Somehow I knew this thread would end up being about my truck instead of the Camaro...
Sorry if this is repetitive schooling for some of you, but basically, the A/C compressor, when it turns on in all cars; doesn't just come on when the A/C is on. It also comes on if you set the air to defrost; or turn on the heat, because it's used to dry out the air before it sends it to the cabin. The compressor is usually pulley-driven off the crankshaft like just about everything else under the hood. Therefore, when the A/C compressor pulley is engaged, it takes power the engine could be using to drive other things (including my supercharger) and bogs down the engine a little. Now, I exaggerate when I say it's like captaining a yacht but suffice to say that it's still a noticeable; albeit minor difference, which to a driving enthusiast with a 210-hp truck, required exaggeration. (Note: Just because it's supercharged doesn't mean it's Omniscient.)
Now; away from diagnosing my truck: I am in fact aware that this situation is probably not normal (I did already replace the compressor and pulley earlier this year), but I have since noticed A/C compressor bog-down in other vehicles too, including GM vehicles. I just wanted to know if anyone who has actually driven the Camaro has turned on the air and noticed a difference; not sure if it would make a difference with an engine so much more powerful than my current but I am curious about it.
(Second note: For the record, my truck has more tq than hp [231 vs 210] so it has plenty of power; it just loses enough of it that I notice when the durn compressor comes on.)
I know there's a power loss, however minute, with any pull from the engine, so I'm not expecting there to be no drop. I guess my question is more of whether it's significant enough to notice or not.
Although, now that I expect it I'm probably more likely to notice it than other people... in fact; I bet some of you who read this thread will start noticing it now, teehee!
Thanks for your replies though!