Okay, you’ve decided that your vehicle is not fast enough, and you need the kind of horsepower that only a supercharger can deliver. But now, you’re left with two critical decisions: What type of supercharger should you get? And, what brand should you get? Of course, these questions always lead into the gearhead rabbit hole, but let’s figure it out.
Centrifugal, Roots & Twin Screw Blowers
There are 3 main types of superchargers: centrifugal blowers, Roots blowers and twin-screw blowers. They each have their plusses and minuses, just like they each have their champions and decriers. Here’s a macro-level overview:
Centrifugal Blower
- Mechanically driven off crankshaft
- Dynamic compression type
- Boost pressure increases with engine RPM
- Accelerates air and exchanges the velocity by diffusing the pressure
- Mid- to high-priced superchargers
Roots Blower
- Mechanically driven off crankshaft
- External compression type
- Boost pressure stays fixed at all RPM
- The lowest priced superchargers
Twin Screw Blower
- Mechanically driven off crankshaft
- Internal compression type
- Boost pressure increases with engine RPM
- The most expensive of superchargers
Paxton vs. Vortech
Next, is the bigger question: What brand of supercharger kit do you choose? Today, there is no shortage of companies selling superchargers. There are five that are most popular with enthusiasts, and two that have been battling it out for years—Paxton vs Vortech. Both brands come as a complete bolt-on kit and both get rave reviews from their rabid enthusiast base. But, there are a few differences:
Vortech Supercharger
- Founded in 1990
- Based on centrifugal and twin screw designs
- Best design for high-end torque
- Kits usually do not include an intercooler
- Best for racing
Paxton Supercharger
- Founded in 1937
- Based on centrifugal and Roots configuration
- Roots is the best design for low-end torque
- All kits include an intercooler
- Best for towing and hauling
What's the Right Supercharger for You?
So, the blower type you choose depends on the type of boost you want—low-end, high-end or steady. Roots delivers high boost at low RPM, centrifugal delivers high boost at high RPM and the twin-screw stays even across the power band. And, when it comes to your side in the Vortech vs Paxton brand battle, that all depends on your brand loyalty, your racing buddies and your wallet.
