What Is a Whipple Supercharger, and Why Does It Beat the Competition?
Short answer: A Whipple is a twin-screw supercharger. It compresses air inside the unit before pushing it into the engine, which means boost arrives the instant you touch the throttle instead of building with engine speed.
That is the practical difference between a Whipple and the two other common types, Roots and centrifugal.
Most people have heard the word supercharger without ever being told what one actually does, or why one costs more than another. Here is the short course, and where the Whipple fits.
What is a Whipple on a car?
A Whipple is a brand of twin-screw supercharger. Two meshing rotors squeeze the air down as it travels through the housing, so the air is already compressed by the time it reaches the intake. Because compression happens inside the unit rather than in the intake manifold, a Whipple makes usable boost at low rpm and holds it across the range.
In plain terms: you get the shove right off idle, not at 4,000 rpm.
How a supercharger works
A supercharger is an air compressor driven by the engine. It raises the density of the air entering the engine, which lets the engine burn more fuel, which makes more power. Bolt one to an ordinary motor and it behaves like a bigger motor. What separates one supercharger from another is how it compresses that air.
The three types of supercharger, compared
| Type | How it compresses | Boost delivery | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roots | Does not compress internally; it pumps air into the manifold | Strong low-end, abrupt | Least efficient, bulky, sharp throttle response |
| Centrifugal | Belt-driven impeller, much like a turbo | Builds with rpm | Little boost down low; install often means moving other parts |
| Twin-screw (Whipple) | Compresses internally between two rotors | Instant, and flat across the range | Costs more than a comparable Roots unit |
Roots-type supercharger
The oldest design and the one most often fitted at the factory. It works like a pump, moving air into the engine rather than compressing it on the way. It is simple and it makes good low-end power, but it is the least efficient of the three, it takes up room, and the throttle response can be abrupt.
Centrifugal supercharger
A belt off the crankshaft spins an impeller, which is why a centrifugal behaves a lot like a turbocharger. It is efficient and compact. The catch is that boost climbs with engine speed, so there is not much happening at low rpm, and fitting one often means relocating other components.
Twin-screw supercharger
Invented in the 1930s by Alf Lysholm and still called a Lysholm unit by some, the twin-screw was designed to sit between the other two. It compresses internally like a centrifugal, but it is a positive displacement design like a Roots, so it makes boost immediately. That combination is why it is the layout Whipple builds on.
Why we usually recommend the Whipple
Whether you are cruising, towing, or at the track, a Whipple supercharger gives you the response when you ask for it. Because boost is there immediately, power is available through the whole rpm range rather than only at the top. What owners tend to notice:
- Boost from just off idle
- Compact for the power it makes
- Quiet compared with a Roots unit
- Positive displacement design
It is not the cheapest way to add power. If your budget is the priority, a bolt-on package gets you part of the way for a lot less, and we will say so rather than sell you the bigger part.
Thinking about forced induction?
Tell us the vehicle and what you want out of it, and we will tell you which of the three makes sense for your budget. See supercharger installation in Rowlett.
Where to get a supercharger installed in Rowlett, TX
A supercharger is only as good as the install. Fuelling, tuning, cooling and the supporting parts all have to keep up, or you have bought horsepower you cannot use safely. Our team handles supercharger installs and the supporting work that goes with them.
We fit Whipple units regularly, and we also fit Roots and centrifugal kits when those suit the build better. Tell us what the vehicle is for and we will match the part to the job.
Call us at 469-501-5115 or get in touch. You can also stop by at 3002 Century Dr, Rowlett, TX 75088.
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