Why does the aftermarket love turbos? Why not superchargers?

[ahausheer]

Why does the aftermarket for imports focus so much on turbos? Wouldn't a supercharger be better? I want low end torque for a nice street feeling, not a peaky non linear power band. Seems like a SC has less parts and is more reliable as well.

[Bonburner]

I've always liked how turbo uses the exhaust to spool not .. other than that don't see any other big reason why turbo > SC.
Not to mention SC is good for all around rpm ranges :X

[86_ZN6]

is HKS the only company that has SC??

[UncleFester]

I prefer turbochargers just like most aftermarket and even OEM's, particularly on small displacement engines.

There are many reasons why and instead of listing them I will simply point you toward the countless number of pages on the web that discuss this particular issue.

[chulooz]

There are probably five reliable turbo setups for every one SC application. Popularity, engineering, tuning, and results (and price, as always) make a turbo route more likely in many tuner markets today. I cant think of any OEM that is known to solely focus on SCs, but when you look at Subaru: turbos are the way to go. Given the proper application, nearly all desired results can be achieved without too much compromise. Tons of reasons though.

[Asterisked Accolade]

Superchargers tend to put stress on the engine via a pulley-- that is something i don't prefer. (I'm not implying a turbo puts no stress on the engine)Also, superchargers ran on the track heat-soak themselves into HP loss. It has been noticed strongly in SuperCharged Corvettes-- after a few laps, the charger is so hot the HP gain lowers considerably. Also, with little 4 cylinders, Turbo is usually the better way to go. V6s and V8s do very well with SCs. There is a 65' Mustang in the SCCA with a turbo and is a pretty wicked set-up, however.

Those are my main reasons. I would consider a SC if i had a well-ventilated engine bay and/or V6/V8.

[ahausheer]

TRD does superchargers and there are other OEMS as well. However, OEMs like turbos because of they are better for MPG sake compared to superchargers and there is massive pressure for good MPG's. I am teaching myself about the various FI methods and turbos seem the worst, although to be honest I have only ever driven a car with a Turbo. The appeal of a SC is its simplicity, reliability, and low end power/torque. What are the downsides other than the above mentioned heat soak.

Also I have searched the internet and I even bought a book on street supercharging. All of my research suggests SC are better. Why else would TRD use a SC? Surely Toyota can do no wrong.

[Matizzay]

Simple: Turbo spool sounds sexier

[Dimman]

Figuring out sizing and packaging (intercoolers with positive displacementSCs) is more complicated.

[bimmerboy]

what's your basis? I think it depends on the platform really

[Mr.Jay]

i think its because the consumer market loves the psssht psssht bov noises

[Jimbo]

With a turbo you don't have to worry about mechanical mounting issues as much.

[zoomzoomers]

Looking at it simplified... an inefficient turbo system will be more efficient than an efficient supercharged system. Of course, there will and are some that break that rule, but by in large that statement holds true.

[Asterisked Accolade]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

TRD does superchargers and there are other OEMS as well. However, OEMs like turbos because of they are better for MPG sake compared to superchargers and there is massive pressure for good MPG's. I am teaching myself about the various FI methods and turbos seem the worst, although to be honest I have only ever driven a car with a Turbo. The appeal of a SC is its simplicity, reliability, and low end power/torque. What are the downsides other than the above mentioned heat soak.

Also I have searched the internet and I even bought a book on street supercharging. All of my research suggests SC are better. Why else would TRD use a SC? Surely Toyota can do no wrong.

Putting heat-soak aside, I think it would basically come down to personal preference and what type of power you're looking for-- low end grunt or mid to top-end speed.

[86'd]

1. SCs are limited to certain HP numbers vs a turbo set up.

2. Most people who want tons of power don't road race, they drag.

3. Turbos are more easily fabricated. You can't make a roots/eaton/whatever blower yourself. Just grab a snail, bend some pipes (exaggerating) and have at it.

Most SCs in say a Honda application will "magnify" (for the lack of a better term) the powerband; more low end TQ etc. You'd be lucky to reach 100hp+ max power for a bolt on race kit.

Turbos on the other hand will always achieve more power. Sure the powerband would suck for anything but drag racing (especially if its a big turbo) but you're getting 200+hp for the same money spent vs the SC setup.

A nice SC set up are great for the street, but people are always chasing numbers and turbos just provide more.

SCs do have problems as well. You need to make sure it's oiled, tighten pulleys/check belts on occasion, and monitor your cooling and A/F on a regular basis. Plus most cheap bolt on SC's don't have a cooling aspect, like say an intercooler, so you'd have to be careful about things like heatsoak and all of that.

[RWD-boxer]

Bov

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

Looking at it simplified... an inefficient turbo system will be more efficient than an efficient supercharged system. Of course, there will and are some that break that rule, but by in large that statement holds true.

You mean in terms of MPG, volumetric or adiabatic efficiency? So turbos are often easier to mount, have better mpg, better peak torque, cheaper, lighter and they sound cool. Sounds good for racing/ top end acceleration where as superchargers as someone above said simply raise the power curves but don't necessarily change their shape. I think Im getting it and I think I would still prefer a small, low boost SC.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

...have better mpg, better peak torque...

Errr I think this is highly case dependent. Having a big torque spike is not really a good thing. mpg is affected by not only what compressor type (superchargers included), turbine size/housing, but also by the engine itself. For example, VVEL and Valvetronic equipped engines should have slightly higher cruise efficiency if boosted and intercooled, but most other engines won't have that.

[chulooz]

What do you think the downsides to turbos are? Nearly every desired goal can be achieved with the superior tuning capabilities/options.

[WolfsFang]

Get a twin charger and have both worlds.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

[Calum]

Wait, no one wrote because racecar yet. Well, let me be the first


Because Racecar.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Why does the aftermarket for imports focus so much on turbos? Wouldn't a supercharger be better?

I think a lot of people enjoy building turbo kits that make peak boost just before peak rpm, rather than buying a pre-built supercharger kit that... does the same.



"Just say no to over-sized turbochargers."