Supercharger or Single Turbo:
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Launching!
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From: Houston
Supercharger or Single Turbo: I am strongly considering adding one of these to my car. I know Stage II Heads/Cam will do me better in terms of reliability and component break downs... Out of the above 2 choices, which will better suit me?
-99' Trans Am
-A4
-40,000 Miles
-Daily Driver
-Weekdays are Traffic/City Driving (300miles a week)
-Weekends are highway travel (250 miles)
-Will be putting about 25K miles a year on it for the next year or so
TIA,
Jason Scott
-99' Trans Am
-A4
-40,000 Miles
-Daily Driver
-Weekdays are Traffic/City Driving (300miles a week)
-Weekends are highway travel (250 miles)
-Will be putting about 25K miles a year on it for the next year or so
TIA,
Jason Scott
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: You could do both, but it sounds like you want to do one or the other.. Horsepower wise the Single Turbo would be a better choice.. Plus with your A4 you should have no problems getting the times you want if you have the right traction.
TECH Resident
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From: san diego ca
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: Any chance of a single turbo kit being CARB approved? You have to maintain the same number of catalytic converters as stock, neither more nor less... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" />
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Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by VINCE:
<strong>You could do both, but it sounds like you want to do one or the other.. Horsepower wise the Single Turbo would be a better choice.. Plus with your A4 you should have no problems getting the times you want if you have the right traction.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree. The prodigious torque will allow stock gearing, and the turbo is only a menace when spooled, all good for gas mileage. Reliability is great when your only wringing out the engine to 6000RPM (or less) max. It's all good for mileage.
I mildly take issue with a heads/cam combo being more reliable. Higher lift cams, double springs, and principal power/torque only available in the 5500-6500RPM range isn't going to enhance reliability any.
Just a thought.
-SC
<small>[ May 02, 2002, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: SS00Blue ]</small>
<strong>You could do both, but it sounds like you want to do one or the other.. Horsepower wise the Single Turbo would be a better choice.. Plus with your A4 you should have no problems getting the times you want if you have the right traction.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree. The prodigious torque will allow stock gearing, and the turbo is only a menace when spooled, all good for gas mileage. Reliability is great when your only wringing out the engine to 6000RPM (or less) max. It's all good for mileage.
I mildly take issue with a heads/cam combo being more reliable. Higher lift cams, double springs, and principal power/torque only available in the 5500-6500RPM range isn't going to enhance reliability any.
Just a thought.
-SC
<small>[ May 02, 2002, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: SS00Blue ]</small>
Launching!
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From: Wallingford, CT
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dave:
<strong>Any chance of a single turbo kit being CARB approved? You have to maintain the same number of catalytic converters as stock, neither more nor less... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not a chance.
I may be wrong, but I was told that even if you split the exhaust into two after the turbo, and put the stock cats in the stock locations (which is almost impossible), there would be an issue with the mixing of the exhaust streams. Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams. Each oxygen sensor provides feedback to its own side. If the streams were mixed, this would be different, and therefore not allowed.
<strong>Any chance of a single turbo kit being CARB approved? You have to maintain the same number of catalytic converters as stock, neither more nor less... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not a chance.
I may be wrong, but I was told that even if you split the exhaust into two after the turbo, and put the stock cats in the stock locations (which is almost impossible), there would be an issue with the mixing of the exhaust streams. Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams. Each oxygen sensor provides feedback to its own side. If the streams were mixed, this would be different, and therefore not allowed.
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Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Mark C:
QUOTE] Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams.[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haha I just watched that about a week ago.
QUOTE] Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams.[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haha I just watched that about a week ago.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Fanatic
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Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Mark C:
<strong>I may be wrong, but I was told that even if you split the exhaust into two after the turbo, and put the stock cats in the stock locations (which is almost impossible), there would be an issue with the mixing of the exhaust streams. Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams. Each oxygen sensor provides feedback to its own side. If the streams were mixed, this would be different, and therefore not allowed.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, you're not wrong. To keep the costs down, there's been some elimination of AIR, EGR, O2 "S2". Rob says it was never design for emissions compliance. I imagine the Turbo Tech kit is the same way.
SC
<strong>I may be wrong, but I was told that even if you split the exhaust into two after the turbo, and put the stock cats in the stock locations (which is almost impossible), there would be an issue with the mixing of the exhaust streams. Remember Ghostbusters? Don't mix the streams. Each oxygen sensor provides feedback to its own side. If the streams were mixed, this would be different, and therefore not allowed.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, you're not wrong. To keep the costs down, there's been some elimination of AIR, EGR, O2 "S2". Rob says it was never design for emissions compliance. I imagine the Turbo Tech kit is the same way.
