Forced Induction Vs Na In The Heat Which Suffers More

[NISSAN GTR]

I keep having the same argument at work , i have always been under the impression Turbos work better in cool moist air conditions due to the density of the air rather than hot dry .

My colleagues are firm believers a NA engine will lose greater power Vs a turbocharged engine in the heat .

So hypothetically if you had two cars one Normally Aspirated one Forced Induction both with the same horsepower same weight , the NA will lose in a drag in hot weather .

I tried reading this - Thermodynamics NA vs Turbocharged , http://www.academia.edu/3407176/Turbocharged_Engines

Any truth in this ?

Edited October 18, 2013 by NISSAN GTR

[Missileman]

the one with the most efficient intercooler

[zoomzoom]

A trick question isn't it if you say they have the same horsepower?

Shouldn't you be comparing the power output of either engine and changing the variable of air temperature?

[Ben C34]

I'm all for hypotheticals, but this seems pointless way to many variables.

[Missileman]

http://www.engineersedge.com/thermodynamics.htm

paragraph 2

[Ben C34]

http://www.engineersedge.com/thermodynamics.htm

paragraph 2

What?

[Missileman]

basically how well a compressor works, or energy lost through compression of a gas from excess work

[Deza3000]

Only a 2 week old turbo charged car owner, but isnt the compressed gases from the turbo blazing hot anyway? Hence why there is an intercooler? And wouldnt the airflow meter have some sort of influence on how much harder the turbo would work on a hot day compared to a cold to generate similar power levels? Just taking a shot here =p

[Dan_J]

^when sucking in air on a cold morning you will have more power/response feeling compared to a hot day

cold air is denser where as hot air is expanded so less is consumed

[GTSBoy]

In my experience, Nissans turbos that do not have an inlet air temperature sensor actually go harder when it is hot because they get closer to the detonation threshold. The ECU has no way of advancing the ignition to take advantage of the cooler air in cold weather.

It may just be a placebo effect, but I'm fairly convinced. It has seemed that way to me with both my RB20 and my 25 Neo, and it has also seemed that way in other Nissans I've driven across widely different weather conditions. BUT, it did not seem that way in an SR20 turbo I drove for a while. And of course, they have an IAT sensor.