Forced Induction Systems - Turbo and Supercharger

One thing car enthusiasts love to do is improve theexhaust of the engine. Therefore, a turbo only powers
performance of their cars. This can be accomplished inon when the exhaust is pushed out. This creates an
many ways but one of the most popular is to installeffect often called "turbo lag" which means that there
aftermarket performance car parts or highis a space of inactivity between when the motorist hits
performance racing parts that are designed to buildthe gas and when the turbo spools up and powers the
upon and increase the power of a car's existingvehicle.
engine. Two popular parts are often used toA supercharger is an air compressor that, like a turbo
accomplish this and they are both forced inductioncharger, uses forced induction. However, unlike a turbo
systems. One is called a turbo and the other is called awhich is powered by a turbine driven by the engine's
supercharger. Both of these aftermarket parts are builtexhaust, a supercharger is powered mechanically by a
to enhance the power of a car's intake and exhaustbelt, gear, and shaft connected to the engine's
system.crankshaft. Since a supercharger is powered
A turbo is a gas-compressor that is used to increasemechanically, power is instantaneous rather than
the density of air entering an engine, in order to creategradual since the vehicle doesn't have to wait for the
more power. The compressor of a turbo is poweredexhaust to power the turbine.
by a turbine or rotary engine that is driven by the