Maximizing the power output of any engine is fairly basic in theory. Any engine modification that increases the amount of air and fuel flowing through an engine will increase power.
This means that when you're looking to upgrade engine performance, induction mods should be at the top of your list. Intake manifolds that flow a large volume of
well-managed air, carbs, and EFI systems are designed to not only precisely meter fuel, but also provide the least possible restriction to airflow. Superchargers that force-feed an engine all the air it can use are components with a proven, and
well-deserved, reputation for performance.
Turbos and Superchargers
A turbocharger will transform any vehicle, in extreme cases they can double the output of your engine however they generally are tuned for a 30-40% power and torque increase. In doing this they place much greater strain on all components of your engine. The trick is to gain the advantage of increased performance without unduly decreasing the life of your engine.
A turbo diesel can in fact have the equivalent top end power of a petrol engine while still benefiting from low down torque and better fuel economy.
Diesel engines by virtue of their increased structural integrity stand up particularly
well to being turbo-charged. Many diesel engines these days come factory turbocharged, however there are a large number of after-market companies who provide excellent and reliable turbo units. While this may sound like the perfect solution, the problem is the extra cost. One of the advantages of the diesel is it's good fuel economy but you may decide that the extra cost of the turbo would more than pay for the increased fuel cost.
However, before considering adding a turbo to your engine you need to ensure that your engine is in generally good order. A tired engine and a new turbo is a recipe for trouble. Reputable companies will
check the condition of your engine prior to fitting, and often provide engine reconditioning
services also if required as part of the fitting service.
Superchargers open an entirely new concept in performance since a blower stuffs the intake manifold and the combustion chambers full of a larger volume of air than is possible in a normally aspirated intake tract. With the increased amount of air, more fuel gets in the combustion chambers and more power is produced.
A turbocharger works on the principle of utilising exhaust gases which are channelled to drive a turbine wheel in an exhaust turbine housing. Connected to the turbine on a common shaft but in a separate chamber is a compressor wheel. As this compressor wheel spins it supplies clean compressed air to the engine. A turbocharger literally turns waste into work. While doing so it increases fuel efficiency and reduces exhaust emissions. Some people complain of turbo lag where there is a slight delay in power response when you put your foot down. When a turbo is matched correctly to an engine, turbo lag is minimised.
Because superchargers are driven from the engine itself via a drive belt, the "lag" is greatly reduced however it uses some of the engine power (up to %) itself to run, albeit a negligible amount.
For a more detailed discussion on this topic see our articles
Turbos and Super Chargers and Intercoolers.