turbo vs. supercharger
Thread Starter
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,943
Likes: 0
From: ɯooɹpǝq ɹnoʎ
Vehicle: ǝdnoɔ sısǝuǝƃ
For all the FI newbies out there, could somebody please write a brief description of a turbo vs. supercharger? such as powerband, tuning, and additional cost differences?
Now onto the poll... what would you rather have? Turbo, or Supercharger... and why?
Now onto the poll... what would you rather have? Turbo, or Supercharger... and why?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Turbo....because there's nothing like power...sure...SCs can be fast off the line...but turbos have a lot of oomph. You can sprint the 400 meters, but you can't sprint the mile (not even the Olympic runners can do that...close...but not close enough). laugh.gif Besides...straight lines are boring...and you can use some NOS to help spool that sucker up faster too.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
Vehicle: Honda
QUOTE (Arctic_Chill)
Turbo....because there's nothing like power...sure...SCs can be fast off the line...but turbos have a lot of oomph. You can sprint the 400 meters, but you can't sprint the mile (not even the Olympic runners can do that...close...but not close enough). 
Besides...straight lines are boring...and you can use some NOS to help spool that sucker up faster too.
Besides...straight lines are boring...and you can use some NOS to help spool that sucker up faster too.What about those African guys, don't they run the mile in about 3:40? That's amazing.
I like turbo, but N/A is for the players only.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Salem, MA
Vehicle: 2K Tib
hmm, brief description of each?
Each accomplish the same task; creating more power by increasing airflow into the engine. Why is it more air? Because air is a compressable fluid. When air density increased (by adding pressure) more fuel can be added... more air and more fuel = more power.
The primary difference between superchargers and turbos is how they are driven. Superchargers come in 2 types. Positive displacement and Centrifugal. Positive displacement (sometimes called Roots superchargers) utilize 1 or 2 lobed rotors inside a casing to compress the air. Centrifugal superchargers utilize a turbo type fan to compress the air. Both types of superchargers are engine driven (usually by a belt, but sometimes by gears) and operate all the time. They also usually create lower overall pressure (4-8 PSI). Turbos utilize engine exhaust to drive the fan. If you can, picture 2 fans placed back to back connected by a single shaft but separated by a metal casing. High speed air (exhaust) drives one fan, which spins the other fan which compresses the air. Turbos only run when there is enough exhaust flow to "spin the fan". Since they must overcome inertia and other factors, there is a delay in achieving boost. Also known as "lag". Turbos can generate much more pressure. Typically in a street car this is on the order of 11-14 PSI.
Superchargers add power to the low and mid engine powerband. Turbos add power to the mid and high RPM. Obviously, each has applications for which it is suited. For example, I autocross my tiburon. Most of autocross occurs at lower speeds and at mid RPM engine speeds. It also requires a launch and some low RPM power. For me, adding a supercharger would be better than adding a turbo.
Pricing is about the same for basic aftermarket kits. ~$3500
Tuning differences? Someone else will have to cover this one.
I hope this helps.
A quick conversion factor. 1 BAR = 14.2 PSI = 28 In/H20
Each accomplish the same task; creating more power by increasing airflow into the engine. Why is it more air? Because air is a compressable fluid. When air density increased (by adding pressure) more fuel can be added... more air and more fuel = more power.
The primary difference between superchargers and turbos is how they are driven. Superchargers come in 2 types. Positive displacement and Centrifugal. Positive displacement (sometimes called Roots superchargers) utilize 1 or 2 lobed rotors inside a casing to compress the air. Centrifugal superchargers utilize a turbo type fan to compress the air. Both types of superchargers are engine driven (usually by a belt, but sometimes by gears) and operate all the time. They also usually create lower overall pressure (4-8 PSI). Turbos utilize engine exhaust to drive the fan. If you can, picture 2 fans placed back to back connected by a single shaft but separated by a metal casing. High speed air (exhaust) drives one fan, which spins the other fan which compresses the air. Turbos only run when there is enough exhaust flow to "spin the fan". Since they must overcome inertia and other factors, there is a delay in achieving boost. Also known as "lag". Turbos can generate much more pressure. Typically in a street car this is on the order of 11-14 PSI.
Superchargers add power to the low and mid engine powerband. Turbos add power to the mid and high RPM. Obviously, each has applications for which it is suited. For example, I autocross my tiburon. Most of autocross occurs at lower speeds and at mid RPM engine speeds. It also requires a launch and some low RPM power. For me, adding a supercharger would be better than adding a turbo.
Pricing is about the same for basic aftermarket kits. ~$3500
Tuning differences? Someone else will have to cover this one.
I hope this helps.
A quick conversion factor. 1 BAR = 14.2 PSI = 28 In/H20
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Salem, MA
Vehicle: 2K Tib
Apologies in advance for the double post...here is some common language explainations of each....
superchargers: http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/1436/
turbos: http://www.superstreetonline.com/techartic...3376/index.html
superchargers: http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticles/1436/
turbos: http://www.superstreetonline.com/techartic...3376/index.html
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 34,642
Likes: 0
From: Los Lunas, New Mexico, USA.
Vehicle: 2001 Hyundai Tiburon, 2004 Kia Sorento, 2010 Kia Soul
Actually, our aftermarket kits go for around $2900.
And I want a turbo kit, but I'm going with the Twin Turbo ZET instead!
argue.gif :evilguy:
And I want a turbo kit, but I'm going with the Twin Turbo ZET instead!
argue.gif :evilguy: