Originally Posted by
Jim Robinson
Isn't that called a supercharger in a car? As opposed to the turbocharger, which I think would be on the flue side of the fireplace. I was never much of a mechanic.
A supercharger is driven by the engine, taking power from the engine, of course, though, it helps generate much more power than it robs. A supercharger is 'always on' when the engine is running, as soon as the engine is running. Floor a supercharged car and your are off.
A turbocharger is typically (always?) driven by the exhaust gases, thereby taking much less power from the engine. A turbocharger needs to 'spool up' to speed before it can do any good. Floor a turbocharge car and you are off and gaining as the engine spools up in rpm.
Both the supercharger and turbocharger has "waste gates" which release excess pressure (boost) so you don't blow the engine apart. Not that a supercharger or turbocharger can 'blow the engine apart' on their pressure, but the extra air they force in also allows/forces in more fuel, which is what makes the engine blow apart if the boost (pressure) is too high - allows too much fuel in.