Turbo or NA, which do you prefer and why?
Poll: Turbo or NA, which do you prefer and why?
Total Members Polled: 487
Discussion
TameRacingDriver said:
Following the thread about daily driver turbo cars, and noticing that some people say they prefer the way they drive compared to N/A cars got me thinking about this thread.
I normally seem to see people preferring the drive of N/A cars, stating better sounding, often revvier, better throttle response, no lag, less potential for reliability issues, easier to maintain etc.
Obviously turbo cars offer more shove so feel quicker, are easier and better tune and potentially offer better fuel economy for a given power level.
So which do you prefer and why? I must admit I generally prefer an N/A car, speed isn't everything and I feel more involved in the act of driving, as you have to work harder to go fast (more gear changes etc) and I like the noise they make (although the whoosh of a turbo is quite nice to listen to as well).
I prefer - Both!! I normally seem to see people preferring the drive of N/A cars, stating better sounding, often revvier, better throttle response, no lag, less potential for reliability issues, easier to maintain etc.
Obviously turbo cars offer more shove so feel quicker, are easier and better tune and potentially offer better fuel economy for a given power level.
So which do you prefer and why? I must admit I generally prefer an N/A car, speed isn't everything and I feel more involved in the act of driving, as you have to work harder to go fast (more gear changes etc) and I like the noise they make (although the whoosh of a turbo is quite nice to listen to as well).
Depends on the car specifically, it's use and the engine it has.
For example, if you've driven some turbo 2.0 litres, but your n/a experience is limited to 2.0 litres and maybe a gutless 2.5 V6 in a big heavy car. Then chances are the turbo motors impressed more.
If however you've driven a TVR or Corvette or something else with a properly powerful and/or grunty n/a motor, then your views may well change.
NA will always offer the best throttle control, but if the engine is too small or the power to weight to low, then na is just a chore and a gutless option. Turbocharged, more torque and a broader powerband would be far superior even with lesser throttle feel.
Both have their merits but personal preference points me to NA - Immediacy of response and the noise an NA engine can produce just can't be matched by one with a turbo, IMO.
ETA - For me, a high-revving NA engine is so much more intoxicating and emotive than something with forced induction and that is a massive part of the appeal of a car, to me.
ETA - For me, a high-revving NA engine is so much more intoxicating and emotive than something with forced induction and that is a massive part of the appeal of a car, to me.
Edited by Ferosferio on Friday 9th August 13:51
Much more exciting.t4andgreys said:
Why do people still believe modern cars and infact older ones too are "lag monsters"
Turbo for me with boost made from 2.5k all the way until 8.5k rev limit
Always take a turbo over n/a as you get the best of both worlds n/a engine when tootling round off boost then boost and power when you need it
Because some of us who have driven good V8/10/12 like having power from idle not 3x that.Turbo for me with boost made from 2.5k all the way until 8.5k rev limit
Always take a turbo over n/a as you get the best of both worlds n/a engine when tootling round off boost then boost and power when you need it
V8RX7 said:
t4andgreys said:
Why do people still believe modern cars and infact older ones too are "lag monsters"
Turbo for me with boost made from 2.5k all the way until 8.5k rev limit
Always take a turbo over n/a as you get the best of both worlds n/a engine when tootling round off boost then boost and power when you need it
Because some of us who have driven good V8/10/12 like having power from idle not 3x that.Turbo for me with boost made from 2.5k all the way until 8.5k rev limit
Always take a turbo over n/a as you get the best of both worlds n/a engine when tootling round off boost then boost and power when you need it
That said, many modern turbo cars tend to use small turbo's and higher static CR's, this is how they can boost from lower rpm, but the trade off is they typically nose over at higher rpm and simply can't handle the high revs as well and generally make lower PEAK hp because of it.
Clever setups like the Mk IV TT Supra aside.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 9th August 14:09
petrolsniffer said:
Never driven a turbo'd car so can't really comment.
Would love to own or have a proper go in one though the sensation of suddenly having the boost kick in intrigues me I'm assuming it's just like a more aggressive vvt/vtec?
Not really, it's a solid shove of torque through the meat of the rev range. Power is limited by how much air the compressor can flow rather than how high the engine can rev.Would love to own or have a proper go in one though the sensation of suddenly having the boost kick in intrigues me I'm assuming it's just like a more aggressive vvt/vtec?
I'm also concerned that there may be confusion between boost threshold and turbo lag.
Putting the car in 4th at 25 mph, nailing the throttle and not having any performance until 2500rpm (or whatever) is not lag.
Nothing against turbos really, just in the 22.5 years since I bought my first car, only one turbo has came my way, a Legacy 4CAM Turbo. All others have been N/A petrols.
The novelty of pulling away then going through 1st, 2nd and 3rd without touching the accelerator never wears off. Large n/a V8s for me please.
The novelty of pulling away then going through 1st, 2nd and 3rd without touching the accelerator never wears off. Large n/a V8s for me please.
Scuffers said:
no supercharged/compound charged option 
I didn't include it, because having owned a supercharged car once myself, it really is just like having a bigger NA engine under the bonnet IMO. So to say you prefer supercharged makes me think you lean towards the NA option. I was more interested in whether people liked the power delivery of a turbo or NA for a given power level or whatever reason they may give.
Issue with that is that there are way too many different turbo setups to then paint with the same brush...
some are horrible, some are almost imperceivable.
given the choice, I want whatever gives the most torque/power with the best throttle response/control.
(and currently that's a supercharged/turbocharged compound setup)
some are horrible, some are almost imperceivable.
given the choice, I want whatever gives the most torque/power with the best throttle response/control.
(and currently that's a supercharged/turbocharged compound setup)
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