Centrifugal:
These are crankshaft driven, snail shaped dealies that are glorified fans. They throw air at high speed against the walls of the compressor housing and it piles up, creating pressure/boost. A centri effectively trades air velocity for air pressure. With the trade of speed for pressure the air also gets hot and should be cooled down. You can compress air 8psi and end up with over 200 degree air, that's bad since cool air is great for making power and hot air isn't.
Centrifugals are light, cheap and easy to install. They usually require a tap into the engine oil supply for lubircation and cooling. Do not fail to follow directions about plumbing that. Some centri's even come with intercoolers standard (ATI).
As far as brands.. there's a bunch but I limit myself to recommending those of sufficient quality and support prowess as to keep my reputation intact:
Vortech - Perfect in every way.
Paxton - Just about perfect and a better choice for bigger power cars
ATI/Procharger - Bargain basement. My third and last option.
If it ain't in that list... probably shouldn't be on yours either.
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