Superchargers Vs Super Mergers Research Paper

Roman Rodriguez
Mr. Gerleman
Composition 1301
27 February 2012
Turbochargers vs. Superchargers
Have you ever wanted to know how to make your car go faster? While I can make no guarantees that your car will be a qualifier for the next Fast and Furious movie, I can coach you on how to get the biggest bang for your buck, or in this case, speed from your engine. The simplest method for boosting speed is installing a force induction system that consists of either a turbocharger or a supercharger. Most turbochargers and superchargers can be bolted on to your motor with minimal to moderate modifications. While both types of systems can produce significant amounts of horsepower, turbochargers are the better choice based on extent of horsepower
Superchargers are connected to the engines crank belt and spin simultaneously. Because they are connected to the belt, superchargers can only spin as fast as the belt spins. In general they produce a much wider power band than turbochargers because they make larger boosts at very low and very high rpms, creating boost over 20 psi (pounds per square inch). On the other hand, turbocharges are connected to the exhaust manifold and utilize high-energy exhaust gases to spin the turbo. Because these systems are not physically connected to the engine, they can spin much faster and more freely. This means that turbochargers will generally create more boost than superchargers, in many cases producing over 30 psi. The more boosts you can create the more horsepower you can
Since superchargers are connected the engine crank pulley, they spin up immediately when you give gas and create no lag. Turbochargers are commonly known for their lag. This lag refers to the time immediately after the throttle has been applied to the engine and when the turbo begins to spool up. Until the turbo can spool up to the point it can compress air, the engine runs without force induction creating a period of low power. The larger the turbo used, the greater the lag because of the increased energy used to spool up the turbine. The parasitic affect of a supercharger creates a less fuel-efficient engine because it takes away power from the engine to operate the supercharger. As for turbochargers, since they use air to spin the turbine, they do not take away any power from the motor. Actually they create a more fuel-efficient motor because it uses the air that the motor throws away and reuses that air to create power again. Superchargers are much safer to use. They don’t run nearly as hot and don’t surge, but they do not create as much boost as high performance turbochargers. Therefore, engine detonation is much less likely. Engine detonation occurs when excessive heat and pressure in the combustion chamber causes the air/fuel mixture to auto