Turbo or Supercharger???
Still here... sorta...
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,177
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From: CO
Ah... the famous Super v. Turbo debate.
Both have their positives and negatives.
I personally prefer tubos because of their versitility and effectiveness, as well as their efficiency.
With a super, you have to make power to get power because of the belt drive system. The more belts you add to your motor, the more power it takes for your motor to move those belt-driven items. Also, supers have a glass ceiling for power. The do make power all the time, but they can only make as much boost as the pulley will allow that is installed. To change that boost level, you have to dismantle the exterior of the unit to change the pulley.
With a turbo, you will have your normal amount of N/A power until the turbo can spool up and create positive pressure. The larger the turbo (impeller), the more exhaust pressure it takes to spool it. The BEST part about a turbo is that boost pressure is regulated by the spring tension of the wastegate - either by vacuum pressure or by the max load that the spring can withstand. This allows you to control how much boost you create at anytime with a boost controller. You could be running the stock 3 or 4 psi (depends on the wastegate's spring), push a button and instantly be running 10psi.
That's my very short answer. A lot of people think that supers are better because they provide 'constant' power, but they top off quickly. Another fear of turbos is that there are so many pieces that need to be installed. I confess, before I installed mine, I had no idea how they worked or what everything did. Now that I have one, it's all very simple.
Hope this helps out.
Both have their positives and negatives.
I personally prefer tubos because of their versitility and effectiveness, as well as their efficiency.
With a super, you have to make power to get power because of the belt drive system. The more belts you add to your motor, the more power it takes for your motor to move those belt-driven items. Also, supers have a glass ceiling for power. The do make power all the time, but they can only make as much boost as the pulley will allow that is installed. To change that boost level, you have to dismantle the exterior of the unit to change the pulley.
With a turbo, you will have your normal amount of N/A power until the turbo can spool up and create positive pressure. The larger the turbo (impeller), the more exhaust pressure it takes to spool it. The BEST part about a turbo is that boost pressure is regulated by the spring tension of the wastegate - either by vacuum pressure or by the max load that the spring can withstand. This allows you to control how much boost you create at anytime with a boost controller. You could be running the stock 3 or 4 psi (depends on the wastegate's spring), push a button and instantly be running 10psi.
That's my very short answer. A lot of people think that supers are better because they provide 'constant' power, but they top off quickly. Another fear of turbos is that there are so many pieces that need to be installed. I confess, before I installed mine, I had no idea how they worked or what everything did. Now that I have one, it's all very simple.
Hope this helps out.
been there done that
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,637
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From: 916
Originally Posted by cowanpp
it's my D in a B
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 24,787
Likes: 1
From: Your Mom's House
I've participated in these discussions about a billion times ( 
), but I'll throw in the abridged version of my opinion on the matter:
Turbos are the better power adder because they operate much more efficiently, are capable of making more overall power, and can be quite versatile depending on application.
Which one would I put on my car? A supercharger. I've driven enough turbo cars to know that its hesitant power delivery can put a serious damper on autocross(the main purpose of my car). On a drag car, roadracing car, or street car, the answer would be turbo. No doubt.
There ya go
), but I'll throw in the abridged version of my opinion on the matter:Turbos are the better power adder because they operate much more efficiently, are capable of making more overall power, and can be quite versatile depending on application.
Which one would I put on my car? A supercharger. I've driven enough turbo cars to know that its hesitant power delivery can put a serious damper on autocross(the main purpose of my car). On a drag car, roadracing car, or street car, the answer would be turbo. No doubt.
There ya go
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Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5
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Thanks for the input everyone. I've been checking em both out, not too sure which route i wanna take. I was just wondering what everyone else on here thought about the subject. It's the age old question....
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,979
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From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by Guzznuts
I've got a SOHC 1.6 and wanta add some balls to my car. I was wondering what's a better way to go. Turbocharger or Supercharger. I don't really care about price.......just performance.
The ongoing debate.
is whipped
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: BC/WA
My supercharged LS 6 psi...attached...nice for the street and autox. Power is always there, but it would be nice to have something up top....runs like a champ though...ZERO problems whatsoever *knocks on wood* tuned with a VAFC...yes...VAFC...yes its an B18B1
*edit* Query is for a 1.6 SOHC so nevermind...
*edit* Query is for a 1.6 SOHC so nevermind...
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