turbo vs. supercharger gas mileage

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mooktank

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Oct 27, 2004

#1

• Oct 27, 2004

• #1

is there a difference between the gas mileage of a centrifugal supercharger vs. turbocharger? Im talking same boost and close to same horsepower. Which is better for a daily driver? I was wondering this because i dont want to be wasting gas cruising around. Thanks.

 

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criticman

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Oct 27, 2004

#2

• Oct 27, 2004

• #2

This is just based on theory, but I think actual tests would agree...

Since a turbo-charger is propelled by the already present exhaust gases and the supercharger is propelled by the engine thru the use of a belt, the turbocharger will be "more efficient" and SHOULD result in better gas mileage than the supercharger.

Now as far as "same boost, same HP"...If you had the same boost on a turbo, you SHOULD see a good bit higher HP than the supercharger. Superchargers benefit from not having the "lag" that you may experience with a turbo since they are driven by the engine and produce power from the get go. A turbo "spools up" and generally will end up producing greater power in the long run, especially if you are talking about having the same boost.

Anyway, just my two cents and theory.

 

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mooktank

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#3

• Oct 27, 2004

• #3

I was also thinking that on a turbo you are in boost a lot quicker than a supercharger so you would use more gas. I dunno tho. Ive heard guys on turbomustangs.com getting like 19mpg with a single turbo.

 

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Sicarius428

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Jan 6, 2004

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Oct 27, 2004

#4

• Oct 27, 2004

• #4

Turbo charger should get better gas milage. The average is that for every 100 HP a supercharger makes it takes 30 HP. For a turbo, every 100 HP it only takes 5. It takes less power to make power and you can run your turbo at a couple PSI less to get the same HP as a supercharger.
Kevin

 

RydeOn

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Oct 27, 2004

#5

• Oct 27, 2004

• #5

From my experience: Both will increase highway mileage. Both will decrease city driving mileage if you drive it like its meant to be driven. However the blower will still have crappy city mileage if you drive it nice but the turbo will have stock like gas mileage if you drive it nice around town.

 

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mooktank

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Oct 28, 2004

#6

• Oct 28, 2004

• #6

cool thanks guys

 

Michael Yount

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Apr 10, 2002

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Oct 28, 2004

#7

• Oct 28, 2004

• #7

I think that the turbo has the potential to be more efficient at similar boost levels and both with intercooling. However -the devil is in the details. It's all about tune and turbo selection. A well sorted/tuned/selected supercharged combo will get better mileage than a poorly matched/tuned turbo; and vice versa.

And there's not nearly as much tuninng experience out there for turbos. I also believe that a properly selected/tuned positive displacement blower has the potential to match the turbo in terms of fuel efficiency.

 

mustang20010

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Oct 28, 2004

#8

• Oct 28, 2004

• #8

First of all you should buy what you want and what's best for your application, and what you're going to use it for. In my personal opinion, I decided against a turbo (single or TT) in favor of a Novi2000 for a few main reasons. 1. I don't care what anyone says, turbos just make more heat! 2. Packaging. Goodness, especially with TTs it can be quite a mess and can make it hard to access the engine if you need to work on it. 3. $$$ Sure you can do a turbo setup for less, and I understand that most turbo kits nowadays do include almost if not absolutely everything you'll need, but one way or another (at least in my own research for my particular application) a turbo setup is likely to cost more.

The great thing about my Novi2000 (as with any centrif. s/c) is that if I'm going on a long trip, or just want to save some gas - all you gotta do is take the blower belt off. I will note that I do also have the tuning capability of the AFM PMS but that gives you the best of both worlds. 15psi of boost when you want it, or near stock driveabilty when you don't.

Turbos and s/cs are both great, just depends on what you want. There's plenty of info out there for you to research and make a good informed decision before you buy.

Good luck!

 

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mooktank

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Oct 28, 2004

#9

• Oct 28, 2004

• #9

im talking daily driver though. If you really wanted you could just open up the wastegate and run no boost at all.

 

Michael Yount

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Oct 28, 2004

#10

• Oct 28, 2004

• #10

Like I said - a lot of is in the tune; both boost makers have the potential to make the engine more efficient with it's use of fuel if you keep your foot out of it.

 

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mooktank

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Oct 28, 2004

#11

• Oct 28, 2004

• #11

now would you recommed a dyno tune by a pro or to get something like a tweecer and tune it myself?

 

Michael Yount

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Oct 28, 2004

#12

• Oct 28, 2004

• #12

If I were gonna seriously try to set up a boosted arrangement to have really good drivability/fuel efficiency, I'd get a twEECer so I could keep playing with it. It's gonna be a lot of trial and error cause the conditions you'll be playing most with are the most variable - light/part throttle, light/part load. You can make changes, drive it for a couple of days, or tanks, and continue to fine-tune.

 

Michael Yount

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Apr 10, 2002

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Oct 28, 2004

#13

• Oct 28, 2004

• #13

If you go twEECer get the data-logging feature so you can store data while driving to review later and see what it's doing.

 

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mooktank

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#14

• Oct 28, 2004

• #14

once again your guidance is much appreciated master yount

 

RydeOn

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Oct 28, 2004

#15

• Oct 28, 2004

• #15

Why the heck would you take the blower belt off the car on a long trip?? The blower gives better gas mileage on the highway. And also, if that blower isnt turning think of all those passageways and weird restrictions the motor has to suck through. The car would be inefficient and youd probably lose mileage, and power.