Differences between Turbo and Supercharger

[CWHFSR]

Howdy!

Granted, I've done research on the internet and there is a LOT of information out there, long with plenty of opinions, but I was hoping to get different points of view where questions can be asked instead of just reading.

I didn't know whether to put this in the turbo section or here, but since I'm more partial to getting a supercharger I put it here. I've never own or been in a vehicle with a supercharger but I owned a car with a turbo (was a 4 cyliner), I'm not really thinking I want to try that again...

So, couple questions. First on my mind:

Differences in milage? I know the biggest thing is to keep your foot off the gas. I know I probably wouldn't knowing my driving style but what the heck. I've read where a turbo can increase your milage a big (1-3 MPG) - what about a supercharger?

The delays... in the turbo that I owned I would be shifting most of the time before I would even get any boost or feeling of boost. I think the engine would have to be going at least 3500 before you would get anything then redlined at 5! Seemed like a waste to me. How are the superchargers?

For our cars... I know that tuning would be a must for either situation... how do they compare when using stock internals? I know that forged is the best, and you can't run high boost without forged... but the gaines still look to be pretty good.

Finally, boost or forged? For the same amount of money it looks like you can get a forged engine or even a completely built engine with a new cam, new head and all. How does that compare? Keep it NA for now but at least it is forged so if you go boost later the engine will be better able to handle it.

So, thoughts?

[Army_2006_SXT]

the lag that you felt with your last turbo setup isn't always what you will get with all turbo setups the better the setup the less lag where as since superchargers are directly ran by a belt that depends on the RPM of the motor you do tend to not feel that "lag." But keep in mind there is a reason why the drags run turbos now.

[RYAN@INJECTED]

Howdy!

Granted, I've done research on the internet and there is a LOT of information out there, long with plenty of opinions, but I was hoping to get different points of view where questions can be asked instead of just reading.

I didn't know whether to put this in the turbo section or here, but since I'm more partial to getting a supercharger I put it here. I've never own or been in a vehicle with a supercharger but I owned a car with a turbo (was a 4 cyliner), I'm not really thinking I want to try that again...

So, couple questions. First on my mind:

Differences in milage? I know the biggest thing is to keep your foot off the gas. I know I probably wouldn't knowing my driving style but what the heck. I've read where a turbo can increase your milage a big (1-3 MPG) - what about a supercharger?

The delays... in the turbo that I owned I would be shifting most of the time before I would even get any boost or feeling of boost. I think the engine would have to be going at least 3500 before you would get anything then redlined at 5! Seemed like a waste to me. How are the superchargers?

For our cars... I know that tuning would be a must for either situation... how do they compare when using stock internals? I know that forged is the best, and you can't run high boost without forged... but the gaines still look to be pretty good.

Finally, boost or forged? For the same amount of money it looks like you can get a forged engine or even a completely built engine with a new cam, new head and all. How does that compare? Keep it NA for now but at least it is forged so if you go boost later the engine will be better able to handle it.

So, thoughts?

1. Yes, it is possible to increase mileage with either and you are right about keeping your foot out of the gas. This also depends on how extreme your combo is.

2. We have installed quite a few supercharger kits on the Hemi motors. On the stock 5.7 they do still have a little lag but you will be impressed either way. On the 6.1's and the built motors with superchargers they rev like a chainsaw As far as turbos go; these motors move enough air that you will not have any spooling problems (so no worries there)

3. On stock motors they will have the same bottom end limits whether you opt for a supercharger or turbo. The only durability advantage of the turbo is that you do not have a belt pulling on the crank.

4. The horsepower per dollar ratio is better on a boosted engine than N/A built engine. Although you are correct if you build forged now you have no worries once you opt for boost.

5. Low boost 5.7 stock bottom end expect about 400rwhp
Low boost 6.1 stock bottom end expect about 500rwhp
Built 5.7 or 6.1 the sky is the limit depending on how far you want to take the combination

When you are ready to pull the trigger give us a call and we will be happy to help.

[stevesrt8]

Howdy!

Granted, I've done research on the internet and there is a LOT of information out there, long with plenty of opinions, but I was hoping to get different points of view where questions can be asked instead of just reading.

