How Much HP Does a Turbo or Supercharger Add?

We all know that horsepower (HP) is responsible for providing power to our vehicles’ engines. But it is said that vehicles’ turbo and supercharger features add even more HP to the engines. So how much HP does a turbo or supercharger add?

A turbo can boost an engine’s HP by about 70 to 150 HP or 30 to 40%. At the same time, a supercharger can provide an extra 50 to 100 HP, about 46%. A turbocharger works with the exhaust system, while a supercharger directly works with the engine.

Read on to learn more about the impact of the turbocharger, the twin turbocharger, and the supercharger on the engine’s horsepower.

How Much HP Does a Turbo or Supercharger Add?

how much hp does a turbo or supercharger add

A supercharger can provide an extra 50 to 100 HP to the engine’s HP, about 46%. In contrast, a turbo can offer an additional 70 to 150 HP, about 30 to 40% extra HP. A supercharger directly works with the engine, while a turbocharger works with the exhaust system.

To understand this better, let’s also discuss the difference between a turbo and a supercharger.

Difference Between Turbocharger vs. Supercharger

A supercharger is a term that refers to an air compressor that is responsible for increasing the density or pressure of air entering an engine.

This then provides more oxygen needed for fuel burning. The first superchargers released were driven by power from the crankshaft, generally by chain, belt, or gear.

The turbocharger is the term that refers to a supercharger driven by power coming from a turbine in the exhaust system. The first turbochargers were released in 1915 and were referred to as turbosuperchargers.

They were installed in radial aircraft engines to increase their power in the thinner air caused by higher altitudes. The term turbosupercharger was shortened to a turbocharger. Now, it is commonly called turbo.

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How Much HP Does a Supercharger Add

Adds About 30 to 50% HP

In most estimates, it is said that a supercharger adds about 30 to 50% HP over an engine’s original output. However, a supercharger somehow saps some of the car’s efficiency. So it is safe to say that, on average, a supercharger boosts the engine’s power by an extra 46%.

Increase Depends on the Amount of Original HP

A supercharger increases an engine’s HP, not at a flat rate. Instead, the increase depends on the amount of original HP that an engine has. This is why manufacturers report their engine’s estimated performance in terms of a range. 

Boosts the Air Pressure That Enters the Engine

To further explain this, a supercharger boosts the air pressure that enters the engine, making it more than just atmospheric pressure. At sea level, atmospheric pressure is about 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi).

More Air Means More Fuel Can Mix with the Air

With a supercharger, there is an increase of about 6 to 9 psi. This boosts the air consumption of the engine by approximately 50%.

When more air enters the engine, more fuel can mix with the air. More power is produced once the compressed air and fuel mixture ignite during a normal combustion cycle.

Pros and Cons of Supercharger

Superchargers may be older than the turbo, but the former was launched only a few years before the latter:

Pros

Having a supercharged engine has several advantages, which include the following:

  1. No Lag
  2. Low Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Boost 
  3. Low Price
  4. Increased Horsepower (HP)

1. No Lag

A supercharger does not lag and can deliver power consistently. There is an immediate power delivery because the supercharger works with the engine’s crankshaft.

2. Low Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) Boost 

At a low RPM, a supercharger can provide impressive power.

3. Low Price

Getting a supercharger is recommended to increase your engine’s HP without spending too much. Superchargers boast of their cost-effectiveness.

4. Increased Horsepower (HP)

Undoubtedly, a supercharger is fast and efficient in boosting your vehicle’s engine power.

Cons

There are also some disadvantages to using a supercharged engine if there are advantages. They are as follows:

  1. Lacks Reliability
  2. Less Efficient

1. Lacks Reliability

Forced induction systems make engine internals exposed to higher pressure and temperature. This, unfortunately, may harm the lifespan of the engine.

2. Less Efficient

Superchargers are said to be less efficient compared to turbos. This is because superchargers work directly with engine power. In other words, superchargers sap engine power to boost engine power.

How Much HP Does a Turbo Add

Increase by 70 to 150 HP

With a turbo, an engine’s horsepower can increase by 70 to 150 HP, about 30 to 40%. Like the supercharger, it is hard to give an exact number of additional HP that a turbo provides.

Turbo’s Efficiency Depends on the Features and Upgrades of a Vehicle

This is because the efficiency of a turbo depends on the features and upgrades of a vehicle. However, in general, the increase is about 30 to 40%.

