The difference between turbocharger and mechanical supercharger

1. Different sources of power

Mechanical supercharger: It is directly connected to the engine crankshaft through a belt, and the supercharger is driven to operate using the engine's speed. Therefore, the power source of mechanical supercharger is the engine itself, which will consume part of the engine power. ‌

‌Turbocharger‌: Use the exhaust gas discharged from the engine to push the turbine, thereby driving the compressor on the intake side to work. The power source of turbocharger is exhaust gas, which does not directly consume engine power. ‌

2. Different working characteristics

‌Supply‌:

Advantages: No hysteresis, linear power output, and good boosting effect can be provided at low speeds, suitable for models that pursue a smooth driving experience. ‌

‌Disadvantages‌: The boosting effect is limited at high speed and consumes more fuel, because the supercharger always operates synchronously with the engine. ‌

Turbocharger:

Advantages: The boosting effect at high speed is significant, the power is significantly improved, and the fuel consumption is relatively low, making it suitable for models that pursue high performance.

Disadvantages: There is turbo hysteresis, and the boosting effect is not obvious at low speeds, and the engine needs to reach a certain speed before it can intervene.

3. Different applicable scenarios

Supercharge: More suitable for models that require high response to low-speed power, such as luxury cars or vehicles that focus on driving comfort. ‌

Turbocharger: More suitable for models with high-speed power performance, such as sports cars or small-displacement engines.

4. Summary of advantages and disadvantages

Supercharger: Good low-speed performance, smooth power output, but limited high-speed performance and high fuel consumption.

‌Turbocharger‌: High-speed performance, low fuel consumption, but hysteresis occurs at low speeds.

From the above comparison, we can see that mechanical supercharger and turbocharger have their own advantages and disadvantages, and which supercharger method is chosen depends on the specific needs and design goals of the vehicle.