Post#5 » Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:57 pm
The difference between superchargers and turbochargers comes down to how they are driven
The SC is driven off the crank of the motor, and on average consumes up to 33% of the motors power just to drive it, this amount shrinks as engine power specs go up (ie: dragster motors)
The supercharger's benefit is that it comes on immediately with no lag. Daimler has used them since 1900, they are nothing new and no problem to use, but they are usually not that efficient in this type of application (the G), they are more for a muscle car, going in a straight line, wanting to accelerate fast.
Modern ones do a better job with a more linear curve of power. There is no "turbo lag" here.
One other benefit of the SC is that it uses fresh air, so head temps always stay low, which is good for engine longevity on motors that run hot.....like M110s!
I think it is overall, and interesting concept, and would be neat to try so long as it is efficient. You have to map it. You also have to reflow the whole engine, head, manifolds, exhaust, injection tuning, it's a big job to get it all right.
-mike