Supercharger (THUNDERBIRD & Cougar): INTERCOOLER

Supercharged Thunderbird and Cougar vehicles are equipped with an intercooler, mounted next to the radiator. The intercooler cools the pressurized air from the supercharger, increasing the air density, which improves combustion efficiency, engine horsepower and torque.

At low throttle, the engine runs under vacuum due to normal intake restrictions. To prevent supercharger cavitation, reduced engine performance and increased temperatures, a vacuum-controlled bypass valve is installed at the supercharger outlet. The bypass valve allows a controlled amount of airflow from the supercharger outlet back into the supercharger. As the throttle opening is increased, the actuator closes the bypass valve, directing all air from the supercharger to the intake manifold. This occurs as soon as the throttle opens, resulting in immediate response.