Forced induction systems, such as turbochargers, super chargers or nitrous oxide systems force air into the engine. Remember, more air means you can burn more fuel, which means more power. Forcing large amounts of air into an engine allows for a burst of fuel burning potential not realized by a normally aspirated engine.

Forced Induction Basics     

How do they work? In a normally aspirated engine, the vacuum properties of the engine plus the weight of the air act to push air into the intake manifold. Turbo and superchargers act like an air compressor. They draw in huge amounts of air, compress it and then force the oxygen-rich air into the engine so it is able to burn more fuel, thus producing more horsepower. Nitrous Oxide is a little different as the system forces oxygen-rich gases directly into the combustion chamber for use. 

Superchargers and turbochargers aren’t for older engines with a lot of wear and usage. It is recommended to have the engine rebuilt with fresh engine parts before installation. Fresh pistons, bearings, connecting rods, high performance valves, and valve springs will help the engine to continue working properly under the added stress of forced air induction.

Next we’ll go into more detail about each application and how it works so you can make an informed decision about adding a forced induction system to your ride.