Which type of Forced Induction setup for me?

Which type of Forced Induction setup for me?
This was a question asked on the Mazda MX6 forums. I responded the best I could.

CHRIS
Okay, I know this question is beat to death, but I am trying to decide which type of forced induction I want to use on my mx6. I have read as much info as I could find on the site. I am currently having my KLDE totally rebuilt with forged wiseco 8.5-1 pistons and pauter forged rods. The motor will be "new" when it is done. I am looking into a custom cam grind and I am trying to get some info before I commit to a turbo or supercharged regrind. I will be driving this car for a year or so before it gets a forced induction system put on. I am not trying to make a racecar. I don't need to run 12's in the quarter. I am building a daily driven street machine that can keep up with almost anything on the road or at least surprise someone who thought they were untouchable. I am aiming for 300whp. Right now I am dealing with a shop that specializes in turbos but I may go elsewhere for my actual F/I setup. They take too long with their work. My rebuild has taken 2 months already. I have been talking to this shop about a turbo setup that would fit my needs. It should spool by 3000rpm and give me 300+whp. He quoted me $4k for all labor, parts, and tuning. Are there any advantages to having a supercharger over a turbo? I know I will have more torque at low rpms and no turbo lag. I like the clutched
supercharger idea since you can turn off the power if you want to. Is installation any easier with a supercharger? Will my car be better off the line than a turbocharged car? Is it better or worse for my gears to supercharge? I have pretty modest horsepower expectations but I am still unsure which route is right for me. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Chris


JADED GEEK

If you are planning on rebuilding your engine with stronger internals, and lower compression, turbo is the way to go. Because your internals are stronger,and your compression is lower, you will be able to use a high amount of boost. More than a supercharger would provide.Most superchargers for our cars put out between 5 and 7 psi. That's pretty good. But high powered turbo setups can see numbers between 15 and 30 psi. Superchargers don't have any lag. They pretty much provide the full psi for the whole rpm range. And with a clutched setup, you can decided to boost or not,
perhaps saving gas, or surprising someone in a race. (Wanna race again? *click*
PSSSSSSSSSST) With a turbo, you'll have a little lag. But under smaller amounts of boost, and with modern ball-bearing tubos, it's minimal. If you run a high level of boost, it takes longer for the turbo to spin up to speed to provide that pressure, and the turbo it's self will be larger, and having more rotational mass.
But the turbo only really spools when the throttle is open wide. With a boost
gauge, you'll be able to see that when driving around town normally, you are
boosting. But at any moment, you can put your foot into it and have hundreds of horsepower waiting for you. Turbo's function better in higher rpms. So if your upgrading your valve train, and getting aggressive cams, turbo is definitely the way to go. You'll be able to rev higher and faster, and make crazy amounts of power when you climb into those upper rpms. The faster the turbo spins, the more boost it can create. So the higher you rev, the faster you go. (Generally speaking of course. Exceptions always exist.)
With careful tuning, a built engine, and a high boost turbo, you could be looking
at 300 wheel horsepower pretty easily. And probably a lot more.
Add in some traction bars, and sticky tires.....(droooools) Your car will be a
force to be reckoned with!! Even though you said don't want to run 12's, you
will be getting some very nice times. And your car will still be a pleasure
to drive around town, depending on what you do with the suspension. Remember,
some people drive around 400HP corvettes as their daily driver. You should be
fine. I hope this helps you make your decision.