Have you ever thought about what gives muscle cars their distinct sound? That screaming noise, reminiscent of an agitated cat. This is because of the supercharger, which functions as a miniature air compressor.
And it serves the same purpose as a turbocharger but uniquely; for instance, when your foot is on the gas pedal, regardless of where you are or what circumstance you are in, what you hear is the high-pitched screech from under the hood!
The killer feature of these compressors is that they do not stop if their oil becomes too hot since heat can be dissipated via fins while continuing to operate at its maximum capacity unless anything goes wrong inside. They also can produce the same power at any moment without much danger.
There is much disagreement among car enthusiasts; even in online forums, you can see threads, show posts, and comments about which is superior. Procharger and Whipple are two different American companies that produce superchargers or air intake systems that employ twin-screw action or centrifugal supercharger force to transport compressed air into the intake cycle.
Although they have similarities, they significantly vary regarding performance-related factors such as good power distribution. Understanding this distinction might help you choose between Procharger vs. Whipple!
Table of Contents
What Is A Supercharger?
A supercharger is a technology that is featured in the majority of modern automobiles. It utilizes the mechanical energy generated by the engine to provide the intake manifold with compressed air, increasing the amount of oxygen available for burning and so improving performance!
A turbocharger has gained popularity since it is powered by exhaust gases instead of the engine’s power. Turbocharging, however, has some drawbacks since this kind of equipment needs much more frequent maintenance to avoid breaking or overheating from all of its great functions.
A supercharger is among the most effective methods of increasing your ride’s horsepower. Supercharged engines have no delay or lag, rendering them very speedy and reactive; they also have no lag time during operation due to the absence of turbo-lag. Yeah! A typical concern of even a daily driver.
Mechanical energy for a supercharger is generated by attaching a bearing band that connects the crankshaft to the supercharger’s male and female rotors. This means that you will never have to wait while running your car!
However, there are several drawbacks: mechanical deterioration may be excessive if not maintained frequently, and weariness can develop after extended periods of use owing to fighting over gravitational force by compressing air into the intake manifold and to the engine.
Because of its direct belt connection among components, each of them experiences higher wear and friction. This significantly reduces their life expectancy.
Internal powertrain components also suffer additional mechanical failures due to this system. These failures can be compensated with a supercharger boost, but not entirely, as you are sacrificing general efficiency to generate power from the engine, which could or may or may not also underperform at some point!
Air Cooling
There are several advantages to a supercharger against a turbo, including cooling. The compressor’s compressed air generates an instantaneous temperature difference and should be cooled before reaching the engine.
The intercoolers used with turbocharged engines are situated in front of the car to shorten the lag time from intake and compression; nevertheless, it makes little sense for folks who use turbos to return all that cold air to the engines; simply to cool it again!
Superchargers include liquid-cooled intercoolers into their base, making more sense since they keep everything smooth and cool when cruising around or on your long drive.
Its cooling system is very efficient. It also weighs about the same as a turbocharger and needs circulation pumps and pipes to circulate coolant around the engine block – all of which can be rather loud while functioning.
Procharger vs. Whipplecharger Basics
Prochargers and Whipple superchargers are defined into two distinct types: the positive displacement systems and the centrifugal systems. The positive displacement systems provide several advantages over centrifugal systems.
Positive displacement is a term that refers to a system that works by expelling air or fluid from a confined space to produce a vacuum on the opposite side of the device, for example, the vacuum cleaner in your vehicle.
There is more power with this sort of supercharger since it has been demonstrated to enhance torque by up to 25%. Additionally, it can function at low rpm or speeds than its rival without compromising significant efficiency. Therefore installation requires no extra modifications!
Even though both kinds of superchargers serve the same function, they operate differently to supply air into the intake cycle. Thus, comprehending the distinctions among twin-screw models and centrifugal can assist in resolving frequent disputes in the forum community dedicated to the Prochargers and Whipple superchargers owners and fans. A quick outline is provided below.
Procharger
- Excellent for racing, as well as daily road driving.
- Excellent performance at high revs or RPMs
- Lower performance at low revs or RPMs
- Low temps of discharge
- Straightforward installation
Whipple Supercharger
- Suitable for street driving, towing, and drag racing.
- Excellent performance at low revs or RPMs
- Steady (Flat) power curve for low & high revs or RPMs
- Expensive
- Installation takes much time
Procharger Model: How Does It Work?
Procharger models are centrifugal superchargers that offer continuous airflow to your vehicle in a distinct method from that of a conventional supercharger. Procharger units use impellers, a spinning mechanism that captures air by revolving rapidly.
As the impellers approach this central point, they circularly scatter outwardly with great force that generates power while being transformed into highly pressured air flows via the diffuser and into the engine for faster and smoother acceleration without lag or bursts of power distribution.
