Turbo or NA, which do you prefer and why?

[RobM77]

N/A for me as the engine response is more predictable. Initial throttle response is the most important thing for me though, and for that it's irrelevant how the engine's aspirated. I actually drive a diesel turbo every day because I love the model of car, but the petrol engines in the range have a horrific lag on initial throttle response, which for me is far worse than the poor engine response I experience sometimes with the turbo on my car's engine.

[anonymous-user]

N/A. I tend to run older cars and a turbo is just one more thing to break.

[TurboBlue]

There should perhaps be an option to like both, I wouldn't rule a car in or out due to the possession of a turbo.

I'd say that the best cars reflect the strengths and weaknesses of whether they are N/A or Turbo

[LukeR94]

bmwdriver86 said:

There is no replacement for displacement!

A big fat whirling Turbo?

[Johnnytheboy]

Turbo.

For a similar power output engine, I like the torque and the ability to get going in low gear quickly.

Throttle response is all well and good, but if the torque isn't there, you have to change gear anyway.

No doubt someone will be along to talk about a 5 litre N/A V8 shortly.

[CB2152]

Rawwr said:

That sounds like a nightmarish vision of hell.

It wasn't ideal, but I would never normally do that speed in that gear, it was once when I forgot it was still in 2nd, should have been in 1st really.
The car was immense for overtaking at HGV speeds though...

[TheHeretic]

Well, 2 engines I had were the same power. The MR2 turbo and the G35. The engine in the MR2 was definitely more drastic. The noise, the shove. Loved it. The 3.5 V6 in the G35 was a lovely engine though. Different engines for different applications.

[Captain Muppet]

For much of the last five years my daily drivers were two 2-seat sports cars both with 160bhp. One turbo 1.6, the other NA 1.8.

I love both engines for different reasons.

At one point I had those two plus a 160bhp NA wankel, which I also loved.

[anonymous-user]

People always bang on about turbo lag, but what about Naturally Aspirated lag? NA engines lag ALL the way to the limiter......... ;-)

[pad58]

My own experience is turbo, as I would hate to drive the non turbo versions of my two vehicles, the van one is 69 hp, I can't see that coping with the hills around this way.
The T makes a big difference to overtaking lorries and alike.
Some posters might have already said (haven't read the whole thread)the joy of mapping.

[soda]

I have both, love them both. Decent sized N/A V8 and a 2.0 turbo, different characteristics but I wouldn't pick one over the other.

[RobCrezz]

Turbo, preferably with a decent displacement and high compression as well.

[Mr E]

Depends on the application.

For the family bus/cruiser a blown torquey lump suits me just fine. I have been a boost junkie in a previous life.
For the toy, NA thanks.

[Captain Muppet]

bmwdriver86 said:

There is no replacement for displacement!

Please, not this again.

[Liquid Tuna]

N/A all the way.

[Amirhussain]

Turbo all the way, nothing against NA engines at all, but if I had the choice I would go for a turbo.

[Garvin]

Mr E said:

Depends on the application.

For the family bus/cruiser a blown torquey lump suits me just fine. I have been a boost junkie in a previous life.
For the toy, NA thanks.

^^^^ This. Turbo's generally give a lot of low down torque but the turbo tends to 'muffle' the exhaust note somewhat. Modern ones have very little lag and can feel like a lazy, large displacement motor when you want them to and enable you to 'make progress' easily. NA usually have better throttle response, rev better and produce a more harmonious noise when being pushed.

I am fortunate to have both and it really is horses for courses.

[bmwdriver86]

Captain Muppet said:

Please, not this again.

I thought someone would bite

[AH33]

wow, this thread has just made me aware that ive never driven a powerful n/a car! i've subconsciously bought turbos whenever ive wanted something quick, I will have to change that next time!

[iacabu]

A close decision but down to my ownership experience of a 330ci, I'm voting N/A.