Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo?
Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? I have been reading on this forum for quite a while, and this question is something I have always been wondering. It seems to me, correct me if I am wrong, that all of the advantages are with the turbo (no belt slip, better reliability, no whine, etc.) and the cost is not that much more. So why are so many people still going the supercharger route? Is there something I am missing? Have there been any complaints about turbos that I haven't seen? Seems to me that if I had the money and wanted FI I would just bolt on the ls1motorsports single turbo kit. So what am I not seeing? Someone help me out with this, as it has been bugging me for quite a while. Thanks 
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,603
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town, IL
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? People like to try different things.....we have yet to see a lot of track proven turbos, there are a few out there, I was considering getting the LS1motorsports kit, but that was a lot of money when looking at it...
I went with the ATI d-1sc instead, turbos don't have a whine, but they spool up, and create monster TQ, and that will break a lot of things if your car isn't setup right...
I went with the ATI d-1sc instead, turbos don't have a whine, but they spool up, and create monster TQ, and that will break a lot of things if your car isn't setup right...
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? -Price
-Ease of instalation
-Complexity and shear quantity of parts required with a turbo setup
-Tuning, which seems to be harder on the turbo cars since they are less common
I'd go turbo too if I went FI, but a SC is just easier and proven in most cases.
-Ease of instalation
-Complexity and shear quantity of parts required with a turbo setup
-Tuning, which seems to be harder on the turbo cars since they are less common
I'd go turbo too if I went FI, but a SC is just easier and proven in most cases.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 0
From: Chi-Town
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? I went with the ATI d-1sc instead, turbos don't have a whine, but they spool up, and create monster TQ, and that will break a lot of things if your car isn't setup right...
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? -Price
-Installation
-Complexity and quantity of parts
-More tuning examples and experience to choose from
Uh... what Fast LS1 said.
It seems it's hard for a good kit for the F-body to come to market.
-Installation
-Complexity and quantity of parts
-More tuning examples and experience to choose from
Uh... what Fast LS1 said.
It seems it's hard for a good kit for the F-body to come to market.
Trending Topics
7 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 0
From: Grove City Ohio/Port Washington L.I sometimes
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo?
-Price
-Installation
-Complexity and quantity of parts
-More tuning examples and experience to choose from
Uh... what Fast LS1 said.
It seems it's hard for a good kit for the F-body to come to market.
-Installation
-Complexity and quantity of parts
-More tuning examples and experience to choose from
Uh... what Fast LS1 said.
It seems it's hard for a good kit for the F-body to come to market.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? I'm referring to the buy-in price of the FI kit.
Normally, it's cheaper to get the SC on there... even cost of installation is less.
Adding things later applies to other things, too... suspension, drivetrain components, etc.
It's cheaper to initially go Supercharger.
Normally, it's cheaper to get the SC on there... even cost of installation is less.
Adding things later applies to other things, too... suspension, drivetrain components, etc.
It's cheaper to initially go Supercharger.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Pleasanton, CA
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? Turbo for me = No whine, no passing CA emissions, and no way of using my "BLWN LS1" personalized plate. The S/C route was much better for my needs...
Mike M
Mike M
7 Second Club
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 0
From: Grove City Ohio/Port Washington L.I sometimes
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? Ls1bird your right about the emission stuff.I live in Ohio and tend to forget about the emission crap some parts of the country have to deal with.In cali you dont have much choice.ATI all the way for you guys.
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? For me its the personality of the car.
I have my Z28 all spiffed up with LT headers, true duels, and a TR224 - 112LSA cam (a pretty good lope). So its got an "old school, muscle car" kind of feel to it. To build on that, I'm going to some day (hope to be soon
) add a SC (small Vortch or ProCharger) and a little Nitrous (perhaps 50 or 75 shot) to finish it off.
If I went with a turbo I would have to give all that personality up and it just would not be the same. Sure it would be faster, but it would be missing the entire feel that I have worked so hard to build.
