A basic supercharger can overcome the following on a stock engine:
Low compression
Stock camshaft
carburation
Induction system/valve sizes
This does not come free; a supercharger takes horsepower to turn it - as much as 100 or more horsepower in a large (6-71 GMC or bigger)/hi-speed situation. A supercharger also adds heat to the fuel/air mixture with detonation problems, and the added complexity of the drive belts/system.
Having said that, in my opinion. it is the SINGLE most effective way to improve an engines performance.
If you add the other basic modifications (camshaft, induction system, carburation/injection), you approcah the physical limits of the engine design, even with strengthened connecting rods, crankshafts and lower block supports.
The above is not intended to cover all aspects of supercharging; many books have been written on this subject and I've just covered the basics in 100 words or less............
