would you turbo or super charge your BRZ/FRS?

[coastertrav]

Turbo.

Having driven turbo cars in the past (as well as a few supercharged ones), turbo hands down. I'm guessing most people voting against it have never driven a turbo charged vehicle (besides a factory turbocharged power plant at stock levels, which I'm not talking about in this justification). Power and torque being equal, a turbocharged car just gives a feeling of more power. The feeling when you really put your foot in it and feel the power just surge in can not be replicated in a NA system. Even my old Miata, with its baby turbo and quick response was more fun than NA cars that made 100 more horsepower than it just from the feeling in the seat.

Really it's apples to oranges, and to each there own. I can't tell you which is scientifically better, because that's not really a question with a cut and dry answer (really it's turbo in an ideal system, but lets be honest, the street is far from an ideal system). I can only say which I'd do, and it's my opinion.

[BlueLeader]

My choice would be a supercharger because it can be installed and look oem. Itll give the boost needed to make the car faster than it is in stock form. Other than that to turbo the car, it would cost too much imo for that and supporting mods in addition to the accelerated wear it will put on the vehicle. If not sc then i would leave it. Id rather save the money to buy a turbo car.

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[coastertrav]

Originally Posted by BlueLeader

My choice would be a supercharger because it can be installed and look oem. Itll give the boost needed to make the car faster than it is in stock form. Other than that to turbo the car, it would cost too much imo for that and supporting mods in addition to the accelerated wear it will put on the vehicle. If not sc then i would leave it. Id rather save the money to buy a turbo car.

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I strongly disagree on almost all counts. I think a supercharger looks way less OEM. Take a look at any of the low mount kits being offered out there right now and on initial look in the engine bay there is nothing extra to be seen. The supercharger sticks out on top of the motor for all to see. Also, the supporting mods between a supercharger and turbo are the same. They will both perform better with an upgraded exhaust (and the turbo will be quieter), they will both need injectors at the same power levels and they will both slip the clutch at the same torque levels.

Also, I'm not familiar with how a turbo puts more wear on the vehicle than a supercharger. Care to explain?

[Huehuecoyotl]

I'll chime in since I went FI already: In no way am I trying to persuade you between the two, I'd like one of each personally...these are just opinions, so sorry if I am off on facts in any statement

For now, I'm liking the SC juice I just got hooked on, using a custom spec'd pulley and tune, and it really does rip nicely from 5k to 7k where I want it to, and its really mellow and very drivable down at 1800 rpms too, surprisingly, no bog, lag or noises, theres pull, instantly, where there wasnt before... tho...

No rush can be had below 5k like on a turbo car, as expected. I bet the Sprintex will do a better job down low than the centri in my car if thats what you seek. I am looking for abuse-ability, so I kept my redline stock.

Those seeking the TQ peak in the 3-4k range should prolly go turbo-I like the FBM stuff, the AVO and P&L are lookers too. Those graphs show power and TQ sooner and, quite a bit more of it down low.

I think twin scroll SC will hit harder down low than centri SC and cant wait for it to be here already.

However, as far as here and now, ready to go kits, I'm very happy with mine, and still working to work fast enough to shift thru the gears at redline,6k to 7k happens so fast now, faster than I can shift!

I am gearing lower when driving mellow, and gearing higher when I want more power, if thats any way to describe the driving style changes.

Its exactly what I wanted, insanity at near the limits, sheep in wolf's clothing at other times.
Throttle modulation is a joy on corner exit. Its lacking in some punch at the 3-4k mark, but it makes up for that later on. I'm betting a higher PSI version of this kit will put some of that punch into the midrange, but can only assume it will be with tradeoffs on efficiency across the band, if that matters to you.

The 3k to 5k, where many turbos shine, is actually pretty mellow on my car so I feel really good getting on it there outta a turn, full on with disregard for the right foot. It just hooks up and rips no issue. I didint want to have to add alot of tire/weight for traction in my setup.

Turbos will peak far sooner, my peak is NOT there, its a bit higher up, but thats what I wanted.I'm, sure on the low end, a turbo car will generate more TQ and HP faster and sooner in the power band and dont think I'd have any regrets if I went turbo- I'm a huge fan of turbos in my daily driver cars, and have to say I looked long and hard at the FBM and AVO. Both very well thought out. I kinda see the turbo setups as being more flexible out of the box, and more easily upgrade capable depending on what you can do with the same hardware by just dialing a BOV. It makes dialing in desired power level 'easy' if you will.

So,the differences are where you have the TQ peak and the amount of heatsoak. I think turbos heat up oil faster than SCs and that comes with more power sooner. SC like Innovate may give you more down low rush than centri, but there are other constraints with that as with any given design, the upgrade path is a different between the two is that is part of the plan in a staged build. If the goal is to stay within stage1/2 limits, the spider type kit may be the ticket to get the lower end punch with fewer strings attached.

TC vs SC systems run conservatively, in my opinion, are pretty similar in upkeep, tho on the SC you have belt wear and replacement, on the turbo you dont. On the SC you have less immediate heatsoak, but once hot, both systems dont perform as well hot as when cool. Turbo oil lines and such are actually a great opportunity to run bigger coolers and stuff, if you plan on making heat and power. This is an add on on a SC car, where an oil cooler is still optional for most folks, mandatory for track cars that are FI, but that is just my opinion.

Whether its intercooling, oilcooling or both you need to run air, either organically or with forced fans thru those coolers, on both systems. equal.

I dont think either setup, run conservatively(8 to 10psi max), will cause any trouble or present any additional unkeep costs over one another, belts aside. On one you are maintaining a geared SC, on another you have gearless turbine, hot bearings, but fewer bearings. on the SC there are pulleys and associated bearings to look after. The SC looks very oem in my engine bay.

Turboing this car will be a hoot, no doubt, its so light and fun. MY advice is dont sit on the fence, whether its Innovate, AVO, FBM, P&L or Vortech, JUST DO IT, you'll love it. I messed around with NA tunes. my feeling is unless you live next to a e85 station, FI is a great route. FI will always feel different than e85, and there will always be shades of difference between different FI solutions.

Buying this car is a great move. Adding NA power is nice. Adding FI to it is even better. Have fun folks!