I didn't know whether to put this in the turbo section or here, but since I'm more partial to getting a supercharger I put it here. I've never own or been in a vehicle with a supercharger but I owned a car with a turbo (was a 4 cyliner), I'm not really thinking I want to try that again...

So, couple questions. First on my mind:

Differences in milage? I know the biggest thing is to keep your foot off the gas. I know I probably wouldn't knowing my driving style but what the heck. I've read where a turbo can increase your milage a big (1-3 MPG) - what about a supercharger?

The delays... in the turbo that I owned I would be shifting most of the time before I would even get any boost or feeling of boost. I think the engine would have to be going at least 3500 before you would get anything then redlined at 5! Seemed like a waste to me. How are the superchargers?

For our cars... I know that tuning would be a must for either situation... how do they compare when using stock internals? I know that forged is the best, and you can't run high boost without forged... but the gaines still look to be pretty good.

Finally, boost or forged? For the same amount of money it looks like you can get a forged engine or even a completely built engine with a new cam, new head and all. How does that compare? Keep it NA for now but at least it is forged so if you go boost later the engine will be better able to handle it.

So, thoughts?

First, they are both superchargers, just one is driven by a belt and one driven by exhaust.

The belt driven supercharger is simple, much easier install, and has a very linear power curve. Sort of like a straight line with power directly related to RPM. Big parasitic loss to drive it.

Turbo (if set up properly) can be efficient, develop boost at very low RPM, HUGE torque under the curve. That's a big if, though.

Some members are running turbo kits from our supporting vendors and claiming great results on stock engines.

In my experience I do not expect stock bottom ends to hold up under much boost, but I build for long term results.

[formerice]

There is another form of supercharging that you missed, chemical, or nitrous. Poo-pooed by many, but it has the same effect with no parasitic loss and it's much cheaper. Of course you don't get the whine from nitrous.

[MagnumRT05]

Howdy!

Granted, I've done research on the internet and there is a LOT of information out there, long with plenty of opinions, but I was hoping to get different points of view where questions can be asked instead of just reading.

I didn't know whether to put this in the turbo section or here, but since I'm more partial to getting a supercharger I put it here. I've never own or been in a vehicle with a supercharger but I owned a car with a turbo (was a 4 cyliner), I'm not really thinking I want to try that again...

So, couple questions. First on my mind:

Differences in milage? I know the biggest thing is to keep your foot off the gas. I know I probably wouldn't knowing my driving style but what the heck. I've read where a turbo can increase your milage a big (1-3 MPG) - what about a supercharger?

The delays... in the turbo that I owned I would be shifting most of the time before I would even get any boost or feeling of boost. I think the engine would have to be going at least 3500 before you would get anything then redlined at 5! Seemed like a waste to me. How are the superchargers?

For our cars... I know that tuning would be a must for either situation... how do they compare when using stock internals? I know that forged is the best, and you can't run high boost without forged... but the gaines still look to be pretty good.

Finally, boost or forged? For the same amount of money it looks like you can get a forged engine or even a completely built engine with a new cam, new head and all. How does that compare? Keep it NA for now but at least it is forged so if you go boost later the engine will be better able to handle it.

So, thoughts?

Ive seen my milage go from 12 to 17.2 mpg with my turbo/water/meth kit. Pretty sweet to me.

As far as delays/boost, I have to watch myself when passing someone because it will go right into boost and just take off. Theres very very minimal lag. I am running a little above 10.0 psi on my stock 5.7 with a decent tune, but its not something I would really recommend. I wouldnt run more than 8 psi on a 5.7 motor if you dont want to be rebuilding the motor right away. Luckily I am getting a new one, so I figured I would push it to the limit.

[MagnumRT05]

There is another form of supercharging that you missed, chemical, or nitrous. Poo-pooed by many, but it has the same effect with no parasitic loss and it's much cheaper. Of course you don't get the whine from nitrous.

True, but its not daily/unlimited power. Once you run out, youre out. A very good route if youre making a track car, but not in a street car until you just cant make power any other way.

