Best Supercharger for Jeep JK & Buyers Guide (2020)

What's more, we've gone ahead and reviewed a handful of our favorite products to get you headed in the right direction. The following reviews include five of our top supercharger for Jeep JK, TJ, and YJ Jeep Wranglers.

Superchargers offer a power-boosting solution to conservative stock engines. They provide increased horsepower, prevent lag, and produce a low RPM boost. What's more, superchargers reduce the amount of smoke in a vehicle's exhaust gases, as more of the fuel/air mixture is pushed into the cylinders where it fully combusts.

Superchargers are also a cost-effective solution to giving your vehicle a power boost. Meanwhile, some drivers may even see an increase in their miles per gallon stats. While many people believe that superchargers are for the race track, they provide solid drivability in normal operating conditions. Since most models fit snuggly under a stock hood, they're a discreet element.

Jeeps are an ideal candidate for these octane-boosting systems. These off-road vehicles are often pushed to their limits between off-road adventures and backcountry treks. For many, the choice between a supercharger and turbocharger comes down to the fact that mechanically-fed systems offer less lag and a higher boost at lower RPMs (revolutions per minute).

On the downside, not all superchargers are street legal. In fact, many of them will not pass state-required emissions tests. What's more, installing one of these systems often voids a vehicle warranty. Nevertheless, when compared to turbocharge systems, superchargers are more likely to pass the test. Not to mention, you can potentially install one of these in less than two days. If you're concerned about a supercharger's emission rating, whether it be for environmental or registration reasons, look for a pending or approved C.A.R.B. rating. This is the California Air Resources Board's quality and control system. You have less of a headache come testing time and can pat yourself on the back for improving air quality.

It's a no-brainer that car parts should be cross-referenced for vehicle compatibility. Before shopping for superchargers, consider the make, model, and year of your Jeep JK. Keep in mind that supercharge kits and blowers are referencing their compatibility with stock parts only. Beyond that, think about whether your stock engine provided solid power and torque at low-end RPMs. If this is the case, you may want to consider a centrifugal supercharger.

Some blower kits are easier to install than others. For example, root-type superchargers are designed in a way that they often interfere with stock hoods. This can add an unexpected cost to the price of installation. What's more, centrifugal blowers are extremely complicated and almost always require the help of an automotive professional. Lastly, twin-screw superchargers are usually compact and can be installed by DIY mechanics with a good depth of mechanical knowledge.

Labor time for a less complicated system is estimated to be between six to 12 hours. While purchasing your parts from a private dealer or directly from the manufacturer can save you money, the cost of labor for some garages can be quite steep.

Be sure to check out the projected improvement in torque, power, and efficiency. Torque is measured in foot-pounds. Multiply torque by an engines RPMs and you get horsepower. A supercharger can increase your stock engine's projected horsepower by 50 to 100 percent.

Another metric to consider is the distance you can go between services. This number tends to range between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. This helps to determine how expensive it is to maintain a supercharged system.

What's more, many supercharger manufacturers recommend vehicle owners use premium gas. This projected increase in cost should be considered when developing a budget for your supercharger kit.

Supercharge systems can be installed to improve the performance of a vehicle for recreational and racing purposes. Know and understand how these engine metrics will affect your vehicle's performance, projected maintenance costs, road readiness.

Jeep superchargers can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000, not including the price of shipping and installation. Before settling on any one product, research the manufacturer's reputation, warranty, and customer service. It can be helpful to create through F.A.Q.s and cross-reference product statistics. What's more, discuss the price and expected time for installation.

It is essential that you always tune your supercharger after bolting it on. Tuning is the process of calibrating your car's electronic control system. This helps the system to recognize new sensors and injectors that are installed alongside a supercharger. By tuning your supercharger, you help optimize your vehicle's fuel economy and engine spark under a wide range of RPMs. Blower manufacturers take this step seriously and many have gone so far as to include tuners with their supercharger kits.

The main difference between superchargers and turbochargers is the source of their power. Superchargers are powered by the crankshaft. This relies on the mechanical, or belt-driven, the power of your Jeep. This process is designed to pull in extra air and compress it to achieve maximum power and efficiency. Alternatively, turbochargers rely on a vehicle's exhaust for power. The exhaust is fed through a turbine to power a compressor. This system is a bit more complicated. It is also more efficient and less likely to be street legal.

In short...yes. If you stay out of boost, you will lose about 1-2 mpg.

While Jeep JKs have rightfully earned a reputation for being a brutish off-road vehicle, we believe their stock engines could use a performance boost. While a supercharger is a pricey investment, these powerful compressors offer a long list of benefits, including dramatically improved horsepower, efficiency, torque, and fuel economy. We hope our buying guide and comprehensive reviews provided you with a detailed look at engine boosting kits. As always, it is essential to select a product that is compatible with your the make, model, and year of your vehicle. What's more, with such sizable parts, it is important to figure shipping and installation (if need be) into your budget. Once you've nailed down the ideal supercharger for your Wrangler, all that's left to do is decide whether or not you need a lift, seat covers and some beast tires to complement your new and improved powerhouse of a vehicle. Enjoy!