turbo vs super

[gonzo666]

I was look at a web sight that caught my attention it was spmotorsports.com/contour_supercharger.html it had a supercharger but it looked like a turbo i thought that a supercharger was belt driven. I know that a turbo works with the exhaust and supercharger is in the intake also the price for the super charger is about 1500 less than the turbo in customcougars.com so i was wonder what the draw back was to the both of them.

[pgtatx]

A turbocharger is an exhaust driven centrifugal supercharger by definition.

They are both air compressors... The Vortech model used in the vortech kit is a Centrifugal Supercharger.

[gonzo666]

so which one would be better and why.

[Iceotron]

i'm no expert but from my experience there's no definite answer to which is better. Both have pro's and con's. The main pro's for both are:

super - provides constant hp boost, meaning 75 hp to the wheels is there no matter how fast or slow you are going.

turbo - generally provide more max hp but suffer from lag and hp build up. Meaning at say 2500 rpm's it provides 55 more hp over stock but at 4000 rpm it provides 95 hp over stock.


Also keep in mind that a smaller turbo can provide hp almost as quickly as a super charger and have a little more top end, OR a larger turbo will have more "lag" but MUCH higher top end hp output. Lastly, i'm not positive, but I believe a supercharger provides more torque over a turbo of equal output.

Speaking of Turbo's and Superchargers, has no one bored out their cylinders, and sleeved them? No one is really running serious boost. I know on my buddy's Eclipse he's running at 16 PSI and Running over 300something HP (good for mid to low 12's). Just wondering.

[DemonSVT]

Originally posted by: Iceotron
1. super - provides constant hp boost, meaning 75 hp to the wheels is there no matter how fast or slow you are going.

2. turbo - generally provide more max hp but suffer from lag and hp build up. Meaning at say 2500 rpm's it provides 55 more hp over stock but at 4000 rpm it provides 95 hp over stock.

3. Also keep in mind that a smaller turbo can provide hp almost as quickly as a super charger and have a little more top end, OR a larger turbo will have more "lag" but MUCH higher top end hp output. Lastly, i'm not positive, but I believe a supercharger provides more torque over a turbo of equal output.

1. Not true.
A roots or screw style S/C will develop boost quickly as the rpm's rise.
However...
A centrifugal supercharger (I.E. Vortech) will slowly develop boost as the rpms rise quickly.

A S/C's boost is always rpm dependant!

2. Turbo's will beat a S/C in power output across the board. They just are much more efficient and their boost is Not RPM dependant.
Turbo lag is really a thing of the past unless you are running a monster size turbo at high boost on a very low compression engine.

A Turbo's main con is they add a tremendous amount of heat to the intake charge. Running a turbo without an intercooler is not only dangerous but IMO downright stupid!

3. A turbo will provide power MUCH sooner than a centrifugal supercharger and depending on the size and spool time just as fast as a roots style.
A supercharger in NO WAY produces more torque than a turbo. A roots comes close to matching a turbo, but a centrifugal is not even remotely close!

[gonzo666]

so basically don't waste money ont the Vortech Supercharger and save for the Street Flight turbo for better results in hp and torque

[Faboo]

Originally posted by: gonzo666
so basically don't waste money ont the Vortech Supercharger and save for the Street Flight turbo for better results in hp and torque

in general...

[pgtatx]

No that is completely wrong...

depending on your type of driving, goals, expertise, monetary flow, etc etc etc...will decide if a supercharger or turbo setup is for you.

If you have little money, then neither is for you. If you have minor expertise in cars, and have enough money to buy a SC kit, and other things to run safely and install it all (if you can't), then a SC is for you.

A SC will be preferred for those who decide they want more power, but not crazy amounts and might be a daily driver for them. No need to drop the extra $2000 on the turbo kit and then even more on install and tuning if you never utilize the turbo.

I'm not much of a racer these days, and a SC would be perfect for me. I can do the install in a weekend in my garage, get it tuned nice and easily, and be done with money to spare, and still have all the power I need.

Too many people are looking for the wrong thing when it comes to modding a car.

[gonzo666]

Now i want something that will pull me back to my seat i know both can do that but what is also more gas efficient and easier to maintain. With the SC being centrifugal would i need an intercooler or not. Also will it need a bigger exhaust like a turbo would or will any size matter.