At first glance, the procharger setup may seem to be a pricey option, but in fact, it is the most cost-effective option. A Whipple setup may wreak havoc on your fuel economy and result in greater fuel expenses than if any of these auxiliary motors were fitted instead.
Because the pro charger consumes little gas during operation, although an initial investment is required for installation, all subsequent expenditures are offset by savings on gas consumption–providing both lengthy financial stability and peace of mind!
Whipple Supercharger Model: How Does It Work?
The positive displacement line of products now includes a twin-screw configuration in the Whipple system. It comprises two braiding blades resembling helical gears and can be seen in action on contemporary automobiles as they reach the rear end. When they reach this phase, the air is driven through them, compressing it internally among male and female rotors until every available space is used, giving your car plenty of power.
The male and female rotor heads revolve in oppositional ways to force air into the machine’s front. The compressed air is maintained until charged by the motors that are powered when needed, guaranteeing a consistent stream of cold packed fresh, clean, smooth production.
Performance
The engine’s compressed air is hotter than regular air. The supercharger controls the amount of heat contained in the intake air. Increased heat leads to decreased power.
The power component is contingent upon; how cold the airflow delivered to the engine via the compressor could be maintained and how much pressure drop can be prevented. pro charger
The intake air from a Procharger system must be colder than the intake air from a Whipple system to maintain the same boost pressure. As a result, power output will rise significantly.
Boost Pressure
The vehicle’s engine powers a Procharger; this implies that the car’s RPMs determine the compressor’s power. On the other hand, a supercharger utilizes a high compressor velocity to generate useable boost pressure. As a result, lower engine RPMs will generate less boost pressure.
On the flip side, a Whipple supercharger pushes more significant air than the capacity of your engine. This specific step guarantees that the engine maintains a steady boost pressure regardless of the engine RPMs.
A centrifugal supercharger cannot produce considerable power until low RPMs, yet a positive displacement model operates admirably in this scenario. While a Whipple model may have a flattened boost curve and a somewhat similar torque curve, you will get the sensation of having a bigger engine.
Maximum Boost
Both Procharger and Whipple offer a comparable overall power output at minimal boost settings. But, at more significant boost pressures, the Whipple produces more power owing to its bigger (71.5mm) impeller diameter – roughly 10% larger over (65mm) the procharger (65mm). Therefore, Whipple units have a greater output capacity than Procharger units at a comparable pressure level.
Durability
Prochargers are renowned for their durability and dependability, but Whipple superchargers are not as robust.
Turbine Housing Components
Procharger turbochargers use an aluminum turbine shell that is more lasting than the cast iron housing used by Whipples.
Noise
Certain Whipple units can be installed above the engine. Twin-screw units are supposed to create an unsettling amount of noise. On the other hand, Whipple employs extensive noise reduction techniques to silence the whining generated by compressed air exiting the discharge outlet.
A ProCharger is usually mounted on the front of an engine. As you rev up, you’ll hear a whining noise that serves as a stimulant instead of impairing your hearing.
Installation and Fitting
Since engine bays are more congested than in the older cars, Whipple units are more familiar with drivers of six or eight-cylinder vehicles. The majority of Proharger models are often placed on the front of an engine and built in such a manner that they can be mounted independently away from your vehicle’s intake manifold. Meanwhile, specific Whipple units can be mounted atop the engine.
Cost
The pricing is determined by the brand/model of your vehicle. However, Whipples are often more expensive due to the increased accuracy and effort required during the production process of the twin-screw rotors.
You’ll need between $5,500 up to $8,000 plus installation for a Procharger unit. Whipple units run around $5,700 up to $10,000, not including the expense of installation, which can be greater due to the extra hours of labor necessary.
Conclusion
Procharger vs Whipple, their objective is the same; to increase your engine’s power to its top performance. Therefore, you should examine the amount of boost that the variety of superchargers can provide. You are well aware that you cannot constantly drive through the neighborhood and the streets at constant high revs or RPMs. As a result, Procharger units might not always be your preferred kind.
In contrast to Procharger models, the Whipple systems don’t focus on higher RPMs to provide an additional boost. They effectively provide a boost that doesn’t decline when the RPM decreases. We are hoping this article provided you with the necessary points you’re looking for! Best of luck!
FAQs
Which is better ProCharger or Whipple?
Procharger units are not always the best choice if you intend to run at high revs or high speeds. The Whipple supercharger does not depend on higher RPM to generate significant benefits. They are suitable for increasing the boost and performance of your engine.
How much HP does a Whipple add?
How much horsepower does a Whipple supercharger add to the engine? That actually depends on what car or engine you’re planning to install one. For instance, in a Mustang GT, Whipple supercharger kits increase the horsepower by up to 300hp.
