Is a turbocharger and a supercharger basically the same thing? I didn't think they were that related but I was told they were. So to keep an open mind I would like to hear it from the experts. Can you guys give me some pointers maybe?

I hate asking it but......

I really don't know so flame on.

 

umm, no.

Very simply, turbo runs off exhaust gas, supercharger runs off belt drive from engine.

Now, there are several different type of superchargers. Only one is anything like a turbo...

A centrifical supercharger is what is used on the stillen maxima kit. It is basicly the compressor from a turbo connected to a belt drive. That is likely where the not so knowledgable person you got your info from got his info from.

The only thing the other types of superchargers have in common with a turbo is they compress air.

Search turbochargers and superchargers on howstuffworks.com. You can get more info there.

 

Better yet, read the stickys at the top of the page.

 

google is your friend

 

But, yes they both add pressurized air to the intake (similar) One blower is pushed off exhaust and the other is pushed by a pulley. Both adding forced induction into the intake.

 

a turbo is a type of supercharger.

 

also the turbo charger gives you free power and you have to pay with some superchargers

like the mercedes(the high end one made by mclaren) you need i think it was 80 hp just to make it work but you got 600 in the end...