I have read tons of different threads on this topic, but I still can't find the exact answer I'm looking for. I always assumed that a turbo would be more efficient than a supercharger because the sc uses a certain amount of hp to run itself. However I was told that at low boost (under 10 psi) a sc delivers the power quicker, and therefore the total area under the curve on a dyno graph would be greater for a sc than a turbo.

I know that everyone's set up is a little different. Even dynos vary from one to another, but someone out there must have some data on this. I've read a lot of opinions and seen a lot of comparing apples to oranges, but does anyone have a definitive answer?

Please no comments about cost, reliability, tuning, adjustibility, adding nitrous, or boosting over 10 psi. These are all important issues to consider, but right now I just want to answer the power question.

 

I have an ls w/ a drag kit i ran a gsr w/ a jrsc set at 7psi i was also at 7psi we were dead even until about 100mph then i started pulling away.


P.s. old set up.

 

I would say it depends on the size of the turbo. If the turbo is properly sized it will spool quick and hold boost all the way to redline. This will give you a wide band of peak power early on. Plus it doesn't use a belt that robs HP!

Besides a turbo can run full boost at low rpms where it takes a Vortech SC to redline to hit full boost.


[Modified by turbohonda, 2:08 PM 1/7/2003]

 

As some of the users here can probably vouch for, a small turbo can spool as low as 2000 to 3000 rpm. And if you're keeping the psi in single digits anyways, you don't really need to worry about the smallness causing the turbo to die out up top.