Almost all the cars in the modern age feature an engine, which is either supercharged or turbocharged. For the auto connoisseurs around the world, it is a basic task to differentiate these engine powering techniques. However, to a layman, the differences might seem perplexing as not many people know how to distinguish between the two. With a fundamental approach, these differences can be explained properly to the audiences. While analysing turbocharger vs supercharger, the basic differences are as following:
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The turbo and supercharged technique fall under the category of Forced Induction System. They help in compressing the air flow in the engine; thus making each cylinder of the mill to generate more power with each amount of air intake. In a supercharged engine, there is a belt equipped with the mill that moves constantly to provide power supply. Whereas, in the supercharged engine, the power is delivered via an exhaust stream, which operates through a turbine.
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A supercharger makes use of mechanical energy directly from the mill, whereas, the waste gas energy is utilised in case of a turbocharger. Keeping in mind this difference, the former technique is employed in sports cars as they are made to deliver heavy performance and low mileage. On the other hand, the latter is used in cars, which are manufactured to provide an efficient fuel economy statistic.
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A supercharged car is supposed to be easily controlled while delivering the required power output. Whereas, in a car turbocharger, there is a steep increase in the power output that makes this type of mill to be controlled with difficulty. This increase is noted by an extreme rise in air pressure and temperature when the additional power is delivered by the engine.
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A major difference between the two types is that in a supercharged engine, all the energy is provided by the belt. Therefore, the increase in power of the car is sudden and spontaneous when it is accelerated. On the other hand, the exhaust stream controlling the energy deliverance in a turbocharger takes some time before the extra power punch is finally given by the engine. After pressing the full throttle, the turbocharged car takes some time before accelerating quickly and this is commonly called Turbo Lag.
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The turbocharger features less complexity in its shape and design, and is much easy to be equipped. Whereas, a supercharger needs few modifications before it can be finally incorporated in an automobile.
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A Turbocharged car is generally less costly as compared to the cars featuring a supercharged engine. In the new cars, an intercooler is also installed with these types of chargers that help in maintaining the high temperature of the engine during heavy acceleration.
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The turbochargers are considered more reliable in lightweight and front wheel cars. This is due to the fact that most of these cars are devoid of traction control and in such a case; the turbo lag comes handy when the car is accelerated from standstill. On the other hand, the rear wheel drive car and muscle vehicles are ideal to be packed with a supercharger as all the instant power delivered by the engine is beneficial in a quick launch from dead stop.
