1995 Eagle Vision Turbocharger, Supercharger and Ram Air

Forced Induction: Getting More Power From Every Drop of Fuel

Whether you're restoring lost boost pressure, chasing serious horsepower gains, or building a high-performance street machine from the ground up, forced induction components are among the most impactful upgrades you can make to any engine. Turbochargers, superchargers, and ram air systems all share a common goal: forcing more air into the combustion chamber so the engine can burn more fuel and generate significantly more power than its naturally aspirated displacement would otherwise allow.

Understanding the differences between these systems — and the supporting hardware that makes them work reliably — is key to making the right investment for your build.

Turbochargers, Superchargers, and Ram Air Explained

Turbochargers use exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn drives a compressor wheel that forces pressurized air into the intake. They are a popular choice for both OEM and aftermarket applications because they recover energy that would otherwise be lost out of the exhaust. Supercharger kits take a different approach, drawing power directly from the engine's crankshaft via a belt to drive the compressor — delivering boost with virtually no lag. Ram air systems use the vehicle's forward motion to force air into the intake at higher-than-ambient pressure, offering a simpler, passive approach to improving airflow.

Choosing between these systems depends on your goals, vehicle platform, and how you use the car. But regardless of the approach, the supporting components — from turbocharger cartridges to blow off valves and electronic boost controllers — are just as important as the primary unit itself. A properly functioning blow off valve protects the turbo from compressor surge under throttle lift, while a quality boost controller gives you precision authority over how much pressure the system delivers.

Top Brands in Turbochargers, Superchargers & Ram Air

Borg Warner is one of the most recognized names in turbocharger technology worldwide. Formed when well-known turbocharger producers 3K and Schwitzer merged, BorgWarner Turbo Systems has drawn upon a long tradition of advances in turbocharging technology, developing and producing turbochargers as far back as 1952. For every application — from Cummins to Duramax to Power Stroke, and from stock to four-digit horsepower — BorgWarner offers fixed geometry turbo options across the diesel aftermarket. Beyond their performance potential, BorgWarner turbos have long enjoyed a reputation for durability.

Turbosmart has been Australia's leading turbo performance brand since 1997. They specialize in the full ecosystem of boost management hardware, including wastegates, blow-off valves, and boost controllers. The Turbosmart Gated Boost Control Valve range is one of the best dollar-for-horsepower upgrades available for a turbocharged engine, featuring an exclusive Gate feature that minimizes wastegate creep and can improve turbo response up to 800 rpm earlier in the rev range.

GFB – Go Fast Bits is widely regarded for their innovative approach to blow-off and diverter valves. GFB carries the largest and smartest range of diverter and blow-off pressure relief valves on the market, from silent plumb-back types to atmosphere-venting dump valves. Their DV+ and VTA product lines are engineered to directly replace factory diverter valves, with GFB pioneering the use of "pilot operation" in the DV+, which works by re-purposing the factory solenoid to control pressure behind the piston, allowing for shorter solenoid stroke, faster response, and progressive piston movement that smooths boost transitions.

Speedmaster rounds out the top performers in this category with a focused lineup of supercharger and forced induction hardware, making them a go-to for enthusiasts building complete power adder packages. ACDelco brings OEM-level engineering standards to the aftermarket, offering reliable turbocharger components designed to meet factory specifications for a broad range of GM and other vehicles.

What to Consider When Shopping Forced Induction Parts

• Application fit: Always verify that any turbo, supercharger kit, or supporting component is rated for your specific engine displacement, power target, and fuel system capacity.
• Complete the system: A turbocharger upgrade is only as strong as its weakest link — budget for supporting mods including intercoolers, fuel injectors, and proper tuning.
• OEM replacement vs. performance upgrade: Turbocharger cartridges and complete units are available for direct OEM replacement as well as upgraded performance applications — clarify your goal before selecting.
• Boost management: Pairing any forced induction system with quality blow-off valves and boost controllers ensures both performance gains and long-term reliability.