If you have upgraded your vehicle’s injection system, it is possible to have an extra boost of 100% with a turbo. If there is an upgrade in the exhaust system, a turbo boost can be about 70 to 150 HP.

It is possible to make other upgrades in your vehicle that will boost the HP even more with the help of a turbo. For instance, Volkswagen has released units with an upgraded TDI diesel engine. They offer a range of options, including an extra power boost of about 74 to 158 HP.

Turbo Pros and Cons

how much hp does a supercharger add

Pros

Using a turbo engine for your vehicle has quite a lot of advantages. They include the following:

  1. Improved Torque for Both Diesel and Petrol Engines
  2. Better Air – Fuel Mixture
  3. Enhanced Overall Performance

1. Improved Torque for Both Diesel and Petrol Engines

In the case of diesel engines, a turbo provides an improved torque at low RPM. Whereas, in the case of petrol engines, it is improved over a whole speed range.

2. Better Air – Fuel Mixture

A turbo provides improved air and fuel mixture specifically for petrol engines. This then results in efficient pollution control.

3. Enhanced Overall Performance

Having a turbo engine helps enhance the overall performance of the vehicle. You will notice the engine to be running consistently smooth and quiet.

The engine starts well, even in cold temperatures. There is less smoke when it comes to low-speed acceleration. It minimizes diesel knock. And, lastly, it improves the HP for both diesel and petrol engines.

Cons

There are, however, several disadvantages to having a vehicle with a turbo engine. They include the following:

  1. Needs a Better Cooling System
  2. Costly
  3. Gets Easily Worn Out

1. Needs a Better Cooling System

It seems that the turbo requires a better cooling system. This way, it can work more efficiently.

2. Costly

Sadly, using a turbo engine is not as cost-effective as using a supercharger. The way a turbo is designed makes it more expensive, not to mention more complicated.

3. Gets Easily Worn Out

While a turbo is durable and dependable, it gets worn out faster than a supercharger. 

Again, how much hp does a turbo or supercharger add? A turbocharger can add 70 to 150 horsepower (hp) by working with your car’s exhaust system. In contrast, a supercharger can add 50 to 100 horsepower (hp), given that it is connected to the engine intake.

How Much HP Does a Twin Turbo Add

The extra HP it can provide ranges between 40 and 650 HP for the twin-turbo engine. This is an increase of about 20 to 60%.

Like the turbo and supercharger, the twin-turbos efficiency depends on the engine’s original power. Also, it depends on how the other parts of the car are installed and optimized.

When we say twin-turbo, this refers to an engine with two turbochargers aiming to conduct optimal work with air compression. This type of engine also helps produce power more quickly with four cylinders. The eight cylinders must work together with a single turbo to achieve an optimal boost.

Frequently Asked Questions – Does a Supercharger Give More HP than a Turbo?

how much horsepower does a supercharger add to a v8

Here are some frequently asked questions about the added HP provided by turbos and superchargers:

Does a Supercharger Give More HP than a Turbo?

A supercharger boosts an engine with a higher HP. It then increases a vehicle’s overall performance and improves the engine’s overall operating range. A turbo is powered by hot exhaust gas. This results in a short lag time which starts when the throttle is opened by pressing the gas pedal down.

How Much HP Do Turbos Add?

A turbo can boost an engine’s HP by about 70 to 150 HP. That is approximately a 30 to 40% increase.

How Much HP Does a Supercharger Get You?

Connecting a supercharger to your engine will add about 50 to 100 HP to the original HP. On the contrary, a turbo can add about 70 to 150 HP.

Which Is Faster, Turbo or Supercharger?

A supercharger significantly increases the HP more than a turbo. It is a great solution to increase power in huge displacement engines featuring more cylinders. Also, power does not lag like how it occurs with a turbo.

How Much HP Does a Twin Turbo Add to a 4 Cylinder?

A twin-turbo can add about 100 to 250 HP to your vehicle’s engine. Indeed, it is a unique approach to boosting engine power and speed. It brings out your engine’s best performance in a cost-effective way.

How Much HP Does a Twin Turbo Add to a V8?

If your V8 engine is equipped with a twin-turbo, expect an additional HP of about 70 to 150 HP. A turbo works with the exhaust engine.

