Turbo vs. Blower?????
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
Turbo vs. Blower?????
Curious to know which configuration is the best way to go for a non-track set up. Is a turbo harder on the motor than a blower or is it the other way around? I'm aware that a blower's psi can be changed with pully diameter too. I'm looking to keep reliability, if I even do it at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 27,596
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From: YOU SEE ... I'M NOT CRAZY ...I'M JUST AHEAD OF THE CURVE
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Both systems can be set up safely to get gobs of power without grenading the engine.
Which one then depends on a large variety of personal variables:
what are your driving reqts (from roll, from dig, low end or high end rev, etc)
what are you looking for in the future or options of expandability
what are your thoughts on "bling" or look
pocketbook $$$$
If you run around the FI section all these are addressed in some form or another.
Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses ... depends on what you want
Which one then depends on a large variety of personal variables:
what are your driving reqts (from roll, from dig, low end or high end rev, etc)
what are you looking for in the future or options of expandability
what are your thoughts on "bling" or look
pocketbook $$$$
If you run around the FI section all these are addressed in some form or another.
Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses ... depends on what you want
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
From: Allentown PA
It depends on what else you plan on doing to your motor. Stock internals=low boost. Turbos generally can make more boost but these cars cannot handle much boost anyway. In my opinion, if you don't plan on beefing up the internals, get neither, it is a waste of power. With stock internals, you are looking at abour 7 pounds max, beef it up and pick up another 200 HP.
Also, superchargers rob you of HP to make HP since they are run by a belt. Turbos give you free HP since they run off of exhaust pressure.
Also, superchargers rob you of HP to make HP since they are run by a belt. Turbos give you free HP since they run off of exhaust pressure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland Area IL
It depends on what else you plan on doing to your motor. Stock internals=low boost. Turbos generally can make more boost but these cars cannot handle much boost anyway. In my opinion, if you don't plan on beefing up the internals, get neither, it is a waste of power. With stock internals, you are looking at abour 7 pounds max, beef it up and pick up another 200 HP.
Also, superchargers rob you of HP to make HP since they are run by a belt. Turbos give you free HP since they run off of exhaust pressure.
Also, superchargers rob you of HP to make HP since they are run by a belt. Turbos give you free HP since they run off of exhaust pressure.
No such thing as free power...
Mike
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
Curious to know which configuration is the best way to go for a non-track set up. Is a turbo harder on the motor than a blower or is it the other way around? I'm aware that a blower's psi can be changed with pully diameter too. I'm looking to keep reliability, if I even do it at all.
At the levels (5-8psi) of boost, TTor SC will both be very reliable on a stock internals motor. TTis more $$$, less bling. You can make close to 500/550 rw going through stock exhaust/cats which is a great "non track" set up. Do you require emissions certification in LaLA land? May be a factor.
ABOVE ALL: CHOOSE A TUNER WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT HE's DOING!! Search Grasshopper!
Regards,
George
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,463
Likes: 2
From: Santa Barbara, CA
From a pure reliability standpoint I'd have to say the supercharger. That mountain of torque from a turbo setup that comes on when the boost kicks in is harder on stock components. Also the supercharger creates less heat (better adiabatic efficiency). There can be belt problems with the supercharger however. Superchargers are instant on and easier to drive since the power is linear.
Turbos add more complexity and are usually more maintenance. Those hot turbos have been known to melt parts. Turbos are still more efficient per lb of boost though. Turbos are slightly better on gas mileage too. Turbos are quiet which is so nice. My supercharger is quiet once it's warm. You'll be able to 'feel' the power of a tt a little better since they give you more torque. Also the ability to use a boost controller is so cool. You can even dial it in so much that you get different levels of boost in each gear.
If you're going with a built motor I'd say the turbos unless road racing or hammering on it all the time. If staying stockish 525rwhp, there really isn't enough upside to justify the almost double cost.
I would do as much research as possible before you decide though because there isn't one right answer for everyone. For me I wanted an intercooler setup that wouldn't block all flow to the AC and Radiator. Plus I wanted it as quiet as possible for a supercharger. Something I could use at the road course and if I got pulled over in Cali it wouldn't be an issue. Ended up with the A&A Vortech SQ. I also found out that Vortech will turn my SQ S-trim into a T-trim for 1k if I decide to go bigger eventually.
Just remember the more power you make NA the less boost you have to run. It might be a good idea to see what shops are close to you and what they recommend.
If money was no object I guess I'd go built 454 lsx with the HP Turbo 76mm+ setup. Good luck with 1500hp, 120mph roll ons are fun.
Turbos add more complexity and are usually more maintenance. Those hot turbos have been known to melt parts. Turbos are still more efficient per lb of boost though. Turbos are slightly better on gas mileage too. Turbos are quiet which is so nice. My supercharger is quiet once it's warm. You'll be able to 'feel' the power of a tt a little better since they give you more torque. Also the ability to use a boost controller is so cool. You can even dial it in so much that you get different levels of boost in each gear.
If you're going with a built motor I'd say the turbos unless road racing or hammering on it all the time. If staying stockish 525rwhp, there really isn't enough upside to justify the almost double cost.
