In either case, as emissions regulations continue to increase and the world demands more fuel-efficient vehicles, it’s glaringly clear turbocharged engines play a pivotal role in the future. Let’s take a closer look at naturally-aspirated engines vs turbocharged engines, so you best understand which option is better for you.

 

What Is a Naturally-Aspirated Engine?

The standard and reliable old-school V6 or V8 engines are naturally-aspirated. These engines use an air intake to pull air into the engine through a process that depends on creating a vacuum to feed air into the intake manifold of the engine as needed. The two ways to bolster airflow into a naturally-aspirated engine is to install a high-flow aftermarket air intake or to replace the stock air filter with a less restrictive one. 

Naturally-aspirated engines are extremely reliable and traditionally feature excellent low-end power for hauling and towing. This is the primary reason many full-size trucks still rely on large naturally-aspirated V8 engines.

What Is a Turbocharged Engine?
Contrary to popular belief, turbocharging isn’t a new technology. In fact, it has been around for over 100 years but has significantly evolved. While it used to be an exclusive feature on performance cars, today virtually every brand of vehicle has turbocharged options, including Ford EcoBoost and Honda Civics. How does turbocharging work? When you turbocharge an engine, you’re not changing the engine. Instead, turbocharging works to bolster the power output of the engine without necessarily altering the weight of the block. 

A turbocharge explains a type of forced induction that compresses air flowing into the engine. When this airflow is compressed, additional air will enter the cylinder, which also means more space for fuel. With more fuel and air, you’ll enjoy bigger combustions and more power for improved acceleration — in comparison to a naturally-aspirated engine.

The supercharged-engine and turbocharged-engine are really like siblings, and they should be superchargers and turbochargers vs naturally-aspirated engines. In short, superchargers are similar to air compressors. Instead of pulling the gasses from the exhaust system of the vehicle, superchargers use fresh air and compress it prior to moving it to the engine’s air intake manifold. 

Superchargers do not produce as substantial of a power gain as turbochargers can. However, superchargers do not struggle with heat issues and do not have a lag. They also work to create outstanding power delivery at much lower RPMs. One of the downsides to superchargers is that they can make an obnoxious whining noise.

Naturally-Aspirated vs Turbocharged Engine – Which Option Is Better?

Naturally-aspirated engines are typically more dependable and reliable than forced-induction types of engines or engines with superchargers or turbochargers. However, you’ll need a heavy, large and gas-guzzling engine — like a massive V8 on a pickup truck — to have a high-output, naturally-aspirated vehicle. While turbocharged engines can deliver excellent power-to-weight ratio, they do have turbo lag, which means the power is a bit slower to reach the wheels.

 

Contact Stallons Auto in Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Whether you’re considering a supercharged, turbocharged, or naturally-aspirated engine, the team at Stallons Auto Sales can help. We’re the leading used car and truck dealership in the Hopkinsville, KY area; and we’ll match you your needs to the perfect automotive solution. Contact Stallons Auto today to take a look at what the best option is for you!

In either case, as emissions regulations continue to increase and the world demands more fuel-efficient vehicles, it’s glaringly clear turbocharged engines play a pivotal role in the future. Let’s take a closer look at naturally-aspirated engines vs turbocharged engines, so you best understand which option is better for you.

 

What Is a Naturally-Aspirated Engine?

The standard and reliable old-school V6 or V8 engines are naturally-aspirated. These engines use an air intake to pull air into the engine through a process that depends on creating a vacuum to feed air into the intake manifold of the engine as needed. The two ways to bolster airflow into a naturally-aspirated engine is to install a high-flow aftermarket air intake or to replace the stock air filter with a less restrictive one. 

Naturally-aspirated engines are extremely reliable and traditionally feature excellent low-end power for hauling and towing. This is the primary reason many full-size trucks still rely on large naturally-aspirated V8 engines.

What Is a Turbocharged Engine?
Contrary to popular belief, turbocharging isn’t a new technology. In fact, it has been around for over 100 years but has significantly evolved. While it used to be an exclusive feature on performance cars, today virtually every brand of vehicle has turbocharged options, including Ford EcoBoost and Honda Civics. How does turbocharging work? When you turbocharge an engine, you’re not changing the engine. Instead, turbocharging works to bolster the power output of the engine without necessarily altering the weight of the block. 

A turbocharge explains a type of forced induction that compresses air flowing into the engine. When this airflow is compressed, additional air will enter the cylinder, which also means more space for fuel. With more fuel and air, you’ll enjoy bigger combustions and more power for improved acceleration — in comparison to a naturally-aspirated engine.

The supercharged-engine and turbocharged-engine are really like siblings, and they should be superchargers and turbochargers vs naturally-aspirated engines. In short, superchargers are similar to air compressors. Instead of pulling the gasses from the exhaust system of the vehicle, superchargers use fresh air and compress it prior to moving it to the engine’s air intake manifold. 

Superchargers do not produce as substantial of a power gain as turbochargers can. However, superchargers do not struggle with heat issues and do not have a lag. They also work to create outstanding power delivery at much lower RPMs. One of the downsides to superchargers is that they can make an obnoxious whining noise.

Naturally-Aspirated vs Turbocharged Engine – Which Option Is Better?

Naturally-aspirated engines are typically more dependable and reliable than forced-induction types of engines or engines with superchargers or turbochargers. However, you’ll need a heavy, large and gas-guzzling engine — like a massive V8 on a pickup truck — to have a high-output, naturally-aspirated vehicle. While turbocharged engines can deliver excellent power-to-weight ratio, they do have turbo lag, which means the power is a bit slower to reach the wheels.

 

Contact Stallons Auto in Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Whether you’re considering a supercharged, turbocharged, or naturally-aspirated engine, the team at Stallons Auto Sales can help. We’re the leading used car and truck dealership in the Hopkinsville, KY area; and we’ll match you your needs to the perfect automotive solution. Contact Stallons Auto today to take a look at what the best option is for you!