Supercharger or turbo?

[AmericanZ71]

what would get me more MPG? i will be staying out of the gas substantially even after i install the SC or turbo cuz with gas prices 4.50 i can do away with going fast in a short distance. what would be best on the transmission? drive train?
i have a 97 silvy z71 with the 350

[DarkCharisma]

If you want MPG, forced induction is NOT the way to go.

[NICK@STILLEN]

If you want forced induction and better MPG is the question... Supercharger!

[DarkCharisma]

I personally like turbos more than SC's (I like the sound and feeling of building boost) and I think they're a bit easier to install with the right kit, STS comes to mind.

[NICK@STILLEN]

as far as reliability, fuel consumption, and consistancy I would put my money on a super charger.

it might take an extra hour or two to install, but it will save you costly repairs in the long run.

[Atomic]

Turbos are inhearently more effecient by their design, but both will probably be about the same.

$5000 can buy a lot of gas...

[bankspowered98]

Supercharger :)

[whitesilvy2000]

niether in my opinion. after you get the boost bug you just want more.

[acethedragon]

turbo will get better mileage than a centrifical supercharger but should be close to a maggie style. but like you heard if you want mileage, should probably stay away from fi.

[AmericanZ71]

im getting a lot of mixed ideas between turbos and SCs. i mean sure i would abuse the new power with FI but that feeling wouldnt last too long. i would have my fun, get used to it, and then start to drive normal again. im still on the side where to not even get FI but I was just curious too see what is the best option based on mpg.

and atomic, $5000 will buy almost a year's worth of gas lol...

[DarkCharisma]

Originally Posted by AmericanZ71

im getting a lot of mixed ideas between turbos and SCs. i mean sure i would abuse the new power with FI but that feeling wouldnt last too long. i would have my fun, get used to it, and then start to drive normal again. im still on the side where to not even get FI but I was just curious too see what is the best option based on mpg.

and atomic, $5000 will buy almost a year's worth of gas lol...

No, you won't EVER get used to FI. You will, every time you get behind the wheel, spin up the boost. Trust me

[bankspowered98]

It is like a drug. I promise. It will be one of the most costly addictions I have ever had once the engine decides it doesnt want me... haha

[acethedragon]

it really is addictive. a year ago when i got my new truck, i said i wouldnt do anything to it. now i have a full 3" exhaust, lt headers, 212/218 predator cam, ls2tb/tbss intake conversion, full custom tune. not even enough. getting my gt45 turbocharger tomorrow. yaaaaay

[S/C Z71]

Supercharger.

[da_vato]

I just put a whipple and noticed a MPG decrease, but too that was with the piggy back system. Soon I will have my custom tune and that should help drastically. My brother has had the F150 Harley Davidson since 03 and has found that he has better MPG then similar trucks with out a supercharger.

[S/C Z71]

Originally Posted by da_vato

I just put a whipple and noticed a MPG decrease, but too that was with the piggy back system.

Could be that heavy right foot syndrome we get with forced induction.

[turbine guy]

Turbo.
It's reclaiming waste exhaust heat. Simple physics shows that a turbo, if sized correctly, will always be more efficient than a supercharger at similar power settings. Once you get heavy into the boost, they both suck fuel in a bad way. Steady-state cruising or towing, the turbo will get better average mileage. All the smaller, high efficiency diesels are turbo'ed for a reason.
The down side is that turbos generally are more complex to install, and require clean oil. Superchargers are stone simple and generally reliable, if you buy a reputable unit.

Pure mileage? Turbo.

turbine guy

[Mkader17]

Originally Posted by turbine guy

Turbo.
It's reclaiming waste exhaust heat. Simple physics shows that a turbo, if sized correctly, will always be more efficient than a supercharger at similar power settings. Once you get heavy into the boost, they both suck fuel in a bad way. Steady-state cruising or towing, the turbo will get better average mileage. All the smaller, high efficiency diesels are turbo'ed for a reason.
The down side is that turbos generally are more complex to install, and require clean oil. Superchargers are stone simple and generally reliable, if you buy a reputable unit.

Pure mileage? Turbo.

turbine guy

Everything is correct except for the first sentence. Turbo's don't reclaim waste exhaust heat, they utilize exhaust flow.

[turbine guy]

Mkader17:
Let me re-state; Turbochargers reclaim waste exhaust energy. You are not 100% correct either. Turbos are energy conversion devices, putting this energy back into the inlet system, as pressure and heat. Yes, they are primarily flow devices, but as heat is taken out of the exhaust, that energy must be used in the total equation as well.
In the gas turbine world, we talk mass flow, and temperature, as temp represents expansion ratio. I forget to dummy down for the automotive world at times.

turbine guy

[S/C Z71]

Originally Posted by turbine guy

I forget to dummy down for the automotive world at times.

Our apologies.