Among the finest ways to boost your engine’s performance and horsepower is using a supercharger.
In addition, superchargers are directly driven by the engine, as opposed to turbochargers, which are fueled by exhaust gasses.
That is one of the reasons superchargers typically cost more than turbochargers. Let’s find out other reasons behind its expensiveness!
Why Are Superchargers So Expensive?
Superchargers are expensive because they’re very hard to build. In order to make a supercharger, manufacturers have to import its complicated components and have up-front capital for the design and engineering. In addition, superchargers are highly specialized and more difficult to develop, which leads to challenging labor, making superchargers so expensive.
Learn more about why superchargers are so expensive. Here are nine reasons to discover. Continue reading for further details!
1. Highly Specialized
The design of a supercharger is rather intricate.
Further, the majority of replacement superchargers must keep the same features as the original component, and those special features might not always transfer to a comparable supercharger.
That said, this specialization is possible within the same brand of car; even within the same automaker, various manufacturers may need very distinct superchargers.
2. Up-Front Expenses For Engineering And Design
Superchargers are more difficult to develop, prototype, test, manufacture, and inspect for quality than other, simpler auto parts, like an oil filter.
Whether it’s an OEM supercharger or a replacement part, all of these expenses end up showing into the final cost.
Therefore, any auto component made to rotate at up to 65,000 revolutions per minute won’t be inexpensive.
3. Supply And Demand
A new supercharger may cost two to three times as much as the original factory component, depending on the supercharger of the particular car.
In regards to pure supercharger availability, they are not as widely produced as they once were; in comparison to turbocharger production levels, supercharger production is on the decline.
As a result, price rises when supply gets more scarce and limited. Any automotive component, particularly one as specialized as a supercharger, is subject to the laws of supply and demand.
4. Challenging Labor
A supercharger cannot be installed in an hour or less. Depending on where you live, the cost of labor on its own for an 8-hour replacement of a supercharger can exceed $600.
In addition, the average shop worker earns $75 per hour. Labor costs are just one additional factor driving up the price of superchargers.
It is because most DIY workers lack the necessary training and specific instruments required to complete a supercharger replacement.
5. Boost Vehicle’s Performance Right Away
Supercharger producers are aware that car fans are willing to spend a hefty sum for immediate engine upgrades.
Also, superchargers decrease latency, increase tremendous horsepower, and include significant low RPM boost.
There aren’t any additional add-ons or parts that offer such an obvious engine improvement besides turbochargers and (to a minor extent) cooler air intakes.
6. Types Of Superchargers And Specially Built Superchargers
Twin-screw, centrifugal, and root superchargers are the three most common types. Cost is influenced by technology, and the kind of supercharger your car has will influence the final price.
Additionally, not every car has a supercharger when it leaves the factory. In reality, few cars do.
Custom-made parts could be required to make a new supercharger function on vehicles that don’t already have one.
7. Number Of Components Used
The supercharger requires several components to function properly, including an electric motor and an air intake system, among other things.
Further, superchargers are not just made up of one component or group of components. They have many different parts that work together to create the desired effect on performance.
Output levels and efficiency levels that are required for driving efficiently through traffic jams, hills or any other type of road conditions.
It is where you need better gas mileage or acceleration capabilities for your vehicle’s needs at any given time during your trip.
8. Imported Materials
They require more resources than other types of electric motors do (like those used in laptops and cell phones).
Superchargers need more power than regular ones do; that means more raw materials have to be mined for them or shipped across the country from overseas sources (which takes even longer).
9. Drives Powerful Electric Motor
The average price of a car is around $30,000. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who have to drive to work every day, this may seem like a lot to spend on a vehicle.
But it can be worth it if you’re able to make use of the latest technology in your next vehicle.
That’s where superchargers come into play. These are electric motors that allow cars to charge up quickly and efficiently while they’re driving down the road at highway speeds.
Also, they help reduce emissions and fuel consumption by providing an extra boost when you need it most.
To know more, you can also read our posts on why car manufacturers offer dealerships incentives, why wax is good for cars, and why replace cabin air filter.
Conclusion
The Supercharger network is a wonderful thing indeed, but it’s also one of Tesla’s most expensive endeavors yet.
Tesla’s goal is to build out a vast network of charging stations to service their goal of creating a more sustainable electric car.
Unfortunately, building these supercharger stations isn’t exactly cheap, which is why we are seeing widespread outrage across the Internet at the moment.