Turbo VS Supercharger
01-28-2007, 04:36 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Turbo VS Supercharger
Ok, so this is just a start, but please give input so we can make it better.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are more types of superchargers than many realize, but there are FOUR main designs that have caught on. Yes, i said four. While a turbocharger is not usually referred to as or known to be a supercharger, it still technically is a supercharger. If you are looking for turbo information, go here. The other three popular types of superchargers are twin-screw, roots, and centrifugal superchargers.
ROOTS STYLE
The roots style supercharger is the most commonly used. Although it is fairly innefficient compared to others such as a twin-screw, the designs are fairly simple and very reliable. Many factory vehicles come off of the assembly line equipped with this type of supercharger for this reason. This type of system (if done properly) is VERY streetable and will give a much more natural feel when it comes to power delivery compared to other methods of forced induction which is why they are not only popular with auto-makers, but also in the aftermarket. Unfortunately all of these high points come with a few low points. This design is pretty inneficient and will not produce the kind of performance a properly designed turbo system or twin screw system will provide, so if ultimate track performance is what you are looking for, this is not the way to go, but if you are looking for a great jump in power that will be very reliable, streetable, and fun, you should consider a roots blower.
TWIN-SCREW
A twin-screw supercharger has alot in common with a roots style supercharger, but there are a few key differences. A roots style supercharger compresses air into the manifold, then into the motor (or thru an intercooler and into the engine) while a twin-screw actually compresses the air inside of the supercharger itself and then into the motor, which helps this design to be quite a bit more efficient that a roots blower because of less turbulance and "backflow." Twin-screw superchargers tend to be the most expensive of the bunch, so those of you on a tight budget may want to look at other options. this system will provide alot of the high points of the roots (streetability, reliabilty and extremely linear power delivery) along with better performance because of the higher efficiency, and more power potential in the future. If you are looking for fun factor, good track performance, along with reliability, and you aren't on a tight budget, this is a good way to go.
CENTRIFUGAL SUPERCHARGER
This is the oddball of the bunch. A centrifugal supercharger has many things in common with a turbocharger. A Centrifugal supercharger is belt/pulley driven, just like a roots/twin-screw, but has a head unit that is very similar to a turbo. Instead of using rotors like a twin-screw or roots, the centri uses blades like a turbo does to compress the air into piping, then either straight into the intake manifold, or thru an intercooler, then into the intake manifold. This is usually the cheapest way to go out of the bunch and although they are getting much better reliability wise, they are still a bit behind the reliability of a roots/twin-screw in most applications. This design does not make power as quickly as the two, above mentioned designs, which in some cases is better. This may be the way to go for many of you looking for power-adders as the cobalts are fwd, and in a fwd car you just don't want a rediculous amount of low-end torque. The centri will have a better top-end than a twin-screw/roots blower in most situations, and will not make nearly as much low end power because they have an almost "lag" like a turbocharger. This may sound like a bad thing, but that is not necessarily so. This will help you keep traction because it doesn't make nearly as much low-end power, but will make up for the lesser low end in it's top end power. Despite the lesser reliability (not by alot these days) the centrifugal supercharger has started to become VERY popular in the aftermarket because of its high points. They are power on demand just like the other two, are usually a fair amount cheaper and have more potential for power in the future if you plan on going even further with your car.
I do not have time right now to go into detail of how each one works specifically, but i will do that sometime this week when i have more time, and I will include detailed explanations of everything i have talked about, so check back or pm me if you have questions. I will make some animations in engineering tech at school too if i have time. As of now this is just kind of a basic explanation for people looking to go forced induction on a 2.2 or 2.4, or for 2.0's that want to upgrade, but don't necessarily want to go turbo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are more types of superchargers than many realize, but there are FOUR main designs that have caught on. Yes, i said four. While a turbocharger is not usually referred to as or known to be a supercharger, it still technically is a supercharger. If you are looking for turbo information, go here. The other three popular types of superchargers are twin-screw, roots, and centrifugal superchargers.
ROOTS STYLE
The roots style supercharger is the most commonly used. Although it is fairly innefficient compared to others such as a twin-screw, the designs are fairly simple and very reliable. Many factory vehicles come off of the assembly line equipped with this type of supercharger for this reason. This type of system (if done properly) is VERY streetable and will give a much more natural feel when it comes to power delivery compared to other methods of forced induction which is why they are not only popular with auto-makers, but also in the aftermarket. Unfortunately all of these high points come with a few low points. This design is pretty inneficient and will not produce the kind of performance a properly designed turbo system or twin screw system will provide, so if ultimate track performance is what you are looking for, this is not the way to go, but if you are looking for a great jump in power that will be very reliable, streetable, and fun, you should consider a roots blower.
TWIN-SCREW
A twin-screw supercharger has alot in common with a roots style supercharger, but there are a few key differences. A roots style supercharger compresses air into the manifold, then into the motor (or thru an intercooler and into the engine) while a twin-screw actually compresses the air inside of the supercharger itself and then into the motor, which helps this design to be quite a bit more efficient that a roots blower because of less turbulance and "backflow." Twin-screw superchargers tend to be the most expensive of the bunch, so those of you on a tight budget may want to look at other options. this system will provide alot of the high points of the roots (streetability, reliabilty and extremely linear power delivery) along with better performance because of the higher efficiency, and more power potential in the future. If you are looking for fun factor, good track performance, along with reliability, and you aren't on a tight budget, this is a good way to go.
