Turbocharger vs. Supercharger

[Tempest]

Hopefully, by next year I will have my Marauder (I have to hurry now). I tend to lean more towards turbocharging since you seem to get more raw torque and power from them. I loved the Buick Grand National for that as well.

They have companies that make 4.6 DOHC superchargers although I'm sure some modifications will have to made to make it work in the Marauder instead of the Mustang.

Another reason I think I would rather go the turbo route, is that it's not as common. Most people buy superchargers, so having a turbo Marauder would be even rarer.

What are your thoughts on this?

[MAD-3R]

The Marauder has a "lacking" in low end grunt, that would not be helped with the Turbo due to the turbo-lag. The Superchargers, particuarly the Roots style are a much better for the money.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what MAD said^^^

Turbo design is always a tricky balancing act between a big turbo, which will produce a lot of power, but has a long spool-up time (lots of lag), and a smaller unit which will spool up much more quickly, but make less power... then there's the custom exhaust plumbing to consider. A mechanically-driven supercharger, like the centrifugal-type or the Roots-type, will make gobs of power almost instantly, and requires only the replacement of the intake manifold, or, in the case of a centrifugal blower, some re-location of the accessories and some intake plumbing, all of which are bolt-ons.

You would indeed have a very rare car, if you went the turbo route, but it would probably cost a lot more; there are at least 3 supercharger setups already adapted to the Marauder, and anything turbo will be totally custom...

[looking97233]

A centrifical supercharger (Vortech ect.) is just a belt driven turbocharger. Only difference is less loss from the turbo since the exhaust gasses spin it. IMHO, it would cost lots, really prob. as much as the car to get it set up right, and would turn your car into a test mule.

[Warpath]

If money is no object - I'd take turbos without hesitation. Turbos are extremely efficient compared to superchargers. Superchargers can rob 50 - 100 hp. Turbos only a few. Plus, turbos indirectly create power from hot exhaust gas. There aren't too many DOHC engines with turbos. Most of the Mustang kits available are for SOHC. But, the few DOHC with turbos were astounding. I don't remember numbers though unfortunately.

BTW, centrifugal supercharges don't make power instantly. Boost doesn't get really start to climb until about 3k rpm. Roots blowers are different however.

[Tempest]

That pretty much sums it up on the way I was thinking too. Most people go the supercharger route, but turbos create more raw HP and torque if you compare the same boost levels for each.

Turbo Driven Concepts makes turbo kits for the DOHC 4.6 engines. Of course, these are for Mustangs, so I'm sure some modifications will be necessary for the Marauder. But their base kit STARTS at 450 HP! 1000+ is possible, if you want to really get into it.

Anyway, once I get the Marauder, I will set some money aside to hopefully get this modification within the first year.

And yes, centrifugal superchargers are more for the high RPM boost. A lot of people don't realize, that unless you drive with a heavy foot and revv up your engine to 3000+ RPM, you don't get much boost to your engine. At least roots type superchargers get full boost a lot quicker.

[Reaper948]

The most efficient supercharger there is is the Screw-Type supercharger that you can find most european tuners do to their cars.......power loss is decreased greatly.

As for turbocharging the Marauder.....if that were my only option.....Id go for twin. I dont know if its possible....but its baaaaaaaad aaaaaaaasssssss

but superchargers are the best way to go with the Marauder,
no more low end problems.....instant pow

[Tempest]

Well, I checked around, and I found a new company that's starting out and they want to sell twin turbo systems. I left my post (you can check it out under the Other Vehicles section). They said the Marauder would definitely be possible since they focus on the modular motor (both SOHC and DOHC).

Their site says they need donor cars to setup the turbo systems (30-60 days) to do the tooling. Good news is you only pay for the parts and not the installation if your the first one so they can set the kit up.

Check them out at www.inductionconcepts.com

With a twin turbo setup, the Marauder would be ready to stand with the best of them.

[tetsu]

I think if you are going to have someone else do your mods, s/c is better. It's simpler. Turbos are great if you are looking to MAX you output and do it yourself.....

The Car-Craft cars that I usually admire most are usually Turbo'd and rebuilt and reconfigured by the owner on a semiannual basis or better and run 10s 11s at 4000+ lbs. :)

Johnny