View Poll Results: Which one would you get for your 8?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 138. You may not vote on this poll
Turbocharged or SuperCharged?
A: Whichever one puts a bigger grin on your face. Seriously, it's your car, make your decision. Hopefully with research and thought, but still, your opinion, your car.
Personally, while turbo has higher highs, I would do S/C because it would preserve more of the N/A curve and response, and still provides more power than is really useful, while being more reliable and simpler to install/maintain/tune. And sounds like a spooling jet engine.
Something else to think about is the turn-over rate of people that go turbo, then go back and get rid of the turbo. Compare briefly to the number of people that have gone back to NA from a supercharger.
It says something.
Personally, while turbo has higher highs, I would do S/C because it would preserve more of the N/A curve and response, and still provides more power than is really useful, while being more reliable and simpler to install/maintain/tune. And sounds like a spooling jet engine.
Something else to think about is the turn-over rate of people that go turbo, then go back and get rid of the turbo. Compare briefly to the number of people that have gone back to NA from a supercharger.
It says something.
I used to think that too, until I educated myself on the subject (thanks in no small part to some of the more learned here on the topic).
It's all compromise at some point. I just prefer s/c as more innately reliable.
Nice graph Jedi.
It's all compromise at some point. I just prefer s/c as more innately reliable.
Nice graph Jedi.
Registered
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
I also use to think this way and my continuing education on the matter just reaffirms my initial conclusion. Turbos are the superior FI system! 
Both have plus and minuses but in the end you are recapturing wasted energy with a turbo which translates into more power from each gallon of gas. This is why most manufactures are using turbos to one extent or another in their line ups while SC remain a obscure option for all intensive purposes.
Both have plus and minuses but in the end you are recapturing wasted energy with a turbo which translates into more power from each gallon of gas. This is why most manufactures are using turbos to one extent or another in their line ups while SC remain a obscure option for all intensive purposes.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Naperville, IL
10 sequential turbos for mega boost across all rpms!!!!!
S/C will add a little bit more down low, whereas you get the most gains from the turbo higher up.. depending on how you size the turbo
S/C will add a little bit more down low, whereas you get the most gains from the turbo higher up.. depending on how you size the turbo
Software Engineer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
is looking for his torque
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
lols on the 2jz 
but its preference with lots of other threads on this.
reasons i would sc:minority, persuasive pettit theory on turbo failures, new hymee sc.
reasons i would tc: bov, you FEEL the power.
but its preference with lots of other threads on this.
reasons i would sc:minority, persuasive pettit theory on turbo failures, new hymee sc.
reasons i would tc: bov, you FEEL the power.
Not really, they've probably turboed more Renesis engines than they've installed their supercharger. Their paper is very objective, see my sig and read it and see for yourself.
Capturing that wasted energy also restricts the exhaust, so ..... as always, compromise.
The real reason that there are substantially more turbo's than superchargers in the sportscar world is that they are more bang for the manufacturers buck - easier to cheaply manufacture, easier to locate (most anywhere in the exhaust stream). etc, etc.
The real reason that there are substantially more turbo's than superchargers in the sportscar world is that they are more bang for the manufacturers buck - easier to cheaply manufacture, easier to locate (most anywhere in the exhaust stream). etc, etc.
I also use to think this way and my continuing education on the matter just reaffirms my initial conclusion. Turbos are the superior FI system!
Both have plus and minuses but in the end you are recapturing wasted energy with a turbo which translates into more power from each gallon of gas. This is why most manufactures are using turbos to one extent or another in their line ups while SC remain a obscure option for all intensive purposes.
Both have plus and minuses but in the end you are recapturing wasted energy with a turbo which translates into more power from each gallon of gas. This is why most manufactures are using turbos to one extent or another in their line ups while SC remain a obscure option for all intensive purposes.
The reason everyone is killing your thread is because there are at least 985,679,411.7 other posts asking the same question. Research first. Write down exactly what you want from an FI kit, and find the closest one that matches your needs. Be reasonable though, you are only dealing with 1.3L. Don't settle. If your dream kit costs $9K just for parts, don't settle for the $5K kit thats not as good but more within reach. You do NOT want to save money on forced induction, you want to SPEND money. You're going to spend a lot of money on FI. Either at first or later. If you cheap out and get some POS kit, ask anyone on this site, you're going to pay later. Do it right the first time. If you can't pay, don't play.
