Turbo VS Supercharged?

Question

What is the fastest engine

Answer 1

Most of the time, it's a turbocharged engine.

Answer 2

Seems like most dragsters that use a roots type supercharger have higher track times. Root type superchargers give you instant boost so you do not have to worry about any turbo lag.

It seems like this debate is one of the largest and there will always be pros and cons to each systems.

Most people will throw at you that a supercharger will rob power from the engine so that you can drive the supercharger...while a turbo does not. However a turbo engine is hooked up to the headers which 1. does not allow the air flow to run efficiently. It also causes a restriction on the exhaust side which also robs HP from the engine. 2. Turbos usually produces more heat. With higher temperatures usually you have to retard the timing causing you to lose HP.

Basically with both systems there will always be pros and cons, it basically comes down to which is more piratical for your application. BOTH systems can produce as much HP as you will like...however you usually are limited on how strong your engine is built and how much money...time...and drivablity you want to sacrifice.

Answer 3

A Supercharged Top Fuel Dragster will reach a speed of 330 MPH but can just make the quarter-mile. A Turbo-Charged Top Fuel has been tried, but due to the 'Turbo Lag' are not competitive. A Turbo-Charged Champ Car will exceed 230 MPH, but can go 500 miles. Several Supercharged Indy Cars were used in the 1950's and 1960's, but due to fuel restictions, the Turbo-Charged cars turned out to be more efficient. There have been engines, (mostly used on boats), where a Supercharger and Turbo-Charger combo used, giving you the 'best' of both. The quick acceleration of being Supercharged, then cutting 'off' for the more efficient usage of the higher speed of Turbo-Charging.

Answer 4

What do you mean by "fast?" Formula 1 cars are naturally aspirated, hit 20,000 RPM, and use neither one.

Turbocharging will net you more horsepower, but is worthless at lower RPMs when coming out of a corner.

Supercharging gives more usable power, and Top Fuel dragsters are all supercharged. Their engines approach 5,000 horsepower (no kidding) and put it down on the track instantly, blowing out a set of spark plugs every run and sucking almost 5 gallons of fuel per 4-second run.

The downside to supercharging is that it uses some engine power to gain a lot more, since it runs off of a pulley like your air conditioner. But losing 10 hp to gain 120 hp is a good trade, right?

The key is to pick the engine enhancement according to what you're racing. Turbos aren't good in the corners, and superchargers suffer in peak horsepower and top speed (generally speaking).

Answer 5

Turbo charger works off your engine's exhaust and does not draw any power off the engine making it the most efficient.

The supercharger on the other hand takes power from the engine to operate it deceasing the engines horsepower output to the wheels as compared to the same volume turbo charger

Answer 6

It depends on the type of engine you have, if you have a petrol car, you can go for Supercharger, the supercharger offer a considerable increase in power for a slightest increase in weight.

Answer 7

I would have to say the turbo, because it is free horsepower driven off the exhaust, where the supercharger is taken power from the crank, which takes horsepower to turn it.

Answer 8

It depends on your definition of faster:
Given the same motor and boost:
Adding a turbo would yeild greater acceleration numbers than the supercharger.
Adding a supercharger would yeild greater top end power and top speed.

Answer 9

TUDBO.