First off, didn't the "import" thing die off already? A 4 cylinder is a 4 cylinder, there's no need to specify. And since we're dealing with mostly low-powered 4 cylinders to start, yes, a lot of people prefer a turbo in that application rather than take the parasitic losses that come with a supercharger. And in your first example, I would certainly agree. Drag racing a FWD car, you're already at a disadvantage with traction and weight transfer, so you make it up in trap speed with a turbo suited towards top end power.
I know a lot of the Miata guys like the linear power delivery of a supercharger compared to a turbo, especially exiting turns. They might not be setting any records, but they're not running superchargers based on placebo, it's their preference. And again, you have to look at all the options there are to find a properly sized turbo for your application, then look at the superchargers. For the Miata? Well, there's a few kits with the MP62, and that's about it. No TVS, no intercoolers (yet), Rotrex is slowly taking form, but there's still a lot of work to have a polished kit.
The advantages of a supercharger are real, they just haven't been fully embraced by the tuning community yet. That makes it an unpopular choice, but not an inferior (or superior) one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonitti
Matter of fact, what motorsport period is a S/C'ed anything being the preferred application?
|
Top Fuel?