Call me a NOOB, Differences between Supercharger & Turbo?

[Got3n]

Hmm supercharger might be my best bet as well. HOpefully it works well with my automatic.

[AllDayJonRay]

Your poll question is a little too ambiguous..

It all depends on how big of a 'bang' you want, and how big the 'buck' you are willing to spend is.

[AVOturboworld]

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtest...ercharged.html

Even manufacturers pick turbochargers over superchargers, and for a good reason. It all gets down to efficiency in the end. Turbochargers can be very good at making mid-range torque on small engines - just check our power graph - when the turbocharger is sized for that application. What muddies the water is when people get caught up chasing big peak power figures, which skews the results and make people think turbochargers don't provide much low-end power.

[subatoy]

This has been covered a BILLIONS times.

[VADER]

So many opinions.. Love it!

[VADER]

Originally Posted by J2 Motorsports

The car is fast already, so if you want to be safe and not sorry I would go SC. However all fan boys of boost love the WSSSSHHHHH sound after the turbo spool.

Speed and power is addicting.

I will admit that WSSSSSHHHHH sound might be a deal maker for me. That sound is orgasmic..

[catharsis]

super chargers = easier to maintain and install and usually the kits are cheaper than turbo charged kits

turbo chargers = more complex installation, and more difficult to maintain but are great for dyno queens looking for highest numbers possible.

[clexis]

I'm no expert by far on the subject so please bear with me.
Superchargers and Turbochargers are both forced induction systems.


The key difference is the power supply. In superchargers the compressor is powered by a belt system that runs directly off the engine similar to a water pump or an alternator so boost is available as soon as the engine is started. Essentially a supercharger has a slight parasitic effect on your engine which gets negated by the additional HP boost from the supercharger.


A turbocharger, on the other hand, gets its power from the exhaust system. The exhaust runs through a turbine, which in turn spins the compressor. As mention in a previous post this type of setup, typically has a delay or lag time. However if one uses the right size turbo lag time can be delayed somewhat. This is due to the fact that Turbochargers uses the exhaust stream to power the compressor.


From a physics point of view a Turbocharger is more efficient because it uses wasted energy (exhaust) to power your compressor.

[J2 Motorsports]

Originally Posted by clexis

I'm no expert by far on the subject so please bear with me.
Superchargers and Turbochargers are both forced induction systems.


The key difference is the power supply. In superchargers the compressor is powered by a belt system that runs directly off the engine similar to a water pump or an alternator so boost is available as soon as the engine is started. Essentially a supercharger has a slight parasitic effect on your engine which gets negated by the additional HP boost from the supercharger.


A turbocharger, on the other hand, gets its power from the exhaust system. The exhaust runs through a turbine, which in turn spins the compressor. As mention in a previous post this type of setup, typically has a delay or lag time. However if one uses the right size turbo lag time can be delayed somewhat. This is due to the fact that Turbochargers uses the exhaust stream to power the compressor.


From a physics point of view a Turbocharger is more efficient because it uses wasted energy (exhaust) to power your compressor.

Efficient when it spools the wheel off the exhaust gases and the Sc that uses the belt driving serpentine belt.

Turbos have a lag while a SC is DIRECT power.

Physics play a large role however those are to ENGINEERED systems. Now a days you can slap a turbo and call it day. But I love the fact of reliability for the sake that it is a new car.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by J2 Motorsports

Turbos have a lag while a SC is DIRECT power.

This can be minimized if you size a turbo appropriately to a motor. Then there's also ball bearing CHRA's and the newer designs of the Garret GTX series turbos.

Turbos are more efficient at creating power, that's why more and more companies are looking at them as a means to improving fuel economy ratings in their cars (See: Ford EcoBoost). Hell, even Toyota is starting to research using turbos on their economy vehicles.

SC is "direct" power in the sense that it's there whenever the motor is turning. But keep in mind that it also takes more power to make it. The parasitic drag of a SC is considerably more than that of back pressure from a turbo setup. Not to mention the hassle of installing a new pulley and belt every time you want to adjust the boost.

[mhigham]

and spinning a supercharger is no easy task - that is power that the crankshaft sees and your wheels don't.

Just as a reference - the new Mustang GT500. Its SAE rated at 662HP, but it takes an additional 150HP @14PSI to spin the blower. So the crank is seeing 800+HP of force. The next generation is rumored to be turbocharged (ecoboosted).

[J2 Motorsports]

Originally Posted by 2forme

This can be minimized if you size a turbo appropriately to a motor. Then there's also ball bearing CHRA's and the newer designs of the Garret GTX series turbos.

Turbos are more efficient at creating power, that's why more and more companies are looking at them as a means to improving fuel economy ratings in their cars (See: Ford EcoBoost). Hell, even Toyota is starting to research using turbos on their economy vehicles.

SC is "direct" power in the sense that it's there whenever the motor is turning. But keep in mind that it also takes more power to make it. The parasitic drag of a SC is considerably more than that of back pressure from a turbo setup. Not to mention the hassle of installing a new pulley and belt every time you want to adjust the boost.

That is correct. In analogy its like slapping a T3/T4 hybrid on a single cam Civic.

[2forme]

Originally Posted by J2 Motorsports

That is correct. In analogy its like slapping a T3/T4 hybrid on a single cam Civic.

Bah, single cam Civics get the most power from Type R stickers.

[VADER]

Originally Posted by 2forme

Bah, single cam Civics get the most power from Type R stickers.