The difference between superchargers and turbochargers

A supercharger by common definition is anything that compresses air and forces it into an engine.

In street talk, a supercharger is drived directly by the engine using a belt, gear or chain. There is no or very little delay in response when pushing on the gas and when the additional power created by the supercharger kicks in. That is why superchargers in their truest definition are used in drag racers.

Because of the definition of supercharger is anything that compresses air and forces it into an engine, a turbocharger falls into the category of a supercharger. The only difference is that a turbocharger is driven by the exhaust gas of the engine so there is no direct connection to the engine mechanically.

Turbochargers are effective and more efficient in providing extra power, but they don't provide the almost instant response that true drag racers want and need to perform.

You'll find turbochargers on most diesel engines because they give the diesel a power boost for acceleration and power when its needed.

Hope this clears up some of the misunderstanding that exists about the difference between superchargers and turbochargers.

Until next time...

Supercharger basics

A supercharger is nothing more than a compressor that compresses air and forces it into the combustion chamber of an engine.

There are two types of superchargers...some are more common than others.

1. Positive displacement - depend on tight meshing of gears to compress air.
2. Dynamic - rely on increasing the air velocity and then exchanging the velocity for pressure by diffusing it or slowing it down. Centrifugal, multi-stage axial flow and pressure wave superchargers are examples.

Superchargers are driven by a bunch of different methods:

1. Direct drive from the crankshaft of the engine using belts, chains or gears
2. exhaust gas turbine such as turbochargers on diesel engines

For more detailed discussion of manufacturers and efficiency of superchargers you can go to the following address:

Supercharger

In a later post, I'll work to demistify how superchargers work and the specifics in how to choose a supercharger.

All for now

Mercedes-AMG diesels on the way

Now that AMG is no longer focused on chasing big horsepower numbers, efficiency could quickly become the new performance benchmark for the Affalterbach-based tuner. Audi has laid the groundwork for the acceptance of diesel powertrains in performance circles with its stunning V12 TDI Concept and R10 race cars, now Mercedes-Benz tuner AMG is considering adding diesel models to its arsenal.Last year, rumors surfaced claiming AMG may launch a Bluetec diesel SUV but since then nothing really has eventuated on that front. Those rumors came about following comments from AMG exec Volker Mornhinweg, stating “in the near future AMG has the opportunity for both hybrids and diesels."

GETTING REVVED UP: Mark Phelan takes a look inside the new Corvette ...

The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 will produce more than 620 horsepower when it goes on sale in the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 this summer. It is the most powerful production engine in General Motors' history, and should get 28-30 m.p.g. in highway driving.

Supercharger

The sixth-generation supercharger from Eaton Corp. uses a brand-new design that has four lobes to compress air and boost engine output. Previous superchargers had just three lobes that twisted just 60 degrees. The extra lobe and the new blower's 160-degree twist help it to compress air more efficiently, reducing fuel consumption.

Piston

.

Ferrari F430 Convertible Spyder - 656HP

Novitec's twin-supercharger Evoluzione pack for the Ferrari F430 has been on the market since April of last year but until now the German tuner never offered the kit for the equally potent F430 Spider convertible. Featuring the same twin Rotrex superchargers as its hardtop sibling, the Novitec-tuned Spider pumps out an Enzo-rivalling 656hp and leaves the standard model with only 490hp eating its dust.For the extra power, engineers added a pair of twin Rotrex superchargers, which increased the pressure of air being fed to the engine. Finally, the engine's electronic management system was tweaked with a Motronics ECU and a wind-tunnel tested aerodynamic package with a new rear-spoiler was added.