Quote:
Originally posted by Polygon
My pick would be a turbo. Here's why;
Turbo:
Since the turbo is driven off the exhaust it takes no power away from the engine. Also the turbo is only working when you mash the gas so you can maintain good gas mileage while just cruisin’. The only downside is the turbo lag. But that has greatly been reduced over the years.
Super:
Belt driven so the power is instant. But there are two downsides. Since it is always running, it is always using gas. Bye bye good gas mileage. It also required power to run the Super so you don't get as much power.
To me the turbo has been and always will be the better choice. Besides you aren't realty seeing you engines real power until about 3500+ RPM at least. By then the turbo has already spooled up.
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Not entirely true. First of all, a turbo, when out of boost, puts a hp drag on the car. Secondly, lag, and boost threshold, for that matter, is completely determined by matching the size of the turbo to the motor in question. Finally, the power of a turbo is not limitless. It is restricted by the surge limit.
As for superchargers, all the Eaton blowers I know of use an internal bypass valve that is actuated by vaccum pressure. Boost is somewhat dictated by throttle pressure. That means that when you're just cruising at part throttle, you can say "hello gas mileage". (Or you can add a one way checkvalve and switch to your bypass valve like I did and completely cut off boost.) Power from a supercharger is off idle. I can floor it well below 3500 and break the tires loose.
I'll be the first to admit that a turbo is much more versatile and, with the wide variety and selection available, can be more suitably matched to compliment an engine's particular characteristics. But superchargers are not as bad as they're made out to be either. Choosing one is a matter of finding which suits your needs and driving style better. Both of them are an excellent way to add power to a small motor.
Check out Alan Paradise's article written with the assistance of both Corky Bell and Oscar Jackson.
http://www.geocities.com/eyores1/page1.html