Turbocharged vs Supercharged vs Nitro, what's your choice?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:00:29 -0500

I've always loved fast cars, in any shape or form. From where I come from, we try to make everything go faster, it wouldn't surprise me to see a 1996 Hyundai Accent with a Turbo in it, actually I've seen them. But there are always underground wars, like turbos vs nitrous, naturally aspirated vs turbos, etc.

Usually superchargers are used in bigger engines cars, i.e. Challengers, Mustangs, Camaros, etc. but I saw a Corvette with a Turbo. Turbos are used in smaller engines cars, Civics, 350/370Z, Genesis, etc. but I saw a 2000 Maxima with a Supercharger. Nitrous systems, at least the ones I've seen on the street, are used by people that doesn't have enough money to invest in a full Turbo Kit or a Supercharger but still want to have some fun (and they don't know how fast their engines can brake but that's another story). Some just want to know how fast their cars can get without any big investment and they keep them naturally aspirated, I've seen a lot of crazy mods in cheap cars.

I've heard that a NOS kit is where the mechanics ends because is a cheat and any car with Nitro can be fast. People talking about "Turbo Lags", the whining of a Supercharger, the cheating of the NOS, but at the end we're all the same, we just want to go faster.

So, Turbo, Supercharged, naturally aspirated or nitrous, what's your choice?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2015 4:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:02:04 -0500

Has a full fuel tank and can get me from point A to B and back..........does that count?

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Nov 20 at 2015 4:20 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:20:40 -0500

Turbos are cool, but there is a little bit to much lag. I have heard of people using turbos to run turbos to help reduce/eliminate the lag issue but then things become extremely complicated in a hurry. I hate nitrous, if you want a car that runs in one class and at the push of a button it runs in a different class then build the car to run in the higher class....it's for cheaters. I like the whine of a blower and there is no denying the performance increase.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 20 at 2015 4:45 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 16:45:37 -0500

Not trying to be picky but there is a hell of a difference between nitrous and nitro. As to the four choices that you offer I have used them all and it just depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you want to go fast and keep it cheap nitrous is the way to go. We installed a bunch of nitrous systems but the only thing of our own that we used one on was a jet boat. For all of the rest there is an old saying "speed costs, how fast can you afford to go"? Glad to see someone else that likes fast cars.

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Nov 21 at 2015 12:22 AM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 00:22:18 -0500

How about an electric car like a Tesla S or Mercedes Benz ANG ecell? Though sticking strictly to a modified rig, taking a cue from the McLaren P1 may work. V8 boosted by an electric motor. Some weight penalty but no turbo lag or cheating. Used as a booster, a small but fast discharging battery is sufficient.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 8:18 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 08:18:40 -0500

both?? .... lol

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 3:25 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 15:25:08 -0500

I think it really depends on what you want to do. Nitrous can initially be the cheaper route, but can be a really expensive boom if it isn't tuned just right. Turbochargers may have low end lag, but in a drag race you never spend time in the lower 55-60% of the powerband, therefore always being where the turbo wants to be. Superchargers are a funny thing. A top mount like a whipple/Kenne Bell/Magnuson type blower will make monster torque right off the hit, but can run out of steam on the top end, as well as be subject to heat soak on some vehicles, such as the corvette. A centrifugal will work similar to a turbo making a flat as hell torque curve all the way through the power-band. The issue with the last two as well is heat. N/A can be good if you are some who likes to track a car for things like HPDE, Autocross, ORR, and the likes. I am glad I stay N/A on my 03 Z06 as I plan on tracking it when I get back to the mainland next spring an summer. Last dyno on my car was 475whp/416wtq.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 8:33 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 20:33:58 -0500

Super. Belt driven. Instant and constant power. Requires a bit more internal customization but worth it for that whine!!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2015 9:13 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 09:13:08 -0500

I can't see who voted for what but I can guess that MSgt Jack DeYoung went for Supercharger, LTC Private RallyPoint Member went for Turbo and SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" got N/A. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 1:45 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 13:45:30 -0500

Specifically a centrifugal supercharger. Forever better than any other power-adder. Self-contained which reduces heat-soak from exhaust like in turbos, and from sitting on top of the engine like a head-mounted S/C. Uses an intercooler like what turbos use, and more efficient than all other power-adders in my opinion.