Chris
I have my Z28 all spiffed up with LT headers, true duels, and a TR224 - 112LSA cam (a pretty good lope). So its got an "old school, muscle car" kind of feel to it. To build on that, I'm going to some day (hope to be soon
) add a SC (small Vortch or ProCharger) and a little Nitrous (perhaps 50 or 75 shot) to finish it off.If I went with a turbo I would have to give all that personality up and it just would not be the same. Sure it would be faster, but it would be missing the entire feel that I have worked so hard to build.
Chris
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? Negatives of a SC
1. Blowers put stress on the crank
2. hard to hit a button on your electronic boost controller and get a 100 more HP on a SC car
3. hard to get 5% parasitic losses from a SC
4. Losing 6 $100.00 belts in a day can get expensive.
5. Blowers can make for a loud exhaust
Positives
1. You mean I don't have to sell my headers, catback?
2. Lag? I won't have any of that!
3. You installed your blower in 6 hours? DAMN!
4. Tuned it in like 4 hours...you say that's quick?
5. You mean I have to take the Turbo off? OMFG!!!! (Twin Turbo only.....lol)
Good Luck on your decision.....
1. Blowers put stress on the crank
2. hard to hit a button on your electronic boost controller and get a 100 more HP on a SC car
3. hard to get 5% parasitic losses from a SC
4. Losing 6 $100.00 belts in a day can get expensive.
5. Blowers can make for a loud exhaust
Positives
1. You mean I don't have to sell my headers, catback?
2. Lag? I won't have any of that!
3. You installed your blower in 6 hours? DAMN!
4. Tuned it in like 4 hours...you say that's quick?
5. You mean I have to take the Turbo off? OMFG!!!! (Twin Turbo only.....lol)
Good Luck on your decision.....
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Shelby Twp, MI
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? I looked into the Procharger and the Turbo. I went with the turbo since it's very sleeper-like at a light. With the right turbo and gear or stall, there is so little lag you won't notice. I have a T60 which is relatively small compared to other single turbos setups, but it will get me to the goal I want. It spools up very fast and I have to be careful on the gas pedal. Depending on the kit you choose, the buy in price is pretty close, so that really isn't that much of an issue. The cars feel a lot different though. Turbos have that neck snapping torque, and S/C have the tires roasting action off the line. The only problem with the turbo cars is that if you have one, you are sort of a lone rider in your neighborhood. The only turbo LS1s I know are from the boards online.... there are a few procharged LS1s around my house tho and I would love to race one to see the difference. You can't lose either way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? I'm going with turbo and the ls1motorsports kit comes with a lot of stuff you'll need to buy in addition to a blower tuner kit. I think the turbo kit came out to be about 1k more expensive than the blower route. But, to have more power, and the ability to go from mild to wild to mild with a controller, I chose the lure of the turbo. 
I build my drivetrain up first though. Moser 9" should be here soon.
I build my drivetrain up first though. Moser 9" should be here soon. TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo?
The only problem with the turbo cars is that if you have one, you are sort of a lone rider in your neighborhood. The only turbo LS1s I know are from the boards online....
There are A LOT of turbo LS1 cars coming out, now.
SC-
Re: Why would anyone go with a super over a turbo? how about this answer.....
You mean i can order my power adder today, and it can be shipped tomorrow.
...... no turbo companies that i know of can do that.
Ryan. <--- HUGE turbo fan, (and have thoughts of trying a custom one) but with $$ concerned, ould rather deal with a "large manufacture" than a "speed shop" when spending $5000 on a product.
You mean i can order my power adder today, and it can be shipped tomorrow.
...... no turbo companies that i know of can do that.
Ryan. <--- HUGE turbo fan, (and have thoughts of trying a custom one) but with $$ concerned, ould rather deal with a "large manufacture" than a "speed shop" when spending $5000 on a product.
