whats the difference between regular turbos and ball bearings? and how about superchargers??

Question

whats the difference between regular turbos and ball bearings? and how about superchargers?? i've looked at many, and i know that like 20G = 500 hp or w/e, and 16G = 200hp on the standard turbos, i think thats right?? probably without subtracting the loss from the weight of the car and other factors.

But what i came here to ask is what makes ball bearings special? and are they more powerful?? and by how much??

Also Superchargers, are they more powerful then turbos??

Answer 1

Ball-bearing technology is for faster turbo spool up and throttle response - it doesn't say anything about the size of the wheel or affect the power output.

Some ball-bearing turbos do not have rebuildable cartridges like thrust-bearing turbos. The 16G and 20G are thrust-bearing Mitsubishi turbos. They are rebuildable (you don't need to buy a completely new turbo if damaged). The 20G is a 640 cfm turbo with a 44.5 lb wheel. The 16G is a 520 cfm turbo with a 33.5 lb wheel. This means they can support an approximate maximum hp rating of 475hp (640/1.35) and 385hp (520/1.35).

Turbo power output is mainly controlled by the size of the compressor wheel and the housing.

Answer 2

/facepalm Does no-one know how to google any more? One-liner description: Both compress the air fed towards the engine inlet so it works at a higher pressure and so can burn more fuel in each turn of the crank, making more power. However, a Turbocharger uses a turbine powered by the exhaust gases to spin the compressor, whilst a Supercharger is directly driven from the engine crankshaft, either by a belt/chain, by gears, or being directly mounted on it. A turbo therefore is more efficient and flexible, only boosting in response to power demand and putting less drag on the engine, and is easier to fit as a basic one only interacts with the easily-reroutable intake and exhaust pipes, but can suffer from lag and is often totally ineffective at low rpm. A supercharged engine is much more responsive (as it's always "on boost" and doesn't lag), especially at low rpm, and works better for higher boost pressures and for high-altitude use, but is less efficient (still boosts at low load, puts more drag on the engine, meaning it's rarely used for small engines) and more complicated to install as a way has to be found to connect it to the crank as well as the intake.

Answer 3

I'll start with the difference between Turbos and supers. Supers are belt driven, off the serpinetine belt on the front of the engine(some bigger ones are chain, or have their own independant belt.) The advantage of a supercharger is the power is on right away, as the super spins up as fast as the engine belt will drive it. The main disadvantage is the supercharger takes power to turn it. Turbos on the other hand are exhaust driven. Being driven by exhaust means that they make "free" power. Unlike the super they do not need the engine to turn them directly. Their main disadvantage is there is a "lag" as they spool up to gain boost pressures. As far as retrofitting a naturally aspirated engine, the supercharger option is usually cheaper, as you do not need to modify your exaust system as a well as your intake as you do with a turbocharger.

A properly tuned turbo system will perform just as well as a supercharger system.

I'm not aware of any non ball bearing turbos, as they can spin at speeds of up to 150000rpm. A simple bushing style bearing would be torn to shreds at this speed.

Answer 4

O.K. your best bet is to look back in history - i.e. 1987 buick gran national. 231 v-6. now the gran national had a twin - the GNX - same motor same turbo , but the bearing on this turbo was a porclein one - it supposedly produced more power and was lighter&more durable
As for superchargers--- instant power - no spool up - no lag (if you couple that with a NOS fogger.... well let's just say bring a change of underwear)