Which is Better: Turbocharging or Supercharging?
1 Answers
Supercharging is better. Here is a detailed analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of supercharging and turbocharging: 1. Advantages of Turbocharging: The power source of turbocharging is engine exhaust, which is equivalent to waste utilization. Therefore, it can increase intake efficiency and improve engine thermal efficiency without consuming the engine's own power, achieving two goals at once. Moreover, the structure of a turbocharger is much simpler compared to a supercharger, making its manufacturing and maintenance costs significantly lower. 2. Disadvantages of Turbocharging: It only functions at high engine speeds. When the engine is at low speeds, the exhaust energy is relatively small, making it difficult to drive the turbo to high speeds. As a result, the turbo's effect on intake boosting is very limited at this stage. Only when the engine speed increases can the turbo operate effectively, and the higher the engine speed, the better the turbo performs. Slow response. Since fresh air needs to enter the engine, participate in combustion, expel exhaust, and then drive the turbo, this process takes a certain amount of time. Therefore, there is always a slight delay between when you want to gain power and when you actually receive it, creating a "lagging" sensation known as turbo lag. 3. Advantages of Supercharging: Supercharging directly addresses the shortcomings of turbocharging. As soon as the engine starts running, the supercharger begins to rotate, so it can demonstrate excellent boosting effects even at low engine speeds, unlike a turbo that must wait for high speeds and sufficient exhaust energy to start working. Additionally, since it is mechanically connected to the engine crankshaft, there is no lag, and its "on-demand" performance results in a more linear boosting effect. 4. Disadvantages of Supercharging: Complex structure. A supercharger is essentially an air compressor, and its structure is more complex than that of a turbo, making its manufacturing and maintenance costs much higher. This is why superchargers are mostly found in luxury vehicles. Power consumption during boosting. The primary purpose of intake boosting is to improve engine thermal efficiency. The biggest drawback of supercharging is that while it enhances efficiency, it also consumes engine power. Furthermore, the higher the engine speed, the more power it consumes, often making the power gain less noticeable at high speeds.
