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Turbochargers vs. Superchargers
What is Charging Anyway?
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Turbochargers vs Superchargers
Charging is a must-have in modern sports cars – they have either a supercharger or a turbocharger.
There are many reasons why charged engines have become the go-to choice. And they’re also more efficient than naturally aspirated engines. But what are the actual differences between a turbocharger and a supercharger? To get your head round the pros and cons of each system, plus everything else you need to know, read on. We’re about to tell you!
CONTENT
- 1. Turbos and superchargers – what is engine charging?
- 2. Function – what’s the difference between a turbocharger and a supercharger?
- 3. Turbo and twin-turbo – what’s the difference?
- 4. Superchargers vs turbochargers: the key differences
- 5. Which is better? – pros and cons compared
- 6. Conclusion
- 7. Do you need professional support?
Turbos and superchargers – what is engine charging?
Charging is the process where intake air is compressed to improve engine efficiency and performance. Compressed means that the air is fed into the engine at a higher pressure, which makes higher volumes of air available for combustion. In turn, the higher proportion of oxygen allows you to burn more fuel, which is an absolute must if you want to enhance performance.
The job of turbos and superchargers is to increase the pressure of the intake air. Additional techniques like flow vibrations, a modified camshaft, optimised pipes, and blowers, are also used to either increase it or keep it consistently high.
Of course, in practice, engine charging can’t boost performance beyond a certain point. The increased pressure puts the whole engine under extreme mechanical and thermal stress. So all the components have to be able to withstand that. If you want to know how to make your turbo last longer, take a look at our turbo rules and turbo tips.
The compressor characteristic isn’t expressed as the boost pressure as such, but as the ratio of the compression rates before and after the compressor. Take a look at our compression calculator.
Function – what’s the difference between a turbocharger and a supercharger?
Turbochargers and superchargers are both responsible for charging. They compress the air, allowing more oxygen to reach the engine. As explained earlier, a higher oxygen content is the key criterion for higher performance, which is where naturally aspirated engines fall short. So, we’ve covered what they have in common. But what are the differences between a turbocharger and a supercharger?
A turbocharger, also called an exhaust gas turbocharger, takes advantage of the exhaust gas flow, i.e. the hot, expanding exhaust gases. These gases drive the turbine and the compressor. And the turbine drives the impeller, a wheel that blows air into the engine and increases the air pressure in the turbo. This means the pistons don’t need to work so hard to suck in air, producing a noticeable increase in performance.
Superchargers are slightly different: they do blow air into the engine, but they’re driven mechanically rather than by the exhaust gas. This mechanism is usually a belt on the engine itself.
The driving experience you get with a supercharger is comparable to the old V8 engines and their corresponding cylinder capacity: a deeper sound and higher speeds. Turbocharged engines, on the other hand, are more efficient. But their big shortcoming is response. This delayed reaction is what causes the infamous problem of turbo lag. But there is a solution: a biturbo, or twin-turbo.
Turbo and twin-turbo – what’s the difference?
Twin-turbo engines have two turbochargers that function exactly like single turbos. But their advantage is that the second turbo can compensate for turbo lag, and overall coordination is much smoother. Specifically and most importantly, twin-turbos deliver the torque required in low-speed ranges, which means you don’t need to floor it every time you want to overtake. To equalize the lower speed range, you need either a smaller turbocharger installed in addition to a larger one, or two of the same size (a twin-turbo). The biturbo version is generally used in powerful engines such as those in sports cars, and in vans like the VW T5 Transporter. Whether diesel or petrol, the system works in the same way. Since turbocharged engines have reserves and the fuel distribution is so high, you also stand to save on fuel – as much as 40% compared to a naturally aspirated engine.
Superchargers vs turbochargers: the key differences
The main differences between superchargers and turbochargers come down to response. A turbocharger only takes a moment to provide sufficient exhaust gas and pressure. Sure, we can use targeted tuning to improve response, and a twin-turbo does its best to neutralize turbo lag, but the lag is effectively built into the design. A supercharger is ready when the engine is, as it operates exclusively on engine speed and doesn’t need to wait for exhaust gases. Accordingly, its response is significantly better than that of a turbo engine. But precisely because the supercharger is ready for use at the same time, it’s also less efficient and consumes more fuel. Of course, the more performance you ask of the car, the more fuel you’ll use no matter which option you have.
Which is better? – pros and cons compared
For most people, the biggest question is probably which is better, a turbocharger or a supercharger? And although the major difference between the two is also the biggest downside of a turbo, the automotive industry prefers turbos. That comes down entirely to their higher efficiency – and not just in terms of fuel. A turbocharged engine can in fact be built smaller, lighter and greener while also delivering higher performance. So turbos are more environmentally appealing and therefore a better prospect for the future. As electrification is the megatrend, manufacturers are now also fitting turbo engines with an electrically powered additional supercharger that counteracts turbo lag at low speeds. When all is said and done, there are pros and cons on both sides, so as for which type is better, it’s a personal choice. Here are the advantages and disadvantages at a glance:
Turbo advantages
- Higher performance at lower consumption
- Lower CO2 emissions, greener
- Smaller
- Lighter engine, lighter design
Turbo disadvantages
- Turbo lag (poor response)
- High stress and low durability
Supercharger advantages
- Nostalgic driving feel
- Better response
Supercharger disadvantages
- Higher fuel consumption
- Louder
Conclusion
Everything points to the turbocharger as the favorite for engine charging. But we know what an emotional decision it can be choosing between them because ultimately it comes down to your personal preferences. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and this article gives you the information you need in order to weigh them up.
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Comments
Holger Recknagel
02.01.2024, 19:13 Uhr
Kann man mit einem Kompressor einen Saugdiesel betreiben
Dejan
27.08.2024, 17:26 Uhr
Hallo,
Ich bin auf der Suche nach einen Schraubenkompressor der für 2 Liter Benziner angepasst werden kann.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
His first car was a Polo Mk1 with a 40 Weber twin carburetor and 129 PS (95 kW). His second was an Audi 50. Today Bartek tunes Lamborghinis to 1000 PS (735 kW). Even as a young boy, Bartek disassembled vehicles and put everything back together better. He wrote his high school diploma with oil on his fingers. The trained automotive mechanic with a focus on engines and gearboxes was determined to go into motorsports. In his 10 years in Formal 1, he supervised 73 races, including as engine mechanic for Ralf Schumacher at Toyota. Since 2010, he has dedicated himself fully to his company BAR-TEK® and helps his customers to bring VW and Audi engines to peak performance.
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