Superchargers are the Holy Grail for a lot of street car enthusiasts. They look great, sound incredible, and best of all, add insane amounts of power to your ride. For over 30 years, ProCharger has been building the kind of power adders that you can base an entire hot rod around.

The problem — and it’s a good problem — is you have to decide what is the best supercharger for your particular application, then dial in the ancillary pieces, like an intercooler, blow-off valve, etc.

Thankfully, since its first offerings in 1994, ProCharger Superchargers has been at the cutting edge of centrifugal blower technology, especially when it comes to intercooled street kits.

Whether it is for street, strip, or some combination of the two, ProCharger probably has a complete kit for your late-model vehicle.

If your project is older, carbureted, or something truly unusual, ProCharger can sell you a kit that will make adding a ton of horsepower easier than you ever imagined. You can easily add one of its blowers to your carbureted muscle machine, whether it is a small-block, big-block, flathead or Studebaker — you name, ProCharger can supercharger it.

From compressor wheel design to intercooling, ProCharger has a long history of introducing novel supercharger features to the industry. If you are in a place where emissions compliance is mandated, click here for a list of 50-state-legal offerings.

It’s never been easier to bolt on massive amounts of horsepower with a supercharger, but there are always going to be questions that arise. With that in mind, we reached out to our sources at ProCharger and came up with this list of the top seven tech questions they get asked on a regular basis. We appreciate them taking time out of their incredibly busy work days to help us with this story.

Q: What are the pros and cons of a dedicated belt vs. a shared belt? When should I use one over the other?

A: A shared belt uses the factory serpentine system to drive both the supercharger and
accessories. It offers more compact packaging and is often easier to install, making it a great fit for street builds and daily drivers. A dedicated belt system drives only the supercharger and is separate from your vehicle’s accessory belt. This setup is ideal for high-boost or racing applications, because it can perform better in terms of belt grip under high horsepower applications, and allows for more pulley/belt options.

Q: When should my supercharger belt have a higher rib count?

A: For most street-driven supercharged builds, a 6-rib belt provides adequate grip. The more power you’re pushing and the more boost you’re making, the more tension is placed on the belt. A higher rib count (for example, 8-rib or 10-rib) offers more surface area and grip to prevent belt slip under load. If you’re running elevated boost levels, racing, or have high RPM targets, upgrading to a higher-rib belt can be a smart move.

Q: What are the pros and cons of helical gears versus standard straight-cut gears in a ProCharger gearbox?

A: Helical gears are angled and offer quieter operation, making them ideal for street cars or builds where cabin comfort matters. Standard (straight-cut) gears are louder, especially at idle. There is no difference in the performance or durability of the ProCharger unit. The noise from the gears is a unique sound, different from the “whoosh” people often associate with the blow-off valve in ProCharger set-ups. Some people like the gear noise, other people prefer quieter gear noise. It’s a personal preference.

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Q: What blow-off valve should I use and why?

A: Your blow-off valve selection depends on your build’s boost level, horsepower target, and desired “whoosh” noises.

For most street builds, the ProFlow or Bullet valves are more than sufficient and the
Race valve can be used for extra loud whoosh noises.

For high-horsepower or race applications, consider the ProCharger Race or Competition
valves for maximum airflow and quick response. The right valve ensures smooth throttle transitions and protects your blower and charge piping from pressure spikes.

Q: How do I choose the correct ProCharger head unit for my build?

A: Choosing the right blower depends on your horsepower goals, engine type, usage (street or track), and available space. Our technical sales team can help you match the perfect
unit—whether you’re building a daily driver, drag car, or off-road beast. Start by knowing your target RWHP and ProCharger’s techs can guide you from there.

Q: How should I evaluate the different intercooler options?

A: Intercooler size, placement, and type affect both charge air cooling and overall engine
performance. Lower intake temps mean more power and less risk of detonation — especially in hot climates or high-boost builds. For most street car applications, a front-mount air-to-air intercooler offers a great balance of performance, fitment, and simplicity-of-install.

ProCharger’s R&D process allows us to identify the optimal size intercooler for a given
application and supercharger system combination, with upgrade options for higher
horsepower goals. When packaging is an issue, which we often see in engine swaps, an air-to-water integrated intake manifold is a smart solution. ProCharger’s line of integrated intake manifolds are highly effective, compact, and beautifully designed — perfect for the race track and car shows.

For track or race use, there are three solid options, each having pros and cons:
1. Larger or Race-Style Air-to-Air Intercoolers
Pros: Simple and reliable. No pumps, tanks, or moving parts — just airflow. That makes for fewer potential failure points. It’s also low maintenance and lighter weight, because there is no added weight from fluids and once installed, it requires almost no attention between runs. This style of intercooler is excellent for open track/road racing or off-road scenarios where there’s constant vehicle movement and airflow.

Cons: Large cores can require substantial space up front, which can be a challenge in tight
engine bays. And the intercooling effectiveness drops when airflow is limited, like in staging lanes or during hot lapping.

2. Water-to-Air Intercoolers
Pros: Great cooling effectiveness, because water absorbs heat faster than air, making these
systems extremely efficient under load. Since cores can be placed closer to the throttle body and blower, it offers more compact fitment with reduced piping length, lower pressure drops, and more consistent Intake Air Temperatures (IAT), which is especially beneficial during back-to-back passes or track sessions.

Cons: These systems require a water pump, reservoir, and plumbing, which are more parts to install and maintain. Water adds weight, and routing components can be tricky in tight builds. The water can eventually get heat-soaked during long or back-to-back sessions without enough cooldown time or airflow.

3. Ice Water-to-Air Intercoolers (Drag Racing Focus)
Pros: Ice water provides the coldest possible intake temps, allowing for aggressive tuning and max power. These are ideal for drag racing passes where you can refill the ice reservoir and control temps precisely each time.

Cons: These systems are designed strictly for one-and-done type passes and are, generally, not suitable for continuous or long-duration use. Ice has to be replenished before each pass, adding prep time. And large tanks and additional hardware must be accounted for, both in terms of packaging and weight distribution. Depending on your specific application, we’ll help you evaluate what fits best with your bumper, airflow, and cooling goals. You can also add ice water to air intercoolers here as well.

Q: How do I test a surge valve (blow-off valve) to make sure it’s working correctly?

A: A properly functioning surge valve (also known as a blow-off valve) is essential for protecting your supercharger and maintaining drivability. To test it, start the vehicle and let it idle. The valve should be open at idle. With the engine running, quickly apply full throttle and rev the engine while listening for a distinct “whoosh” or venting sound when you lift off the throttle (you can also watch the valve quickly close and reopen)—this indicates the valve is operating correctly.

For a more hands-on test, you can apply vacuum to the valve’s reference port using a handheld vacuum pump. The valve should open smoothly under vacuum and hold open until the vacuum is released. If it sticks, leaks, or fails to actuate, check for vacuum leaks, damage, or debris. If needed, contact ProCharger tech support for further diagnosis or replacement options.