Supercharger Kit

What Is a Supercharger Kit?

A supercharger kit is one of the most direct and impactful ways to extract significantly more power from an internal combustion engine. Unlike naturally aspirated engines that rely on atmospheric pressure alone, a supercharger compresses the incoming air charge before it enters the cylinders. More compressed air means more fuel can be burned per combustion cycle, resulting in dramatic increases in both horsepower and torque — often without requiring major internal engine modifications.

Supercharger kits are sold as comprehensive packages that typically include the supercharger unit itself, intake manifold, drive pulleys and belts, brackets, intercooler piping, gaskets, and all necessary hardware — everything needed for a complete installation on a specific engine platform. Some kits also bundle ECU calibration software or tuning files, making the upgrade more accessible to the home mechanic and weekend racer alike.

Types of Superchargers

Not all superchargers work the same way, and understanding the differences helps you choose the right kit for your goals:

• Roots-Style (Positive Displacement): The classic blower look — sits on top of the intake manifold and delivers instant, linear boost at low RPM. Great for street rods, drag applications, and traditional muscle car builds.
• Twin-Screw (Positive Displacement): Similar mounting to Roots-style but uses meshing helical rotors for more efficient air compression and lower heat generation. Popular in modern OEM-style forced induction systems.
• Centrifugal: Driven by a belt and uses a high-speed impeller to compress air — boost builds progressively with RPM, much like a turbocharger. Compact and efficient, making it a favorite for sports car and import platforms.

Key Considerations When Shopping for a Supercharger Kit

Before selecting a kit, consider your engine platform, horsepower goals, fuel system capability, and whether the kit is emissions-compliant in your state. Intercooling is another critical factor — high boost levels generate heat, and kits with integrated charge air coolers or heat exchangers help maintain consistent power, especially during extended runs on the track. Always verify that the kit is designed specifically for your engine family, as vehicle-specific fitment ensures correct bracket geometry, belt routing, and software calibration.

Top Supercharger Kit Brands

Speedmaster is a go-to source for classic Roots-style 6-71 supercharger kits targeting popular American V8 platforms like the Small Block Chevy, LS1, LS3, and Ford 351 Cleveland. Their complete blower kits feature polished aluminum cases, precision double-pinned three-lobe rotors, heavy-duty bearing plates, and all necessary drive hardware — delivering estimated gains of 45–55% over stock horsepower in street and competition applications.

Roush Performance is renowned for its Ford-focused supercharger systems, particularly for the Mustang GT and F-150. Roush kits leverage Eaton TVS twin-screw technology and are engineered for OEM-level fitment, offering Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 tiers that scale from everyday drivability all the way to 810 horsepower — many backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile limited powertrain warranty when installed by a certified technician.

HKS brings Japanese engineering precision to the supercharger market with its GT and GT2 centrifugal supercharger kits, targeting popular import and sports car platforms like the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, Honda S2000, and Mazda MX-5. HKS developed its GT Supercharger line specifically to be compact, quiet, and emissions-conscious — overcoming traditional positive-displacement drawbacks like noise, weight, and high-RPM inefficiency.

Edelbrock is a legendary name in American performance with decades of experience in forced induction. Their supercharger kits are trusted for strong low-end torque delivery and broad compatibility across classic and modern domestic engine platforms, making them a perennial favorite among hot rodders and muscle car enthusiasts.

VMP Performance specializes in high-output Ford Mustang and F-150 supercharger systems, with a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what the Modular and Coyote engine families can produce. VMP's kits are particularly popular among dedicated enthusiasts seeking serious power levels on the Ford platform.