Have you ever wondered what makes the signature sound of American muscle cars? That screeching noise sounds like an angry cat and occurs every time you step on the accelerator, regardless of the situation. It’s due to the supercharger, which is essentially an air compressor. And, of course, it performs the same function as a turbo, but the procedure is carried out differently.
ProCharger and Whipple are two American companies that supply superchargers for drag racing and muscle cars.
Although they serve the same function, the two types of superchargers work independently in terms of transmitting air to the intake cycle. Therefore, understanding the difference between centrifugal and twin-screw versions can help you resolve the dispute, ProCharger Vs Whipple.
What is a Procharger?
A procharger is a device that forces air through the intake and exhaust valves of an engine. They use a turbocharger to force air into the engine, which increases power and efficiency. A turbocharger is a common form of supercharging that uses the engine’s exhaust gases to spin a turbine to force more air into the intake manifold by the compressor.
What Drives A Supercharger?
Unlike a turbocharger, which is driven by exhaust gases, a supercharger is driven by the mechanical energy produced by the engine. This implies that it is always on, regardless of whether the engine is at low or high rpm. Obviously, this can be a major advantage over a turbocharger, but it also has drawbacks that are unfavorable to the engine.
As you might expect, the main advantage of a supercharger is its fast response. This means no latency and no supercharger load, both common complaints about turbochargers. Mechanical power is produced by connecting a bearing band that links the crankshaft (engine rotation or rpm) to the supercharger rotors. While this may sound like a dream come true, it can be very dangerous and exhausting. Why? Remember that a supercharger pushes denser, compressed air into the engine.
As a result, internal components wear out faster, decreasing the overall life of the powertrain. It should also be noted that there are mechanical losses as a result of the direct belt connection to the crankshaft. These losses can be compensated by the boost produced by the supercharger, but this does not fully compensate for the overall efficiency.
How Is The Air Cooled?
Another advantage of the supercharger is cooling, as all this compressed air immediately causes a temperature difference and must therefore be cooled before entering the engine.
The intercooler is located at the bottom of the supercharger, however, unlike a turbo intercooler, it is liquid-cooled, as it would not make sense to bring the air to the front of the vehicle and then return it to the engine.
This advantage has ramifications, as a pump, piping, and coolant storage are required for an efficient full cycle. On the other hand, this cooling system weighs about the same as a turbocharger.
ProCharger Vs Whipple [Supercharger Basics]
ProChargers and Superchargers are classified into two types: positive displacement and centrifugal systems, each of which has distinct benefits over the other.
How Does A Procharger Work
Procharger is the brand name for a centrifugal supercharger, which works differently than a standard supercharger and provides a constant flow of air to your car.
A procharger employs an impeller, which is a rotating device that draws in the air by spinning at high speeds. As air enters the center of the impeller, it is cyclically dispersed outward by a strong centrifugal force, where it is converted to high pressure by a diffuser. This pushes air into the motor as a continuous flow rather than in bursts, resulting in not only higher power, but also smoother power with no lag or bursts.
Note that while a procharger may initially be more expensive than a Whipple, a Whipple can wreck your fuel efficiency, resulting in high gasoline costs. The procharger does not use as much gasoline as the Whipple, so gasoline prices gradually increase.
Whipple Model, How Does It Work?
Only recently has the twin-screw design been introduced into the positive displacement product range. It consists of two blades that are skillfully braided together to mimic helical gears. Upon reaching the rear of the vehicle, the air is forced through the supercharger and compressed internally between the male and female rotors.
The male head rotates clockwise, while the female head rotates counterclockwise, in order to screw (push) the air towards the front of the machine. It is in these rotors that the compressed air remains until the motor needs charge air.
As long as there is sufficient air available, the output is cold, dense air with no parasitic losses. All this contributes to a greater sense of authority.
Conclusion
Both ProChargers and Whipples have the same goal: to increase engine performance. ProCharger units may not be your preferred type in all circumstances if you want to drive at high RPM.
The Whipple system, in contrast to the ProCharger, does not rely on high RPM to achieve substantial improvements. They are excellent for providing a boost to your engine’s performance.
