Engine boosting, in the context of internal combustion engines, refers to methods of increasing an engine’s power output beyond its naturally aspirated capabilities. Boosting an engine involves introducing compressed air into the intake manifold, thereby increasing the mass of air available for combustion. This leads to a more complete combustion process, resulting in greater power and efficiency.
Engine boosting has been used for over a century, with early examples including superchargers and turbochargers. Superchargers use mechanical power from the engine to compress the intake air, while turbochargers utilize the exhaust gases to drive the compressor. Both methods effectively increase the air pressure in the intake manifold, leading to increased power output.
