TRDCorolla1
Golden Master
- Messages
- 12,592
- Location
- California
freestyler105 said:Basically, I'd like a brief explanation of the pros, cons, and legality of the following things:
- Superchargers
- Turbochargers
- Nitrous
- Cold Air Intakes
I read a little bit about all of those, I understand what they do, but I haven't gotten a good explanation of the cost, performance gains, reliability, effects on the car/engine, etc.
Superchargers/turbo cost the most ranging in the thousands to set up. Gains are most noticeable, safe for the engine to some extent (depends on your setup). I have one on now and it's great. There's tons of info. about this, but will take forever explaining. Superchargers are argued to be the safest on cars than turbo. Some can argue vice versa due to intercooling. Shrug. I just like the SC because it's instant boost right when you floor it. I have a roots blower and works off of the main drive belt so response is instant. Under normal driving load, it doesn't do much. But under full throttle, watch out. Boost.....
Nitrous, well that's cheap boost. Will it affect engine reliability? Theoretically not. With moderate doses, proper set up, and used by someone that understands the system, it should not have any adverse effects. In some cases the opposite could be argued.
But one day its inevitable your engine will break, they almost all do if you drive it like you hate it! No engine goes forever. If it has nitrous fitted it, will be blame. It may well be nothing to do with the nitrous and usually isn't.
CAI, well, that's just super duper uber safe. If not properly set up, you may get the "Check Engine Light" on at the most. Easiest to do of all the upgrades, no significant gains in HP, but does allow the car to breathe a little easier. The MAF still controls the air flow. Better to get an ECU upgrade. CAI can't be installed on it's own and expect a boost in performance. It just sounds good half the time and looks too darn good. Oh, it's dirt cheap too. Engine reliability, 100%.