Turbocharged vs Supercharged Engines
Turbocharged vs supercharged engines, what’s different?

Turbocharged vs supercharged engines, let’s have a look at the differences

Turbocharged vs supercharged engines. Both are forms of forced induction engines. They use mechanical devices to force more air into the engine to increase power output. While they achieve the same goal, the way they go about it is quite different.

Turbocharged Engines:

  1. Uses a turbine to compress incoming air, which is then sent into the engine’s combustion chamber
  2. The turbine is powered by exhaust gases, which spin a compressor wheel
  3. Can produce more power than a naturally aspirated engine of the same size
  4. More efficient than supercharging as it uses energy that would otherwise be wasted (exhaust gases) to compress the air
  5. One of the main drawbacks is turbo lag, which is the delay between pressing the accelerator and the turbocharger producing boost
  6. Turbocharged engines can be more complex and require more maintenance than naturally aspirated engines

Supercharged Engines:

  1. Uses a belt-driven compressor to compress incoming air
  2. The compressor is connected to the engine’s crankshaft and spins at the same speed as the engine
  3. Can produce boost at lower RPMs than a turbocharger, reducing or even eliminating turbo lag
  4. Simpler and more reliable than turbocharged engines, as they have fewer moving parts and don’t rely on exhaust gases to function
  5. Can be more efficient than turbochargers at lower RPMs, making them ideal for high-performance applications where instant throttle response is important
  6. Require energy from the engine to function, which can result in lower overall efficiency and fuel economy
  7. Can generate more heat than turbochargers, which can be detrimental to engine performance and reliability

What’s Better?

Turbocharged engines are ideal for high-performance applications where maximum power is the priority. Supercharged engines, on the other hand, are better suited for applications where instant throttle response is important.

Both turbocharged and supercharged engines have their pros and cons and the choice between them depends on the specific application. If you’re in the market for a performance vehicle, it’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of both types of engines before making a decision.