Blown Or Boosted
...(blowers), the results are close. Based on the individuals' driving style and needs, he or she may want consider the benefits and the potential drawbacks of these two systems to decide which best suites each driver's needs.
When looking comparing Turbochargers and Superchargers there are several factors to keep in mind: power curves, efficiency, reliability, upgradeability, and value. The car enthusiast can be very particular about their own personal car and the way it performs. Both units exceed standard engines. They differ in the means by which they achieve those results. The units increase the pressure that goes into the engine. Normal or standard atmospheric pressure is about 15 pounds per square inch (psi) (Atmospheric Pressure). The job of the compressor common to both turbochargers and superchargers is to increase air pressure so that more air is forced into the cylinders. This is what car enthusiasts and racers call having a "blown" or "boosted" car. This increased air volume, or boost, is mixed with a proportionately increased fuel volume which, when burned in the combustion cycle, results in increased horsepower and torque production. However, this is where the similarities between the two types of systems end.
There are many differences between Turbos and Blowers. The first is the power curve. Superchargers build boost as rpm increases in a linear fashion, because they are belt driven from the engine crankshaft. This means that the supercharger is always on and achieves its maximum potential at higher rpm's. The faster the engine is going, the faster the supercharger is turning. Turbochargers, on the other hand, are exhaust driven, and come up to speed very quickly. There are no belts or gears needed to activate the turbocharger. A long time racer and enthusiast Nick Ciccotello has a great understanding of cars, especially fast ones, and...
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