A normally-aspirated 5.0L engine compresses just 3.75L-4.5L,
lowest at high rpm. A supercharger ensures not only complete
cylinder filling, but filling under pressure so that, with 8psi
boost, around 1500cc can be squeezed in. Efficient atomization
of the air/fuel mixture passing through the supercharger enables
a cleaner burn so a leaner mixture can be used. The smoothness
resulting from complete cylinder filling and efficient
atomization reduces shock loading on bearings and bores,
reducing wear for equivalent loads. Downsides are that driving a
supercharger consumes power; when air is compressed there is a
heating effect which can counteract the benefits of compression;
a supercharger requires space; and it is generally cheaper to
fit a bigger engine. The first patent application for a
supercharger was by Rudolf Diesel in 1896. A supercharged car
won its first motorsport event in 1908 and 100mph replicas of it
were the first supercharged cars offered for sale. Superchargers
developed rapidly with aero engi