Supercharger downfalls?

[5LiterBeater]

When we build a tune for these cars we optimize areas that aren't even "supercharger" related. So the cars pick up MPG's while just driving down the road, under normal usage.

Can anyone explain how fuel economy could be improved by adding a supercharger?

I'm sure they will go into greater detail about adjusting AFR's and timing, but you get the gist.

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[ProChargerTECH]

Downfalls.......hmm.......

Maybe the need to buy more tires.

Best post ever.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

I'm sure they will go into greater detail about adjusting AFR's and timing, but you get the gist.

So the supercharger does not help fuel economy (likely hurts it) but the fact that you are getting a tune at the same time does?

 

[ProChargerTECH]

So the supercharger does not help fuel economy (likely hurts it) but the fact that you are getting a tune at the same time does?

Not exactly.

The tune helps some,
The blower taking the load off the engines air intake, helps some.

Add them together and BOOM more mpgs.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

The blower taking the load off the engines air intake,

Is there an easy explanation?
Just thinking about air flow and efficiency it seems like there would have to be a net loss.

 

[ProChargerTECH]

Is there an easy explanation?
Just thinking about air flow and efficiency it seems like there would have to be a net loss.

Increasing the efficiency of an area the motor isn't very efficient.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

Increasing the efficiency of an area the motor isn't very efficient.

Got curious so I looked around on the internet. The subject (+ or - fuel economy) seems to have inspired a lot of debate over the years.

My take from what I could find so far is:
If you have an old motor (no computers, injectors, or sensors) then there was a time when it was possible to gain mileage by putting the engine at a more efficient operating point.
With a new mustang you are going to lose milage due to the parasitic loss of adding an additional constant load without gaining any efficiency.

If you are looking to spend big bucks to add the horsepower then you probably do not care a great deal .

 

[ProChargerTECH]

Got curious so I looked around on the internet. The subject (+ or - fuel economy) seems to have inspired a lot of debate over the years.

I have not seen one of our systems decrease milage on any application they are placed onto. However some make much larger gains then others.

Again, this isn't something we are just talking about and hoping nobody calls us out. This is also coming from our customers and their testimonials.

 

[AdrianMAK]

I think everyone is trying to overthink this too much...

Add a blower, which makes the engine operate more efficiently than in its stock state, in turn getting better MPG. Anytime you can increase efficiency, you will increase MPG.

Blower = Better Efficiency = Better MPG
so
Blower = Better MPG

I can attest to that. In my particular case I gained 2MPG on the highway with the Procharger as opposed to without. I usually do my comparisions with the same 500 mile trip that I make to Orlando from Miami various times a year.

Before the blower I was at 21.3MPG @ 80-85mph.
After the blower I was at 23.0MPG @ 80-85mph.

I also sell and install Prochargers a plenty in the shop and as Procharger states, I have yet to have a customer tell me they lost MPG.(At least when they are driving it normal, that initial "I just got a blower" spirited driving MPG number is usually in the single digits. )

 

[USPSALIMITED]

Before the blower I was at 21.3MPG @ 80-85mph.
After the blower I was at 23.0MPG @ 80-85mph.

Tune ?

Other thing - I assume that this is what the car dash displays and not what you have actually measured via odometer & fuel pump. It makes sense that if the car is calculating fuel flow off of 'injector on' time, then a blower (increased back pressure to the injectors), or a tune ('lying' about injector on time?), would make the car read optimistic.

 

[ProChargerTECH]

(At least when they are driving it normal, that initial "I just got a blower" spirited driving MPG number is usually in the single digits. )

This is a true statement. Low MPG's and Bald tires.

 

[Strokerswild]

Can anyone explain how fuel economy could be improved by adding a supercharger?

The truly correct answer here is improved scavenging.

 

[EngineerDave]

Here's some basic SuperCharger questions that I have regarding them:

What sort of maintenance is required on the ProCharger style systems?

Do they require oil changes and such like other Supers I've seen for other cars? How do they handle long road trips (700+ miles) do they overheat/have issues with CAI on long distance driving like that?

How do they handle the cold? Are 0 or sub-zero starts an issue for blowers?

If you plan on driving the car over long distances at a time, should one opt away from a CAI? (I've seen it said that depending on the CAI, extended driving can cause problems.)

 

[USPSALIMITED]

The truly correct answer here is improved scavenging.

That one is interesting to think about.

 

[USPSALIMITED]

Here's some basic SuperCharger questions that I have regarding them:

What sort of maintenance is required on the ProCharger style systems?

Do they require oil changes and such like other Supers I've seen for other cars? How do they handle long road trips (700+ miles) do they overheat/have issues with CAI on long distance driving like that?

How do they handle the cold? Are 0 or sub-zero starts an issue for blowers?

If you plan on driving the car over long distances at a time, should one opt away from a CAI? (I've seen it said that depending on the CAI, extended driving can cause problems.)

And, do they make throttle response on slick roads any more touchy?

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