1. Compressor
2. more dense, senseless packed air, more oxygen available for combustion

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A turbocharger and a supercharger both serve the same broad purpose—forcing more air into an engine to increase power. They accomplish this in different ways:

Turbocharger

1. Powered by Exhaust Gases

A turbocharger uses the engine’s own exhaust gases as its source of power. Exhaust gases flow through and spin a turbine wheel.

2. Turbine and Compressor

Attached to the turbine wheel by a shaft is a compressor wheel (or “impeller”). As the turbine spins from the exhaust flow, it simultaneously drives the compressor.

3. Compressing Intake Air

The compressor draws in ambient air, compresses it, and sends it into the engine’s intake manifold. Because the air is more densely packed, more oxygen is available for combustion, which increases power output.

4. Lag (Turbo Lag)

One characteristic of many turbo setups is “turbo lag”: the time it takes for the turbine to spin up to speed before the turbocharger starts delivering extra compressed air (particularly at lower RPM).

Supercharger

1. Mechanically Driven

Unlike a turbocharger (which uses exhaust gases), a supercharger is driven directly by the engine—usually via a belt connected to the crankshaft.

2. Rotors or Impellers

Inside the supercharger are either rotating lobes, screws, or impellers (depending on the design) that compress incoming air and force it into the intake manifold.

3. Immediate Power

Because it is mechanically driven, a supercharger does not typically have the same lag as a turbocharger. The downside, however, is that the engine expends some power to drive the supercharger.

4. Types of Superchargers

• Roots-Type: Uses two meshing lobes that move air around the outside of each lobe and then force it into the intake.

• Twin-Screw: More efficient version of the Roots-type—draws air in and compresses it internally.

• Centrifugal: Similar in look to a turbo’s compressor but belt-driven rather than exhaust-driven.

Comparing Turbochargers and Superchargers

1. Power Delivery

• Turbocharger: Gains power from exhaust gases, can provide high-end power but may suffer lag at low RPM.

• Supercharger: Immediate boost at low engine speeds but uses engine power to run, creating a parasitic loss.

2. Efficiency

• Turbocharger: Can be more efficient overall because it recycles exhaust energy (though it can create extra heat and back pressure).

• Supercharger: Straightforward design but can be less efficient because the engine has to drive it.

3. Complexity and Packaging

• Turbocharger: Requires additional plumbing (exhaust piping, intercooler lines) and more heat management.

• Supercharger: Typically simpler to install on some engine configurations, though it can be large and takes space on the front of the engine.

In summary, both turbochargers and superchargers increase an engine’s power output by increasing the amount of air (and oxygen) available for combustion. A turbocharger relies on exhaust gas flow to drive a turbine and compressor, while a supercharger uses mechanical power directly from the engine’s crankshaft. Each approach has its trade-offs in responsiveness, efficiency, and complexity.