hp versus torque

[oicdn]

Supercharging is BRUTAL on the bottom end. Rather than a ramp up in the power curve, it's all instantaneous as soon as you hit the throttle.

Although nice, the versatility isn't there. Takes power to make power. You have more options with a turbo, and is a friendlier in terms of configuring/customization.

I'm a turbo guy...I've thought about supercharging in my ricer days, and couldn't justify the cost on the minimal power. And the idea of a belt/pulley determining everything was somewhat unsettling....simpler, but it's just lacking the RAW power a turbo has....

[oasis]

I'm not against turbo. I will go that route with my Super using a Type I or a Type IV if that's better than supercharging or a proper naturally aspirated larger displacement.

All I do know is the 1.8T is schizo with its spooling in normal driving and has a noticable lag when you need to punch it to get around Grandma Moses. I want the instantaneous response and that is why I will go with supercharging with my Cabrio when the time comes.

Versatility is not an issue with me. I want to set it and forget it regardless which of my cars we're talking about. I don't want to be constantly tuning and adjusting.

I regularly maintain all of my vehicles every 5,000 miles. I know some people change their oil every 3,000. Nothing is wrong with that. My system has served me well through four Fords, a Fiat and eight (I think) VW's. All reached 100,000 miles before being sold or needing a rebuild. In fact, only two needed a rebuild. My Jetta at 300,000 when I sold it and an Econoline van at 120,000 when I sold it. My Super will probably need one in the next 10-15,000 miles.

Those are my desires. What engine and whether there is forced air or not by any means is what I am trying to figure out so I can make plans accordingly.

I appreciate all of the responses and opinions -- especially from all of you here because you know more and you have been there and done that. This is my first foray.

[beetle1303]

as oicdn said, a supercharger is brutal on the bottom end (bearings mostly and bearing seats on the case),
and takes power to make power, that's why the relatively low power gain.

Now if properly designed and mostly calculated, both systems can perform similarly.
That said, IMO(from a longevity point view) a supercharger will be best suited to easy but fast
(linear kind of driving) around town, while the turbo for more spirited driving
(more racy, with many and sudden throttle changes etc)

Both systems can produce high hp and torque numbers. The limiting factor of the turbo will be the flow of the
compressor side
Example:the vag 1.8t when revved hard, above specific rpm the engine losses power before
reaching the limited rpm range. this means that the compressor cannot flow more air (which is produced on the
exhaust side due to higher rpm)

While the limiting factor on the supercharger while be the Continuous Variable Gearbox of the belt.
Because in this kind of application, boost is produced from very low rpm, just over idle when the throttle is
opened. If the gearing of the belt was static (constant), the boost level would rise and blow the engine apart.
There is this smart device called the CVG that reduces the gearing on the charger side of the belt.
The thing is what is the higher and lower gearing achieved and what is the rate of descent ("lowering rate").

If major tuning is going on both systems will require a suitable intercooler (air-air/air-water)
to keep intake charge temps down.

Gearing plays a major role in satisfactory driving performance and if done properly will complement any engine
(NA/Turbo/Supercharger), although the two later systems will need a little wider gearing to properly utilise
their increased torque output. On the other hand if this is overdone a turboed car's performance will suffer
from severe "turbo lag".

Both systems are boost-wise fully customizable, while the turbo offers more versatility in the mounting/routing
aspect of the modification.

My ideal config would be a fully forged 2.0L t4 with a t04 garret ball bearing turbo, custom header, custom manifold, charge cooler (air-water)2 twin throttle bodies, 2 intake plenums and standalone efi system with ignition control
Gearbox...dunno yet something to be able to hold 400hp and 45-50 kg/m
Just my 2 cents...

Chris