Turbocharger VS Supercharger

 

The general term "supercharger" refers to an air compressor that boosts the pressure or density of air entering an engine to provide additional oxygen for fuel combustion. All of the original superchargers were powered by the crankshaft, usually by a gear, belt, or chain. Simply put, a turbocharger is a supercharger that is propelled by a turbine in the exhaust stream instead. The first of these, known as turbo superchargers, were used on radial aircraft engines to increase their power in the thinner air found at higher altitudes. They were invented in 1915. First, turbocharger and then turbo were used to abbreviate that moniker.

Which is the best Turbocharger or the Supercharger?

Each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, and can be utilized to increase power, fuel efficiency, or both. Turbochargers use "free" energy that would otherwise be wasted in the exhaust. While spinning the turbine raises exhaust back pressure, putting some strain on the engine, the net loss is generally less than the direct mechanical load given by driving a supercharger (the biggest blowers powering a top-fuel dragster consume 900 crankshaft horsepower in an engine rated at 7,500 total horsepower).Superchargers, on the other hand, can deliver boost nearly quickly, whereas turbochargers often have a response lag as the exhaust pressure necessary to spin the turbine develops.Obviously, a top-fuel dragster trying to run the quarter in four seconds can't afford to waste time waiting for exhaust pressure to build, so they all use superchargers, whereas vehicles tasked with improving a company's corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) can't afford to waste precious horsepower on blowers, so they mostly use turbo. However, as mild hybridization and 48-volt electrical systems become more common, superchargers powered by freely recuperated electricity conserved during deceleration and braking will become more common.This technology is used by Mercedes-new Benz's M256 six-cylinder engine, which is currently available in cars such as the CLS 450 and GLE 450, as well as the similarly sized and designed range-topping engine in the new Land Rover Defender.