Gas mileage Q:better/worse/same if N/A or turbo?, same size motor and HP rating Options

[Mueller]

Let's say we have 2 engines of the same model from a manufacture, same size and HP rating (let's say 2.3L with 160hp)

One is turbocharged

the other is Normally Aspirated

It seems that under normal driving conditions (just cruising on the highway) the turbocharged engine would be better since it does not have to have as aggressive camshafts or compression as the N/A motor

at WOT, both should be sucking down the same amount of fuel...or possibly the turbo would be using more fuel to enrichen the mixture since a lean condition would be more fatal????

[Mueller]

QUOTE (Andyrew @ Dec 20 2005, 02:34 PM)

One engine is like a E production engine? where its 2.0 liters and is tuned for 200hp but at much sacrifice to drivability and economy... Whereas the other is a turbo, and can be tuned for driving without the turbo.... Seems simple to me... The turbo will have better gas milage. Whenever we drive the turbo's, we get around 28mpg.. maybe more... If we get on the boost, it gets pretty crappy.. but its producing a buch of hp... so thats to be expected.... but if the engine was one of those honda twin cams.....

yea, but what if the n/a motor is not high strung and the hp level is well within reason for a streetable engine?

something like your V8....1 motor has a stock cam and small turbo to put out 250 hp

other one is n/a with just a bigger cam and head work to put out 250hp

neither motor is really stressed however it does seem the turbomotor might be able to achieve the hp at a lower rpm???