SC
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Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: I would do Robs single kit. It seems to be the best thought out so far and maintains stock cooling. I would also keep the boost around 5-6# for reliability. You will have a nice fast setup with that config. Runs about 6K I think. Be sure to run a good 3 inch catback with great muffler (Dynomax Ultraflo)
Cheers,
Chris
Cheers,
Chris
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: Hey finally i get to say...I DISAGREE <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> As a daily driver, a turbo car drives exactly like stock...great mileage and quiet. I think most of the people who bought turbo/sc kits were looking at driveability first and track performance second. If you wanted great track performance AND reliability, get some forged lower compression pistons and a turbo. Then you have the best of both worlds. Of course, easiest thing to do.....keep it stock and SPRAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: I think either is fine. Single turbo kits are not gonna pass Ca smog. I got the turbo cause it was a good price used and I wanted to be kinda stealthy. Also, a SC does put wear on the fron main bearing and COULD damage the crank snout if it the pulley started spinning. You also have the option of increasing power with just the twist of a **** on a turbo setup. That being said, you better be committed to getting it properly tuned or you will be down like I am with a cracked ringland. Robs kit will come with tuning and seems to have improved upon the turbotech kit. The turbotech kit still makes good power and can be found pretty reasonable in the classifieds.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 111
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From: Owensboro,KY
Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: Honstly, I would spend the extra $$$ and go with more power N/A. Dollar for Dollar you wont get as much power as Forced Induction. But I honestly I think for your daily driver N/A would be the way to go. Forced Induction (especially stock) dont last as long, a well known fact.
Where as a 4340 Crank,rods, Pistons and a hotter cam and heads. Then start to upgrade your exhaust,intake,ignition,M.A.S.,etc. I think you will be happier then a turbo. You may not run 11 sec. But I think it will be a more reliable daily driver.
I would also choose a cam that has the right torque range for you stop and go driving, but also doesnt kill your gas on those weekend high way drives.
My opinion anyways. I leave the supercharger/turbo for mostly drag cars.
Many companies have N/A packages that can give you a nice power boost.
Where as a 4340 Crank,rods, Pistons and a hotter cam and heads. Then start to upgrade your exhaust,intake,ignition,M.A.S.,etc. I think you will be happier then a turbo. You may not run 11 sec. But I think it will be a more reliable daily driver.
I would also choose a cam that has the right torque range for you stop and go driving, but also doesnt kill your gas on those weekend high way drives.
My opinion anyways. I leave the supercharger/turbo for mostly drag cars.
Many companies have N/A packages that can give you a nice power boost.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 36
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Re: Supercharger or Single Turbo: In my opinion the main advantages of a turbo over a supercharger are:
1) Efficiency and power. Turbos create more HP per PSI of boost. This means you can get the same horsepower (or more) but less chance of detonation. For example, a good turbo setup on a stock LS1 with 4 PSI boost could provide simular HP as a supercharger at 5 PSI. The less boost on your engine the longer it will last.
2) Torque. Turbos generally create lots of torque. Torque makes you accelerate. Torque = FUN.
3) Turbos remove heat and thus sound from the exhaust. So you can run an exhaust that flows better without a turbo and it may not be as loud as it normally would. Or you could run it on an already quiet exhaust and operate in steath mode. For daily drivers this may be worth consideration.
4) If you have a boost controller for your turbo its generalaly much easier to adjust boost than a supercharger. You might want to dial in a few more PSI on higher octane while at the track.
These are the main reasons I'm going with a turbo, with items 1 & 2 being the most important to me personally.
<small>[ May 09, 2002, 03:10 AM: Message edited by: nostromo ]</small>
1) Efficiency and power. Turbos create more HP per PSI of boost. This means you can get the same horsepower (or more) but less chance of detonation. For example, a good turbo setup on a stock LS1 with 4 PSI boost could provide simular HP as a supercharger at 5 PSI. The less boost on your engine the longer it will last.
2) Torque. Turbos generally create lots of torque. Torque makes you accelerate. Torque = FUN.
3) Turbos remove heat and thus sound from the exhaust. So you can run an exhaust that flows better without a turbo and it may not be as loud as it normally would. Or you could run it on an already quiet exhaust and operate in steath mode. For daily drivers this may be worth consideration.
4) If you have a boost controller for your turbo its generalaly much easier to adjust boost than a supercharger. You might want to dial in a few more PSI on higher octane while at the track.
These are the main reasons I'm going with a turbo, with items 1 & 2 being the most important to me personally.
<small>[ May 09, 2002, 03:10 AM: Message edited by: nostromo ]</small>
