supercharger
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
Yea, this is a broad question, but in general superchargers are easier to install and maintain. But not always cheaper.
Both are cans of worms by themselves, but given any engine a turbo will make more power at the same PSI compared to a SC.
A SC is a parasitic power adder. Up to 30% loss for any gain. IE - SC made 100 extra hp, but it took 30 hp to drive the belts. SC usually runs 5-10psi with available power as soon as you hit the gas. More power if you add an after cooler and $$$.
A turbo is "free power". The turbo kit can be less $$$ (without inter cooler). The free power comes from the exhaust gas that is going to be waste anyway. Turbos usually run 5-10 PSI street, (no internal engine mods) 10+ PSI strip/street (may need heavy internal mods) Oh and add an inter cooler for big $$$ and get mad power gains. Now for the bad news: they are complex and require serious tunning to reach full potential (and not blow a hole in your block) Don't laugh it happens alot when: stock engine + turbo kit + 0 knowledge + 0 tuning = BOOM
Just my opinion - read all about turbos for at least 6 months before you even think about trying this at home. Have fun.
Both are cans of worms by themselves, but given any engine a turbo will make more power at the same PSI compared to a SC.
A SC is a parasitic power adder. Up to 30% loss for any gain. IE - SC made 100 extra hp, but it took 30 hp to drive the belts. SC usually runs 5-10psi with available power as soon as you hit the gas. More power if you add an after cooler and $$$.
A turbo is "free power". The turbo kit can be less $$$ (without inter cooler). The free power comes from the exhaust gas that is going to be waste anyway. Turbos usually run 5-10 PSI street, (no internal engine mods) 10+ PSI strip/street (may need heavy internal mods) Oh and add an inter cooler for big $$$ and get mad power gains. Now for the bad news: they are complex and require serious tunning to reach full potential (and not blow a hole in your block) Don't laugh it happens alot when: stock engine + turbo kit + 0 knowledge + 0 tuning = BOOM
Just my opinion - read all about turbos for at least 6 months before you even think about trying this at home. Have fun.
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From: Minnesota
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Originally posted by seth1
what do you think of this thing called a turbonator check it out at
www.turbonator.com
what do you think of this thing called a turbonator check it out at
www.turbonator.com
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: California Desert
I have been searching for half a year and I have never found a supercharger for Ranger 4cyl engines. What you could do is get the turbo from a 2.3L Turbo Mustang. I've heard that it is a straight swap over with just a bit of moding. Wish it was the same for my 2.5L...