CENTRIFUGAL SUPERCHARGER
This is the oddball of the bunch. A centrifugal supercharger has many things in common with a turbocharger. A Centrifugal supercharger is belt/pulley driven, just like a roots/twin-screw, but has a head unit that is very similar to a turbo. Instead of using rotors like a twin-screw or roots, the centri uses blades like a turbo does to compress the air into piping, then either straight into the intake manifold, or thru an intercooler, then into the intake manifold. This is usually the cheapest way to go out of the bunch and although they are getting much better reliability wise, they are still a bit behind the reliability of a roots/twin-screw in most applications. This design does not make power as quickly as the two, above mentioned designs, which in some cases is better. This may be the way to go for many of you looking for power-adders as the cobalts are fwd, and in a fwd car you just don't want a rediculous amount of low-end torque. The centri will have a better top-end than a twin-screw/roots blower in most situations, and will not make nearly as much low end power because they have an almost "lag" like a turbocharger. This may sound like a bad thing, but that is not necessarily so. This will help you keep traction because it doesn't make nearly as much low-end power, but will make up for the lesser low end in it's top end power. Despite the lesser reliability (not by alot these days) the centrifugal supercharger has started to become VERY popular in the aftermarket because of its high points. They are power on demand just like the other two, are usually a fair amount cheaper and have more potential for power in the future if you plan on going even further with your car.
I do not have time right now to go into detail of how each one works specifically, but i will do that sometime this week when i have more time, and I will include detailed explanations of everything i have talked about, so check back or pm me if you have questions. I will make some animations in engineering tech at school too if i have time. As of now this is just kind of a basic explanation for people looking to go forced induction on a 2.2 or 2.4, or for 2.0's that want to upgrade, but don't necessarily want to go turbo.
Last edited by 8cd03gro; 01-29-2007 at 10:22 PM.
01-28-2007, 05:37 PM
#3
Banned
Join Date: 01-28-07
Location: 661
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/forced-induction-50/forced-induction-101-a-8183/
Even though there is SOME misinformation on there.
01-28-2007, 07:54 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
B. I said there should be a STICKY about it so people wouldn't have to search. That is kind of the point of a sticky. If there already is a thread like this, it should be made a sticky.
01-28-2007, 09:28 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
THANK YOU! see njhk did a good write-up on turbos. we need to have a sticky about blowers too. i have to do my homework right now, but later tonight or tomorrow we can all collaborate and get something going.
01-28-2007, 10:21 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LOL not for all intents and purposes. In MOST track situations yes....but alot of times on a street car that doesn't often go to the track, a blower may be the better idea. don't have time to start on this right now, but we will tomorrow if people want.
01-29-2007, 09:16 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-29-05
Location: AZ
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
j/k, of course it will turn into a debate but isn't that what the thread is for...post facts!
01-29-2007, 10:40 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-28-06
Location: United States
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, this will take a while. and your comments about roots style superchargers have been changed now with the introduction of the TVS supercharger. Its actually more thermally efficient than a twin screw. Although i know people will debate this.. i can tell you that many people in the boosting industry have taken notice..
If you want some topics to discuss you can go over how to read a supercharger/turbo map..
Isentropic (adiabatic) effciency
Pressure ratio's
volumetric efficiency
etc..
If you want some topics to discuss you can go over how to read a supercharger/turbo map..
Isentropic (adiabatic) effciency
Pressure ratio's
volumetric efficiency
etc..
01-29-2007, 10:51 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, this will take a while. and your comments about roots style superchargers have been changed now with the introduction of the TVS supercharger. Its actually more thermally efficient than a twin screw. Although i know people will debate this.. i can tell you that many people in the boosting industry have taken notice..
If you want some topics to discuss you can go over how to read a supercharger/turbo map..
Isentropic (adiabatic) effciency
Pressure ratio's
volumetric efficiency
etc..
If you want some topics to discuss you can go over how to read a supercharger/turbo map..
Isentropic (adiabatic) effciency
Pressure ratio's
volumetric efficiency
etc..
01-30-2007, 07:03 PM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EDIT: one thing i must warn you all about is procharger's customer service. they are one of the top aftermarket blower providers and make a GREAT product, but i have heard TONS of bad things about their customer service. If you ever buy procharger, buy it for the hardware, and make sure you know your way around everything before you do it because they will be little help.
Last edited by 8cd03gro; 01-30-2007 at 08:19 PM.
01-30-2007, 08:17 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 05-09-06
Location: .
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yea if you have questions please pm me or there are a bunch of other members with forced induction knowledge that could help you out. Again, sorry this is kinda short right now, but i don't have alot of time on my hands right now because of school/work. Expect A LOT more info by this coming monday.
02-01-2007, 04:30 PM
#25
Junior Member
Join Date: 07-19-06
Location: Milltown, NJ
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There was sombody on here advertising that they are ganna make a procharger kit . But I can't find the post any more. Procharger sparked an interest for me.
~~Alex
~~Alex