Turbocharger or mechanical supercharger?

Many motorists are often asked about this, which solution will end up being the best — a turbine or a compressor? This question may arise when choosing a new car, and when buying a used car. Fans of tuning are no less often faced with the task of such a choice.

We also recommend reading the article on fuel system tuning. In this article you will learn about the structure of the system, choosing injectors and fuel pump for boosted engines.

It is worth noting at the beginning, that both devices simultaneously have a number of certain advantages, and shortcomings. All this clearly affects the final choice. The differences between these systems are not only in appearance, form, weight, method of mounting on the engine and dimensions, but also in the main principles of work. It is not always unambiguous to simply identify all the main criteria when choosing a device. Let's look at this in more detail.

Mechanical supercharger and turbocharger

The turbine is rotary engine, the feature of which is its constant and continuous work. Early attempts to create a turbine were made at the dawn of human development, but high-quality implementation became possible only in 19 century. The era of mechanical engineering allowed to create the first turbines, which were steam. The turbine converts the kinetic energy of steam, gases or water in useful mechanical work. Turbines are used in many devices, and have become an integral part of various modes of transport. This applies to both land vehicles, and ships along with aircraft.

If we talk about the compressor, then constructively the device can have various modifications and is successfully applied in many industries. Its main task is the compression and supply of gas under pressure.

Further development of technology has led to a kind of symbiosis of turbine and compressor. The development of the turbocharger has significantly increased the efficiency and power of the engines.

As you know, you can get the maximum power of the engine without increasing its volume by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. It remains only to supply more fuel and the power of the power unit will increase significantly. As shown by data from various sources, on average, the compressor provides an increase in power to 50% and provides approx 30% torque gain.

Now mechanical and turbochargers are installed separately and even together to increase the engine power of cars and trucks. They are placed on gasoline and diesel units. These solutions are the best and most economical option for the "horse" allowance in that case, if you want to qualitatively increase the power of the internal combustion engine without increasing the volume of the cylinders.

It can successfully and separately cope with this task as a completely mechanical, and a turbocharger. But which of these solutions is better? Let's compare a mechanical compressor and a turbocharger.

VS turbine compressor

The difference between a turbine and a compressor is clearly demonstrated in those differences, which are in a number of devices of this type.

• The main advantages of the compressor deservedly include uninterrupted and uniform combustion of the working mixture. This qualitatively affects the correct operation of the engine and eliminates a number of faults, which could potentially occur during operation of such a motor.
• The main advantage of the turbine is that, that it has no engine drive and is powered by exhaust energy. This does not cause power loss. The compressor takes energy from the engine, subtracting at the same time to 30% its power. It is worth adding justice, that this loss is most evident in the mode of maximum loads on the engine.
• The process of installing a turbine on an engine is extremely complex and time consuming. No less difficult is the configuration of the turbocharger, which requires significant financial costs, installation of numerous additional equipment and a large amount of time. Another nuance is that, that before installing the turbocharger the engine itself, and in some cases the transmission needs to be substantially and thoroughly improved, prepare for such greatly increased loads. If we talk about a mechanical compressor, then the engine and gearbox are also finalized, but this is not always done, and the refinement itself may be superficial.
• It is much easier to install the compressor in the hood space and then to adjust it qualitatively, and it is even easier to make the further correct selection of parameters necessary for normal work of the engine of fuel and air working mix. Installation of the compressor is facilitated also by that, that there are ready-made kits to solve this problem.
• If the turbine in the car needs to be adjusted only by means of the qualified expert or independently to possess special knowledge, then the compressor does not require special equipment, knowledge and skills. Such features further simplify the process of installing mechanical supercharging.
• Car turbocharger is excessively demanding on oil and fuel quality. It is necessary to implement the supply of oil under pressure, change the specified oil much more often, arrange draining of oil into the pan. All this increases the cost of further maintenance of the car and the work of installing a turbocharger. Service intervals for oil change are significantly reduced. If you do not service the turbo engine with enviable regularity, then the machine will respond relatively quickly to faults and additional problems. The compressor in this regard is much less demanding on the quality of fuel and fuel.
• The turbine needs special care. The solution provides a list of periodic maintenance procedures. The main thing about a mechanical compressor is to ensure only clean air, incoming, and even then in relation to cam and screw solutions.
• The turbine shows a negative effect at low speeds, which is called "turbo pit". With low turbine speeds, you shouldn't expect miracles at all. Only average and maximum revolutions allow to achieve full return from the power plant. In the mode of daily operation in the city it is not always convenient.

The car owner may well buy a new generation of turbines, which are largely devoid of such a disadvantage and are not so dependent on the speed of the internal combustion engine, but the amount of final costs after purchase and refinement will be significant. The compressor on the productivity does not depend on turns of the car and leaves on supercharging at low turns, while providing the predicted power at any speed.

• The compressor is a separate and independent device in the design of the entire internal combustion engine, which simplifies the process of dismantling, maintenance and repair work. The compressor is relatively easy to maintain, so it is much more affordable to get quality, less expensive and qualified repair of the element if necessary.
• The advantages of the turbine can rightly be attributed to higher speeds compared to the compressor. But the level of heating of the turbocharger is much higher, and the turbine overheats noticeably faster. This negatively affects the entire operation and condition of the engine. Motor wear at elevated temperatures increases, and the requirements for the ICE cooling system are significantly increasing.
• The compressor reaches the effective value almost immediately after starting the engine. This is its undoubted advantage. The turbine will not work at low speeds. At the same time do not forget about it, that the compressor takes away power from the engine, but the turbine does not remove from the engine part of the power from the additional load.
• The disadvantages of the compressor is clearly increased fuel consumption compared to turbines. The efficiency of the compressor is also significantly lower. In terms of fuel economy, a turbine in a car is the best option.
• From the engine the compressor is driven by a drive belt or a chain, which requires periodic maintenance of the element. If we talk about turbines, then the cost of its maintenance compared to the care of the compressor is still much higher.
• It is definitely easier and easier to choose a compressor or a ready-made installation kit for free sale. In the modern market the wide choice of compressors of various type is presented. The choice of turbines is very limited compared to a similar choice of compressors.
• High-quality modern turbine in some cases is more expensive than a mechanical compressor. Despite this, most cars are equipped with turbocharging, as the turbine much more qualitatively increases productivity of the internal combustion engine.

The result

1. The compressor provides more correct and stable operation of the engine in all operating modes, engine life continues;
2. The turbine does not take a percentage of the total power of the internal combustion engine;
3. The compressor is easier to install and configure;
4. The turbine requires the organization of oil supply and drainage;
5. The compressor has a constant return, and the turbine depends on the speed of the internal combustion engine;
6. The turbine needs regular diagnostics and maintenance, the compressor is easier to maintain;
7. The compressor consumes more fuel and has a lower efficiency compared to the turbine;
8. The turbine is installed engine with modifications, the compressor is presented completely by the separate device and provides simplicity at installation;
9. The turbine provides the best performance at high and maximum speeds and peak speeds; The compressor is distinguished by pickup at the very "bottom";
10. The compressor can be freely selected and purchased, and you can do it for almost any car model, but the choice of turbines is markedly limited;
11. The cost of the compressor and its installation is more affordable compared to the turbine;

As you have already understood from all the above, installing any type of compressor is not the easiest task. Prior to installation, carefully weigh the pros and cons of each of the available boost solutions., as well as calculate the required final power indicators in accordance with the task.

Today, the optimal system can be considered a double boost, when a mechanical compressor and a turbocharger are used on the same motor. The devices operate at different speeds, providing maximum elasticity and comfort in a wide range of engine speeds.