Differences between turbocharger and supercharger: Which is better?

Automotive concepts have become fairly well known, but perhaps it is worth knowing a little more beyond the basics. For example, we know that a turbo increases the performance of an engine, and with it the car gains more power and improves its behaviour. But do we know how this increase in engine performance is achieved? There are two ways to achieve this: the use of a turbocharger and a supercharger.

A naturally aspirated engine works with the air in the environment, at normal atmospheric pressure. In this case, the air is drawn in, enters the engine as it is and helps combustion. In this way, the energy that turns the crankshaft and is transmitted to the wheels is obtained. But with these two systems, the air is compressed before entering the engine, and according to the degree of compression, combustion in the cylinder is improved. The difference between the turbocharger and the supercharger lies in how that compression is achieved.

Turbocharger

In the case of the turbocharger, the compressed air enters the engine thanks to a fan whose blades obtain the energy to spin from the passage of the exhaust gases. These leave the engine and, before passing into the exhaust system, generate the energy needed to operate the turbocharger. The shape of the blades captures the air and compresses it so that it can fulfil its role in the engine.

Supercharger

The supercharger, a literal translation of the English word supercharger, performs the same function but obtains the energy to operate from the rotation of the crankshaft through a belt. This means it is attached to the engine, which may make its performance less efficient than in the previous case.

Which system is better?

It is generally considered that a turbocharger is better than a supercharger. This is because the design of the turbocharger offers better performance, since its installation is cheaper and it operates with greater freedom by not being connected to the engine itself. Its use is not limited to high-power engines; it can also be found in smaller engines. The use of a turbo allows these smaller engines to deliver higher performance without increasing the size of the block.

Electric superchargers and turbochargers

Currently, we can also find electric superchargers and turbochargers. In this case, both mechanisms use an electric motor that turns the blades that draw in the air needed to improve combustion. But, as with the traditional elements, they operate in different ways.

The electric supercharger uses an electric motor powered by a 48-volt system. This eliminates the belt that drives the traditional supercharger. In the case of the electric turbocharger, it also uses an electric motor, but a smaller one. In this case it only operates at low revs. A turbo starts working when the revs increase and enough gases are generated to activate it. In the case of the electronic turbo, that motor makes up for the gases when there are not enough to turn the fan.

This lack of exhaust gases is what causes a delay in enjoying the turbo’s boost when the electric motor is not available. In this way, the lag is avoided, which is the name given to this delay in the turbo coming into action.