ProCharger

History

ProCharger was incorporated in December 1993, and its initial supercharger systems were for 5.0 Mustangs and carbureted Chevrolet applications. The primary founder of the company was Dan Jones who stepped down from the role of Company President in 2006. One of their most notable staff members is Jim Summers, a 5.0 Mustang racer and dealer for ProCharger. He joined the company in 2002 as the Motorsports Director.

ProCharger was originally located in a leased property in Lenexa, KS. In December 1998 it moved into a building designed specifically for the company, and that building was expanded in 2004. In 2010, the company acquired control of a second building, adjacent to the primary building.

Products and Distribution

The company manufactures ProCharger superchargers and supercharger systems for a variety of applications, including automotive, truck, motorcycle, UTV (utility terrain vehicle) and marine. ProChargers are distributed primarily through a network of dealers who have installation and calibration capabilities. The company also designs aircraft deicing compressors and industrial blowers, blower packages and compressors through its Inovair division.

Manufacturing

Superchargers, supercharger systems and subassemblies are manufactured in-house on computer numerical control (CNC) equipment, utilizing coordinate measuring machines (CMM's), balancing equipment, run-in stands and other equipment to verify quality during the production and assembly process. Billet impellers are manufactured from large diameter sticks of 7075 T-6 aluminum, which are cut to height on the saw, contoured on a CNC lathe and then machined on a CNC mill (5 axis, 4 axis or 3 axis, depending on complexity). On its street-legal superchargers, ProCharger offers a choice of noise levels, with the quieter "stealth" gearset featuring a helical design. Quality control includes running every supercharger that leaves the facility, rather than random sampling. The engineering team utilizes 3D computer-aided design software, rapid prototyping equipment, a large test lab, and engine and chassis dynamometers during the R&D process.

Industry Contributions

Among its initial industry contributions, ProCharger was the first to offer a complete intercooled supercharger system for the aftermarket performance industry In track testing in July 1994, the automotive press documented an improvement in quarter mile performance of 2 seconds and 16 mph on a stock 1993 Cobra running 9 psi in 97 degree weather, utilizing an intercooled ProCharger system.

In 1995, an intercooled ProCharger system became the first supercharger system to receive an emissions exemption (CARB EO # D-365) for an application running more than 8 psi of boost, receiving that exemption for a 14 psi intercooled supercharger system for a 5.0 Mustang. In 1996, ProCharger was the first company to offer complete intercooled supercharger systems for marine applications.

In 2000, Doug Mangrum became the first racer to run faster than a 7.0 ET (elapsed time) in the quarter mile using a centrifugal supercharger. Donny Walsh and Jim Summers soon followed with 6-second quarter mile passes in the same year, with all 3 using a ProCharger supercharger and also exceeding 200 mph. The supercharger design used by these 3 racers includes a patented “bearing within a bearing” design for the high speed output shaft.

In 2006, Bo Butner, running a ProCharger supercharger, became the first racer to win a championship in NHRA running a centrifugal supercharger, which had previously been outlawed in NHRA.

The company began manufacturing intercooled supercharger systems for Harley Davidson motorcycles in 2006. That product included several patented design elements, and this H-D supercharger kit in 2006 was awarded a Popular Mechanics award for Design and Innovation, and then in 2008 achieved further industry recognition as the Easyriders Performance Product of the Year.

ProCharger has a notable history of innovation and new product development. In 2000, ProCharger managed an industry first by offering the first gear driven centrifugal supercharger with self-contained oiling. It is credited with being the first to offer a supercharger system for Corvettes with LS engines, and in 2010 was the first to introduce supercharger systems for the Ford Raptor and 3.7L V6 Mustang. In testing by the automotive press in 2011 on a stock 6.2L Ford Raptor, an intercooled ProCharger supercharger system increased performance by over 200 horsepower, and was also reported to be installed in approximately 4 hours.

Accessible Technologies has been a member of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association since 1994, and has been attending Performance Racing Industry trade shows since 1999.

Sponsorship

ProCharger does not sponsor race cars directly, but does act as class sponsor for several racing classes in multiple sanctioning bodies, and acts as a contingency sponsor in additional racing sanctioning bodies. Notable racers who have won championships using ProCharger products include John Urist, Jason Lee, Tim Matherly, Kevin Young, Steve Jackson, Rich Bruder, Mike Modeste, Mark Micke, Don Walsh, Jim Blair and Jimmy LaRocca.