Which is better, turbocharging or supercharging?
2 Answers
Here are the differences between supercharging and turbocharging: 1. Supercharging uses the engine's own power to drive a compressor for pressurization. The supercharger consumes engine power, and its speed changes with the engine speed, so there is no turbo lag. It performs excellently at low engine speeds, but it is limited by the engine speed and may provide insufficient boost at high engine speeds. 2. Turbocharging uses the exhaust gases produced by the engine to drive a turbine in the exhaust pipe, which in turn drives a turbine in the intake pipe for indirect pressurization, without consuming engine power. The turbocharger operates at extremely high speeds and provides several times more boost pressure than a supercharger. However, due to the inertia of the turbine and the considerable resistance of the intermediate bearings, the turbine speed does not increase immediately when exhaust gases suddenly increase, resulting in turbo lag.
Twenty years of running a repair shop have taught me that both supercharging methods have their merits. Turbocharging is like an endurance athlete, driven by engine exhaust, delivering exceptional power and fuel efficiency during high-speed cruising, making it ideal for long-distance driving. However, it struggles in traffic—there's a half-second delay after pressing the throttle before power kicks in, which can catch beginners off guard. Superchargers, on the other hand, are like sprinters, connected to the engine via a belt, delivering instant throttle response, making them perfect for city driving. But the higher the RPM, the more power they consume, and fuel efficiency drops noticeably. Just the other day, a modified car with a newly installed supercharger boasted about leaving electric cars half a car length behind at traffic lights, though the fuel gauge was visibly dropping faster.