Will Adding a Supercharger Hurt My Engine?

If a supercharger is overcharged, it can damage the engine due to the hot air. Superchargers use air to boost power so that the engine can get damaged.

Can a Car Be Twin Turbo and Supercharged?

A car can have a twin turbo and a supercharger. Racing cars use this approach, boosting the power at the low and high RPM bands.

Is Twin Turbo Better than Supercharger?

A supercharger is better than a twin-turbo as the former is more useful both on the street and when racing. While a twin-turbo can give you increased power, there seems to be a delay in delivering power.

How Much Does It Cost to Turbo a Car?

The cost of adding a turbo into your car depends on several factors. These include the model of your car, the way you will use your car, and all other resources available to you.

The overall cost will most likely range between $500 and $5,000. If you plan to spend a big amount on this, make sure that it will be done to the highest quality.

How Does a Supercharger Work?

A supercharger increases intake using air compression. Here, the air is above atmospheric pressure and does not create a vacuum. This approach forces more air into the engine, providing a boost. The additional air helps in adding more fuel to the charge. This then results in increased engine power.

How Does a Turbo Work?

With turbocharging, the exhaust gas is used for driving a turbine. This approach efficiently spins an air compressor that forces added air and oxygen into the cylinders. With this, more fuel is burnt per second. This explains why a turbocharger vehicle can deliver more power.

How Does a Twin Turbo Work?

Series twin-turbo engines feature turbochargers set up in a series or sequence. The second turbocharger further compresses the output of the first turbocharger. This results in a serious pressure buildup and an impressive increase in engine power.

Is Single Turbo Better than Twin Turbo?

A single turbo is best for boosting the HP as its powerband is broader than a twin-turbo setup. The steam on the top end does not run out too. A single turbo may build boost slower, but this approach makes it efficient even for drag cars with high HP to hook up from a dig.

Do Supercharged Cars Run Hot?

Yes. Supercharged vehicles run hot. As for turbocharged vehicles, they run far hotter but produce impressive power.

Can You Supercharge a V8 Engine?

If you supercharge a V8 engine, your car will run at its peak performance below 6,000 RPM. Supercharging has advantages in terms of cost and reliability compared to turbocharging.

Can You Put 2 Superchargers on a Car?

Yes, a car can be equipped with two superchargers. It is also possible to equip a car with two turbos. There are also cars with one supercharger and one turbo. Each of these sets up delivers a different engine performance.

Do Superchargers Have Lag?

Superchargers have no lag since the air pump is directly connected to the engine’s crankshaft. It is constantly spinning and, at the same time, instantly responsive.

Can I Turbo a Stock Engine?

Initially, you can significantly boost the HP of your stock engine using tuning. Eventually, you may be able to use a turbo system for your stock engine. This will significantly boost the potential of your engine.

How Long Does a Turbo Last?

Turbos can last for about 150,000 miles. Suffice to say that it is designed to shorten its lifespan as long as your vehicle’s. But, of course, it is also possible for turbos to wear in the long run. It all depends on your driving habits and the turbo quality installed in your car.

How Hard Is It to Install a Supercharger?

In most cases, superchargers come in a kit when bought. The kit consists of all the necessary hoses. While the installation of superchargers is not that hard, the components are expected not to go in quickly. You might need to exert some gentle force to get the job done. But if you are in doubt, you can always bring your car to a professional mechanic.

How Much Is a Supercharger Kit?

The cost of a supercharger kit ranges between $1500 and $7500. It all depends on your vehicle’s engine type.

Does Twin Turbo Make a Car Faster?

Your engine has two turbochargers that optimally work with air compression with a twin-turbo. This setup reduces lag and delivers power faster with four cylinders. Whereas, with a single turbo, all eight cylinders must work to achieve an optimal boost.

Can You Supercharge Any Car?

Yes. It is possible to supercharge any car engine like you can turbocharge any car engine. But it is essential to know that you can also choose to install an aftermarket supercharger system on a vehicle.

In Closing: How Much HP Does a Turbo or Supercharger Add?

A supercharger can deliver an extra 50 to 100 HP to the engine’s HP, about 46%. A turbo can provide an additional 70 to 150 HP, about 30 to 40% extra HP.

A supercharger directly works with the engine, whereas a turbocharger works with the exhaust system.

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