Supercharger or Tubo????

[evilC]

I had a look at supercharging a Bug but unless you could get the ultra short Toyota 'chargers space was a real problem. the MC 45 is the most appropriate size for a bug engine up to say 2.5ltrs but the entry is on the end and therefore makes it too long in normal configuration. The advantage of the 'charger is that it makes power from idle thus giving the impression of a larger motor, whereas a turbo relies more on revs and tends to make its hp further up the rev range (a bit like a tuned motor). For a pure street car the mechanical supercharger has more going for it IMO but a turbo can make more ultimate hp.
In a bug the conclusion I came to was that a supercharger was the way to go as a first stage if the space problem could be solved. I have been recently been looking at mounting the 'charger at 90deg and taking the drive off a pair of bevel gears with the thing mounted on its edge with the outlet facing forward. This would then connect to a plenum with a feed to each bank of cylinders. The Merc CLK MC45 unit looks the best adaptable configuration and my next stage is to measure it all up and set it out.
There are more compact 'chargers like Vortech but they rely on revs to get the best out of them so the relatively slow revving bug is not suited.