[TTMR]

Another thing to remember about the lag you mentioned, I'm going to assume that the turbo car you had in the past was a manual transmission. These cars have automatic transmissions so the engine stays under load with the throttle open through the shift. This means that a turbo will loose very little boost during the shift, possibly even less than a supercharged engine where boost is directly proportional to the RPM.

[goMANgo259]

i'd go with a turbo. they're more efficient. you were talking about MPG's... turbo will help a little, but i'd bet a supercharger would decrease MPG's...

if you want a turbo i'd wait a little while though. the first turbos just started coming out (for lx's) a few months ago i think.

[Super T]

CTS has like 50,000 miles on their turbo car by now, very tried-and-true setup. No clue on price but they can tell you. Personally, purely for nostalgia and show value, a proper roots-style blower is the only FI route I'd go. My goal is a blown 426 before the car is paid off (four years) :-)

[CWHFSR]

The reason I didn't mention nitrous is because I was looking at more of a bolt-on and forget it type of a set up. That being said I can see going for a meth injection since I have a stock engine and that could help to prevent premature death.

Yes, the previous turbo I had was a manual transmission. I can see your point about how that would be effective.

I'm not tooooooooo worried about the sound of the vehicle. This is the first V8 I've ever owned. Yes, I do love that growl but for 100+ more HP I can live with a turbo whine.

I don't have to worry about doing this too soon. It wouldn't be until mid next year at the earliest anyway, I just like to research WELL in advance so I know the total cost and not just what one piece cost. Things like getting a full tune (another 500-800) plus possible things like the meth injector.

Thanks!

[lou1355]

True, but its not daily/unlimited power. Once you run out, youre out. A very good route if youre making a track car, but not in a street car until you just cant make power any other way.

I have a built stroker that has more power/torque than I can ever use on the street. With a direct port nitrous system, I add huge power at the track. That just seems to me to be the best setup.

Of course, I keep grenading trannies, so I can't prove anything at the moment.

But,....tick...tock

[PURPETRATOR]

I ran a paxton on a lt1 for 67,000 miles. 6.5 pounds of boost. Things to consider:
my milage increased on the highway by 2 mpg, decrease by 3 in the city. I had to be really careful in the heavy rain not to hydro lock the motor(water intake). This may not be a concern were you live, in so florida it is. Which has me a bit leary about the turbo system (Rear mounted). I am not sure but I think it gets it oil via the motor (filter spacer or tap?). The Paxton took me about 30 hours to install. Vortec is now self contained which I like. But I really would like a roots blower but unfortunatly $$$$. One thing I laugh about was I bought my paxton kit for 3200 drove it for 6 years and sold it for 2600.

[MagnumRT05]

The reason I didn't mention nitrous is because I was looking at more of a bolt-on and forget it type of a set up. That being said I can see going for a meth injection since I have a stock engine and that could help to prevent premature death.

Yes, the previous turbo I had was a manual transmission. I can see your point about how that would be effective.

I'm not tooooooooo worried about the sound of the vehicle. This is the first V8 I've ever owned. Yes, I do love that growl but for 100+ more HP I can live with a turbo whine.

I don't have to worry about doing this too soon. It wouldn't be until mid next year at the earliest anyway, I just like to research WELL in advance so I know the total cost and not just what one piece cost. Things like getting a full tune (another 500-800) plus possible things like the meth injector.

Thanks!

The CIS kit comes with water/meth injection. Its the only turbo kit out right now that will give you growl/whine with the Magnaflow setup it comes with.

I have a built stroker that has more power/torque than I can ever use on the street. With a direct port nitrous system, I add huge power at the track. That just seems to me to be the best setup.

Of course, I keep grenading trannies, so I can't prove anything at the moment.

But,....tick...tock

Nitrous is the best setup for folks that like to frequent the tracks and thats been proven over and over. To me, my car is 95% a street car, so stroker/nitrous only isnt an option. Your car is a very rare one, so thats why you dont need juice/any more power on the street.

Get that tranny built so you can be the 1st to 9s. A Magnum that runs 9s is gonna be very very cool and Im anxiously waiting.