turbo vs supercharger

jimmm · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 11:37 AM

A question for the speed freaks. Why a turbo charger as opposed to a supercharger? I know on a stock truck it has to do with space limitations, cost and fuel economy.But for out and out performance wouldn't a supercharger be the hot ticket? Two problems with a turbo are high exhaust temps and turbo lag.Seems a supercharger would help those. Didn't Detroit run a supercharger years ago? what was the pros and cons? A supercharger gives more low RPM power and that's where a diesel lives. I know on most street truck owners budget, replacing stock items for improved after market is the most cost effective,but I don't seem to see any of the all out horsepower guys even talking supercharger, how come?

StarDriver · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 11:57 AM

Superchargers work on gas engines, not on 4 stroke diesels. They did use them on Detroit 2 cycle diesels but for a slightly different purpose. Trust me, if it would work on a 4 stroke diesel, it'd already be done, there's a reason they don't use them. Also, it does take power to spin a supercharger. For example, to spin a supercharger on a top fuel car, it takes 400 hp just to spin the supercharger to produce 50 psi.

goats · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 12:03 PM

also turbos dont need belts that can slip,or need pulleys to up the boost.I would take a turbo over a blower anyday of the week.

jimmm · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarDriver

Superchargers work on gas engines, not on 4 stroke diesels. They did use them on Detroit 2 cycle diesels but for a slightly different purpose. Trust me, if it would work on a 4 stroke diesel, it'd already be done, there's a reason they don't use them. Also, it does take power to spin a supercharger. For example, to spin a supercharger on a top fuel car, it takes 400 hp just to spin the supercharger to produce 50 psi.

I knew they took power to make power and used to be used. What was the reasons for no longer running them? On gas motors both turbos and supers work,but not on diesels? I'm not trying to argue, just was wondering why. I knew there was solid reasons why it wasn't being done. Guys with a 60,000 dollar truck and 20,000 worth of performance stuff would stuff a super in there somewhere if it was possible.

**dhanna6powerstroke** · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarDriver

Superchargers work on gas engines, not on 4 stroke diesels. They did use them on Detroit 2 cycle diesels but for a slightly different purpose. Trust me, if it would work on a 4 stroke diesel, it'd already be done, there's a reason they don't use them. Also, it does take power to spin a supercharger. For example, to spin a supercharger on a top fuel car, it takes 400 hp just to spin the supercharger to produce 50 psi.

I disagree 100% A supercharger does take power to spin it, but a turbo is not 100% free power. Drive pressures in a turbo can actually rob as much if not more power than a super charger. Check these guys out, might change your mind. In the News

dereku · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2010, 12:12 PM

ok a super charger is good for performance on a car, god off the line decent top end.

But look at it this way, supercharger v8 making 500 hp

Or a turbo charged v8 that makes 500hp

On can get 20mpg on can get 8 mpg. That goes for gas as well as diesel.

A turbo uses wasted energy, I.E. exhaust to spin a turbo, where as a super charger uses usable power to spin the super charger. If a super charged engine had no belt and was spun by an outside source they would be very fast but that just doesnt work that way.