Supercharger versus Turbocharger in Vehicle Applications

In actual vehicle applications, supercharging is a superior boost method even though it is not as effective as turbocharging in producing ultimate horsepower at high engine speeds. The supercharger is preferred due to its superior low speed boost response which results in duplication of the power characteristics of a large naturally aspirated engine. Turbocharger lag continues to be a major driveability problem inherent with a turbine system that must be accelerated to high speed before boost can be produced. This problem becomes especially noticeable with the use of a high boost, small displacement engine.

In an effort to evaluate both turbocharging and supercharging in a vehicle application rather than on a dynamometer, the advantages and disadvantages of two supercharged and two matching turbocharged vehicles are summarized, along with a discussion of the performance characteristics of both boost devices.