supercharger Vs. turbocharger

[03'350z]

what makes a turbo better than a supercharger or a supercharger better than a turbo

[pre98zetec]

Both have there good side's, Both have there downside's. Supercharger power is instant, Turbo need a second or two to spool up before you get your power.. Both are good, I don't think either is better then the other.

[SVTcobra306]

Didn't we just go through this?

Overall, PROPERLY SIZED a turbo is better for all-out performance but more complicated and pricey,

Supercharger is more of a bolt-on, but is much less efficient. Will still add a ton of power.

[boosted331]

Originally Posted by sk8ter_in_ny

Both have there good side's, Both have there downside's. Supercharger power is instant, Turbo need a second or two to spool up before you get your power.. Both are good, I don't think either is better then the other.

Go drive a 2003 GT with a vortech, then go drive a 2003 GT with a T66 turbo, tell me which one feels more instant. Centrifugals build boost slowly with RPM's, turbos are a big hit in the mid range and make a lot more torque and midrange.

[duplox]

Excellent point, boosted. If you know how to shift and have decent gears in the back(3.50s would do fine) you'll never be without boost with a turbo. And I mean full boost. Centrifugal superchargers like Vortechs
a)only make peak boost at peak engine RPMS
b)have parasitic drag, they require crank HP to turn them, therefore gains per PSI are reduced. Turbos use exhaust heat to turn them
c)You probably wont get above vacuum with a centrifugal until probably 2000-2500rpm anyways. A properly sized turbo for a 6500rpm redline will spool around 2500.
d)a turbo will make heaps more average HP/TQ as well as more peak HP/TQ.
Between a turbocharger and a centrifugal supercharger, hands down no contest turbo wins. A positive displacement type, such as a roots for Lysholm or rotary is a different story alltogether. That is the only way a supercharger will make 'instant boost'. I went into LOTs of detail on this on the other post asking nearly the same question, go find that if you want more detail.

The ONLY downside to a turbo is the more difficult and complicated installation and maybe the added cost. I dont know how DIY you guys are, but I built my own twin turbo system for around $1500(home made headers/downpipes, boost control system, and charge piping.. well I also made my own EFI intake, but you already have that for a 4.6/5.0/5.8w). But if you dont have the skills, don't try it. Its not easy. Buy a bolt on turbo kit.

[thunderbird muscle]

How do you build a turbo that is intrasting to me! Would tell me about?

[SVTcobra306]

He means he built all the piping and used a pair of turbos off another car. Then like I've said before, you have to set up for more fuel and less timing under boost...

[duplox]

yeah, I didn't actually build the turbos.. a bit out of my league! yes, to compensate for boost I run 48lb/hr injectors and a computer that can compensate for boost(running a megasquirt, its good for boost up to 20psi).. For fuel I'm running an aeromotive fuel pump and an aeromotive fuel pressure regulator that increases boost pressure 1:1 with manifold pressure.