There are tradeoffs with each type of kit. A turbocharger will be a more quiet ride and flows much more torque. I have yet to meet someone with a supercharged RX8 that wasn't happy with their ride though, especially since a supercharged RX8 is basically no different than a naturally aspirated RX8 as far as maintenance goes. Ending advice is RESEARCH. If you're serious into FI then do your homework. Worst thing that could happen is that you actually learn something. BTW if a turbo and supercharger kit are both set up correctly, there's nothing that could go wrong on a turbocharger that can't happen to a supercharger. You can run lean and detonate on either kit, so arguing which is more reliable in theory is pointless. This is my first and last post in this thread. Have a nice day.
There are tradeoffs with each type of kit. A turbocharger will be a more quiet ride and flows much more torque. I have yet to meet someone with a supercharged RX8 that wasn't happy with their ride though, especially since a supercharged RX8 is basically no different than a naturally aspirated RX8 as far as maintenance goes. Ending advice is RESEARCH. If you're serious into FI then do your homework. Worst thing that could happen is that you actually learn something. BTW if a turbo and supercharger kit are both set up correctly, there's nothing that could go wrong on a turbocharger that can't happen to a supercharger. You can run lean and detonate on either kit, so arguing which is more reliable in theory is pointless. This is my first and last post in this thread. Have a nice day.
Last edited by Red Rex; Apr 16, 2009 at 08:16 AM.
Life begins @ 30 psi
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MD
Both options have benefits and disadvantages. If you prefer the OEM like power curve that stays linear a SC is the best bet. If you want a brief spool that kicks you in the back, go with a turbo. Arguing that more cars are turbocharged than SC because its cheaper for the manufacturer is asinine, there are a hell of a lot more aftermarket turbos than factory. Its just as silly to say that SC are somehow a fringe technology and nobody uses them, as tons of cars use superchargers. More muscle cars use superchargers than turbos because the power curve is so linear and they generate so much low end torque.
They are both viable in general, they are both viable for the RX-8, and it boils down to personal preference, price, and what you want your car to drive like. I love both SC and turbo, but I personally find a turbo more fun to drive. Besides, blow off valves sound amazing, and really you are picking between the sound you like more: vvvvVVVRREEEEEEEEEEEeerrrrr (SC) or vvvrrrrRRR PssssHHHHHH
Registered
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Agreed, the turbo will cause some restriction but the overall equation is a big plus from normally wasted energy. SC do not recapture any wasted energy, they are parasitic to the main power. With SC the net result is more power but at a lower efficiency then a turbo.
I also agree with your second comment which pretty much reaffirms my initial statement that Turboing is a superior solution. I understand when a SC makes sense and why some people would select it but over all Turboing is a less expensive, more efficient solution. I would even go as far as to say just as reliable when set up properly ie STi or EVO.
On a side note, if you have seen these arguments before then leave! No one has a gun to your head to read this thread and although other treads like this exist this one allows people like myself who had not participated in the earlier threads to discuss what we think. I may not agree with Huey52 opinion but I am interested in why he made it and debating it with him. So if this bores you...move along, we are really less interested in hearing from you then you are from us.
I also agree with your second comment which pretty much reaffirms my initial statement that Turboing is a superior solution. I understand when a SC makes sense and why some people would select it but over all Turboing is a less expensive, more efficient solution. I would even go as far as to say just as reliable when set up properly ie STi or EVO.
On a side note, if you have seen these arguments before then leave! No one has a gun to your head to read this thread and although other treads like this exist this one allows people like myself who had not participated in the earlier threads to discuss what we think. I may not agree with Huey52 opinion but I am interested in why he made it and debating it with him. So if this bores you...move along, we are really less interested in hearing from you then you are from us.
Capturing that wasted energy also restricts the exhaust, so ..... as always, compromise.
The real reason that there are substantially more turbo's than superchargers in the sportscar world is that they are more bang for the manufacturers buck - easier to cheaply manufacture, easier to locate (most anywhere in the exhaust stream). etc, etc.
The real reason that there are substantially more turbo's than superchargers in the sportscar world is that they are more bang for the manufacturers buck - easier to cheaply manufacture, easier to locate (most anywhere in the exhaust stream). etc, etc.