Supercharger (THUNDERBIRD & Cougar): Operation
The supercharger system is a blow-through type with the fuel injected directly into the intake ports. The supercharger is a belt driven off the crankshaft through the idler pulley. The throttle body controls the amount of intake air to the supercharger through the inlet plenum. Air from the supercharger is routed through the intercooler, then to the intake manifold. The resulting denser air charge in the combustion chamber provides for a high power output of the engine over a non-supercharged engine of the same displacement.
At partial-throttle opening or when vacuum is present in the intake system, a vacuum controlled bypass valve reroutes some discharged air from the supercharger back through the intake plenum. This prevents the supercharger from cavitating, causing reduced performance, increased temperatures, and poor economy.