I would do as much research as possible before you decide though because there isn't one right answer for everyone. For me I wanted an intercooler setup that wouldn't block all flow to the AC and Radiator. Plus I wanted it as quiet as possible for a supercharger. Something I could use at the road course and if I got pulled over in Cali it wouldn't be an issue. Ended up with the A&A Vortech SQ. I also found out that Vortech will turn my SQ S-trim into a T-trim for 1k if I decide to go bigger eventually.
Just remember the more power you make NA the less boost you have to run. It might be a good idea to see what shops are close to you and what they recommend.
If money was no object I guess I'd go built 454 lsx with the HP Turbo 76mm+ setup. Good luck with 1500hp, 120mph roll ons are fun.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Seminole Florida
From a pure reliability standpoint I'd have to say the supercharger. That mountain of torque from a turbo setup that comes on when the boost kicks in is harder on stock components. Also the supercharger creates less heat (better adiabatic efficiency). There can be belt problems with the supercharger however. Superchargers are instant on and easier to drive since the power is linear.
Turbos add more complexity and are usually more maintenance. Those hot turbos have been known to melt parts. Turbos are still more efficient per lb of boost though. Turbos are slightly better on gas mileage too. Turbos are quiet which is so nice. My supercharger is quiet once it's warm. You'll be able to 'feel' the power of a tt a little better since they give you more torque. Also the ability to use a boost controller is so cool. You can even dial it in so much that you get different levels of boost in each gear.
If you're going with a built motor I'd say the turbos unless road racing or hammering on it all the time. If staying stockish 525rwhp, there really isn't enough upside to justify the almost double cost.
I would do as much research as possible before you decide though because there isn't one right answer for everyone. For me I wanted an intercooler setup that wouldn't block all flow to the AC and Radiator. Plus I wanted it as quiet as possible for a supercharger. Something I could use at the road course and if I got pulled over in Cali it wouldn't be an issue. Ended up with the A&A Vortech SQ. I also found out that Vortech will turn my SQ S-trim into a T-trim for 1k if I decide to go bigger eventually.
Just remember the more power you make NA the less boost you have to run. It might be a good idea to see what shops are close to you and what they recommend.
If money was no object I guess I'd go built 454 lsx with the HP Turbo 76mm+ setup. Good luck with 1500hp, 120mph roll ons are fun.
Turbos add more complexity and are usually more maintenance. Those hot turbos have been known to melt parts. Turbos are still more efficient per lb of boost though. Turbos are slightly better on gas mileage too. Turbos are quiet which is so nice. My supercharger is quiet once it's warm. You'll be able to 'feel' the power of a tt a little better since they give you more torque. Also the ability to use a boost controller is so cool. You can even dial it in so much that you get different levels of boost in each gear.
If you're going with a built motor I'd say the turbos unless road racing or hammering on it all the time. If staying stockish 525rwhp, there really isn't enough upside to justify the almost double cost.
I would do as much research as possible before you decide though because there isn't one right answer for everyone. For me I wanted an intercooler setup that wouldn't block all flow to the AC and Radiator. Plus I wanted it as quiet as possible for a supercharger. Something I could use at the road course and if I got pulled over in Cali it wouldn't be an issue. Ended up with the A&A Vortech SQ. I also found out that Vortech will turn my SQ S-trim into a T-trim for 1k if I decide to go bigger eventually.
Just remember the more power you make NA the less boost you have to run. It might be a good idea to see what shops are close to you and what they recommend.
If money was no object I guess I'd go built 454 lsx with the HP Turbo 76mm+ setup. Good luck with 1500hp, 120mph roll ons are fun.
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
I've used every power adder out there. I turbo'ed my old Honda Civic, put an Eaton (roots type) blower on my old Acura Integra, used a wet nitrous kit in my old C5, ripped the nitrous out in favor of an A&A Procharger kit, and my current C6 has a cam, intake, headers. I guess all I haven't tried is a rear mounted turbo.
Granted they were on different vehicles but I liked the turbo the best, closely followed by the centrifugal supercharger. Now on the 'vette a turbo kit is much more invasive to install than a supercharger IMO. On the vette (as opposed to a SC) a turbo kit will always be more expensive and more complex but have the potential for more power and has a bigger cool factor.
There is really no right or wrong answer here. I would disagree that one power adder is harder on the motor than another. If you are looking for lower maintenance and reliability I would vote for the ATI kit. Unlike the old C5 ATI kit I have not heard a single complaint about it.
Granted they were on different vehicles but I liked the turbo the best, closely followed by the centrifugal supercharger. Now on the 'vette a turbo kit is much more invasive to install than a supercharger IMO. On the vette (as opposed to a SC) a turbo kit will always be more expensive and more complex but have the potential for more power and has a bigger cool factor.
There is really no right or wrong answer here. I would disagree that one power adder is harder on the motor than another. If you are looking for lower maintenance and reliability I would vote for the ATI kit. Unlike the old C5 ATI kit I have not heard a single complaint about it.