
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| Whipple Industries |
Supercharger Type: Twin Screw
(Lysholm)
Overview:
Whipple Industries is rapidy emerging as a leading manufacturer of twin-screw supercharger systems for many truck and marine applications. Utilizing only the best quality Lysholm twin screw compressors, Whipple supercharger systems are completely self contained and provide amazing power gains even at very low engine rpms. Ideal for trucks and towing vehicles, these supercharger systems are truly a cut above.
Pros:
• Excellent power at lower rpms and great for towing
• Very complete system – no additional modifications required
• Easy to install
• Self contained – no need to tap the oil pan for lubrication
• Very high quality
Cons:
• Kits are fairly expensive
• Installation manuals need improvement
Systems Available For:
• GM 4.8L Truck/SUV
• GM 5.3L Truck/SUV
• GM 6.0L Truck/SUV
• GM 6.2L Truck/SUV
• GM 5.0/5.7L Truck / SUV (Discontinued)
• GM 7.4L Truck / SUV (Discontinued)
• Chevy Camaro SS
• Ford F-150
• Ford 4.6L Mustang
• Ford 4.6L Cobra
• Ford Lightning/Harley Truck
• Ford GT Supercar
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Hi
What a great way to decide which system to buy from what you wrote! I have a 2015 Chevy Colorado with the 3.5 V6 short bed 4×4. My wife and I want to buy a trailer so we can take off to go camping with our 2 dogs.
I do not want the high reving type for racing brand but more torque to pull it up a mountain. Do you have suggested companies for us to research on?
Thanks
Dave
Dave we have one option available for the 2015 Colorado that we would suggest. The unit is 7200.00 plus labor for the installation.
Hi! this helped a lot, but i was wondering if you could give some more personal insight? i have a 1996 ford f150 with the 300 inline six, and i want to build this engine rather than swap it for a v8. im going to be working the truck a lot, with hauling and towing, so i need low rpm power, and high quality/reliability. i plan on doing custom intake/intercooler piping and custom mounts, so im looking at whipple twin screw superchargers. any thoughts?
We could supply you with an Eaton TVS1900 head unit for your project, definitely sounds like fun!
Hey Guys, I recently purchased a Chevy Silverado 3/4 ton 2500 series truck with the new 6.6 GAS engine. YES, You read that right a 6.6 GAS engine.
Are there currently or if not , WILL there be any superchargers produced by Whipple or any other manufacturer for this engine application in the near future ?
As of right now there is not an option available from any of the manufactures. Keep an eye on our social media and website for updates! Thanks for stopping by.
What is the quietest Lysholm supercharger?
I have yet to find one that is quiet.