Whats the difference between a "Super Charged" and a "Turbo Charged" engine?

**Neil** · 10-25-2007, 07:11 AM

Is there a difference between a Super Charged engine and a Turbo charged engine. I'm looking at a 99 Buick Regal GS which has a 3.8l "Super Charged" engine. Is that the same thing as Turbo Charged, where the air is forced into the intake?

**Modulistic** · 10-25-2007, 07:14 AM

yes, theres a difference.

**third_shift|studios** · 10-25-2007, 07:17 AM

supercharger is air forced by the blade being turned by a serpentine belt from the engine.

turbo charged is a blade being turned by air from the headers [no the exhaust isn't entering the engine, just powering the turbo]

**Neil** · 10-25-2007, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

supercharger is air forced by the blade being turned by a serpentine belt from the engine.

turbo charged is a blade being turned by air from the headers [no the exhaust isn't entering the engine, just powering the turbo]

Interesting - so that it sounds like a "Supercharger" would have a more constant (or at least predictable) power curve with a greater parasitic loss (since it is pulling power from the engine at a constand rate), but a Turbo charger would have less parasitic loss (primarily powered from the exhast), but a much steeper power curve - power increasing exponentially.

Am I over thinking this?

**86 IROC-Z** · 10-25-2007, 07:33 AM

Thats where turbo lag comes from

**94z28l** · 10-25-2007, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Neil

Interesting - so that it sounds like a "Supercharger" would have a more constant (or at least predictable) power curve with a greater parasitic loss (since it is pulling power from the engine at a constand rate), but a Turbo charger would have less parasitic loss (primarily powered from the exhast), but a much steeper power curve - power increasing exponentially.

Am I over thinking this?

no you pretty much got it

**tnthub** · 10-25-2007, 07:48 AM

Basically, superchargers provide fixed boost at all rpms. Turbos increase boost as the rpms rise. Both setups can be adjusted and calibrated differently but in simplistic form that is the premise.

Dragsters use superchargers for a fixed rate of forced induction.

Superchargers typically have more parasitic loss. Turbos typically have some lag before they kick in. This all just information that is "general" in accuracy.

**flat-top** · 10-25-2007, 08:44 AM

great cars. I had a 00 Regal GSE. Look it up on kbb to get a value. I called mine the flying couch, smooth and fast. About 240hp.

**Neil** · 10-25-2007, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by flat-top

great cars. I had a 00 Regal GSE. Look it up on kbb to get a value. I called mine the flying couch, smooth and fast. About 240hp.

Yea - the funny thing is I'm looking for a 'first car' for my daughter, and a friend of my Brother-in-law has a 99 Buick Regal GS with 110,000 that he just wants to get rid of. He'd probably give it to me for less than 2k. He was given a 2006 Audi A6 and doesn;t want to deal with the hassle of selling the Buick- It needs detailing and brakes, but everything else is in perfect working order. My wife and daughter will HATE it, but I figure she is just going to run into things for the next two years anyway, so why buy her something 'cute' (as she puts it). I think a big old nasty Buick is just perfect. It's fully loaded too - (premium wheels, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated leather seats, dual-zone AC/Heat, Adjustable suspension, 6 speaker Monsoon AM/FM CD (ok - that may have to go), Sun roof, Tire Pressure Sensor, Traction Control, ABS. Everything.

The Supercharged engine is a plus for me - except there are more things that can go wrong and the engine will be harder to work on because everything will be wedged in pretty tight.

**third_shift|studios** · 10-25-2007, 09:19 AM

how does an old buick have all those new features???

**94z28l** · 10-25-2007, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Neil

Yea - the funny thing is I'm looking for a 'first car' for my daughter, and a friend of my Brother-in-law has a 99 Buick Regal GS with 110,000 that he just wants to get rid of. He'd probably give it to me for less than 2k. He was given a 2006 Audi A6 and doesn;t want to deal with the hassle of selling the Buick- It needs detailing and brakes, but everything else is in perfect working order. My wife and daughter will HATE it, but I figure she is just going to run into things for the next two years anyway, so why buy her something 'cute' (as she puts it). I think a big old nasty Buick is just perfect. It's fully loaded too - (premium wheels, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated leather seats, dual-zone AC/Heat, Adjustable suspension, 6 speaker Monsoon AM/FM CD (ok - that may have to go), Sun roof, Tire Pressure Sensor, Traction Control, ABS. Everything.

The Supercharged engine is a plus for me - except there are more things that can go wrong and the engine will be harder to work on because everything will be wedged in pretty tight.

tell her when she's talkin on the phone and gets in an accident she'll be safer in the big ugly buick than in the cute little car, worked for my fiance

**Neil** · 10-25-2007, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

how does an old buick have all those new features???

Well, it is a '99, so I guess it isn't that old - The Auto-dimming mirror and tire pressure sensor surprised me, but the rest have been around for some time now.