Originally Posted by
ChristiaanJ
As a non-engine freak, can I ask a rapid question?
"What's the difference between a supercharger and a turbocharger?"
As I understand it, a "supercharger" is a compressor driven from an auxiliary gearbox on the engine shaft, while a "turbocharger" or "turbosupercharger" is a compressor driven from a turbine in the engine exhaust, both feeding the compresed air back into the engine inlet manifold.
You are correct ChristiaanJ. Supercharger is mechanically driven, turbocharger is exaust driven. Turbocharger is more efficient since it does not take power from the crankshaft.