| For years I actually thought that a supercharger | | | | Superchargers are mechanically powered by belt, |
| and turbocharger or turbo were the same thing. | | | | gear, shaft or chain connected to the engine's |
| Just different names from different car | | | | crankshaft. Superchargers powered by an |
| manufacturers, right? Actually that's not quite | | | | exhaust gas turbine are turbochargers. The |
| true. | | | | supercharger increases the power output of the |
| A turbocharger is actually a form of supercharger. | | | | engine by providing more oxygen to support |
| It's a gas compressor that is used for forced | | | | combustion. The first supercharged cars were |
| induction on an internet combustion engine (car | | | | introduced in 1921 by Mercedes. Superchargers |
| engines for example). The purpose of a turbo is | | | | are widely used by racing and production cars i.e. |
| to create more power by increasing the density | | | | expensive, high performance cars. |
| of the air entering the engine. The turbocharger | | | | There are three different types of superchargers |
| has the compressor powered by a turbine which | | | | in automotive use: centrifugal turbochargers which |
| is driven by the engine's exhaust. This is different | | | | are driven from exhaust gases, centrifugal |
| from a supercharger which is powered by a | | | | superchargers which are driven by the engine via |
| mechanical drive. | | | | a belt drive and positive displacement pumps. |
| Turbocharging is very common on diesel engines | | | | Positive displacement superchargers, in many |
| because they are suited very well for | | | | applications, are less efficient than turbochargers |
| turbocharging. An engine's specific power and | | | | but for dragsters and vehicles used in tractor |
| power to weight ratio can be dramatically | | | | pulling competitions these superchargers are very |
| improved by turbocharging. Without this, those | | | | common for their engine response and power. |
| stats are poor in non turbocharged diesel engines. | | | | The economy and power of a turbocharged |
| Turbochargers used in gasoline engines of high | | | | engine are better than with superchargers. But |
| performance cars and diesel engines in | | | | the main advantage of a mechanically driven |
| transportation. Small cars really benefit from a | | | | supercharger is a better throttle response and the |
| turbo as there is not much room to fit a large | | | | ability to reach full boost pressure instantaneously. |
| engine. Some car manufacturers have produced | | | | For both superchargers and turbochargers, and |
| turbocharged cars for many years such as Volvo, | | | | important part of the design is to keep the air |
| Saab, Audi, Volkswagen and Subaru. Chrysler and | | | | that enters the engine cool. Air compression raises |
| Buick developed turbocharged engines in the 70's | | | | its temperature so it is common to use an |
| and 80's. | | | | intercooler to reduce the temperature of the air |
| A supercharger is air compressor used for forced | | | | between the pump and engine. |
| induction of an internal combustion engine. | | | | |