supercharge or turbo?
07-02-2009, 09:03 PM
#1
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supercharge or turbo?
I recently bought my rx8 and I am new to rotary power and tuning and I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on the pros and cons of both, like long term engine wear, reliability, quickness, cost etc.
07-02-2009, 09:35 PM
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lots of reading ahead of you, I forsee.
there are lots of useful threads here that can be found by using our search function towards the top right.
Use the advanced search and start by searching thread titles only.
You'll find that this board is quite split on the subject with Pros / Cons for both forms of FI. It really comes down to what YOU want out of your car, what you're willing to spend, and what you fits your goals.
Good luck, have fun with the research, and let us know which one you decide on.
there are lots of useful threads here that can be found by using our search function towards the top right.
Use the advanced search and start by searching thread titles only.
You'll find that this board is quite split on the subject with Pros / Cons for both forms of FI. It really comes down to what YOU want out of your car, what you're willing to spend, and what you fits your goals.
Good luck, have fun with the research, and let us know which one you decide on.
07-02-2009, 10:00 PM
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Welcome to the forum. There is lots of great information here about the car and forced induction, check out the Major Horsepower Upgrades section in particular and read through the stickies. There is no "right" answer about supercharger or turbocharger, there are fans of both.
In general turbochargers will result in more torque, while superchargers keep a power curve similar to the stock power curve. They both will cost a similar amount to set up reliably, and there are various kits availabe. Kits which work with a stock ECU reflash will be more reliable, so do some research on the various kits.
If you are interested in the supercharger route, check out the Pettit kit, I've seen it and its very nicely put together. I personally prefer turbochargers, but its taken no small amount of effort for me to piece together my setup. In general I've found that setting up a turbo kit to work with the stock ECU reflash is harder, because most of the available turbo kits do not have a MAF setup that works properly with the OEM computer. SFR is apparently looking to update their kit to support the AccessPORT (arguably the best ECU option available) and Esmeril makes a pretty nice kit despite lack of support for the AccessPORT.
In general turbochargers will result in more torque, while superchargers keep a power curve similar to the stock power curve. They both will cost a similar amount to set up reliably, and there are various kits availabe. Kits which work with a stock ECU reflash will be more reliable, so do some research on the various kits.
If you are interested in the supercharger route, check out the Pettit kit, I've seen it and its very nicely put together. I personally prefer turbochargers, but its taken no small amount of effort for me to piece together my setup. In general I've found that setting up a turbo kit to work with the stock ECU reflash is harder, because most of the available turbo kits do not have a MAF setup that works properly with the OEM computer. SFR is apparently looking to update their kit to support the AccessPORT (arguably the best ECU option available) and Esmeril makes a pretty nice kit despite lack of support for the AccessPORT.
07-02-2009, 10:02 PM
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You Dumbass!!!
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Power = Turbo
Ease = Supercharger.
Both are extra maintenance
Both are reliable when maintained.
If cost is even an issue, don't bother, save money, try again later.
Ease = Supercharger.
Both are extra maintenance
Both are reliable when maintained.
If cost is even an issue, don't bother, save money, try again later.
07-02-2009, 10:29 PM
#13
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she's gone from SUCK to BLOW!
07-02-2009, 11:57 PM
#14
Rotary Powered Countryboy
wow I feel like I keep reading about the same "supercharger or turbo" threads.....search and decide what you want....basically come down to Tuning for reliablilty....bad tune is blown engine...good tune w/good maintenance then can have ALMOST NA reliability...but anything FI will shorten the life of the engine!
07-03-2009, 12:57 AM
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These threads get started every couple of days at least... we should probably have a sticky in the Major Horsepower Upgrades forum entitled, "Supercharger or Turbocharger?" which has the pertinent links in it and a summary. Maybe I'll write the post this weekend... depends on how busy I get with family stuff.
07-03-2009, 02:38 AM
#17
I made some poos
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These threads get started every couple of days at least... we should probably have a sticky in the Major Horsepower Upgrades forum entitled, "Supercharger or Turbocharger?" which has the pertinent links in it and a summary. Maybe I'll write the post this weekend... depends on how busy I get with family stuff.
Better to have a few cold beers and enjoy your weekend with the family.
07-03-2009, 04:30 AM
#19
Tony says, RX8s are GREAT
07-03-2009, 09:30 AM
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07-03-2009, 09:33 AM
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Yeah, not sure where those numbers came from either... they are totally random as far as I can tell heh. In fact, if anything a good turbo setup will cost slightly more than a comparable supercharger setup due to the need for a boost controller, blow off valve, etc.
07-03-2009, 12:24 PM
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glad SOMEONE got the joke! 
As for the $15k figures, that sounds awfully high.
REALISTICALLY, if you're going to turbo or SC and your'e doing it RIGHT (ie; no shitty greddy turbos or incomplete pettit kits), proper tuning, water meth, gauges, Boost controller, etc etc, be prepared to spend $10k.
disclaimer: not knocking the pettit kit, just we all know it could use a little extra stuff to really show off its potential.
As for the $15k figures, that sounds awfully high.
REALISTICALLY, if you're going to turbo or SC and your'e doing it RIGHT (ie; no shitty greddy turbos or incomplete pettit kits), proper tuning, water meth, gauges, Boost controller, etc etc, be prepared to spend $10k.
disclaimer: not knocking the pettit kit, just we all know it could use a little extra stuff to really show off its potential.
07-03-2009, 12:36 PM
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It also depends on how much of the installation you are doing yourself Jedi, how much a tune will cost you (ie dyno tuning), and how much you spend on supporting modifications like ignition upgrade, midpipe, intake etc. I would have a hard time separating mods I got to go FI from the cost of going FI.
07-03-2009, 12:41 PM
#24
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blackenedwings: very good point.
That is sort of what I was implying when I said "do it right".
I just hate seeing people half *** something like an FI upgrade.
That is sort of what I was implying when I said "do it right".
I just hate seeing people half *** something like an FI upgrade.
07-03-2009, 03:50 PM
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