Re: A Dumb Question

And..."superchargers" can not adjust for changes in altitude as they are direct-driven by the engine. Turbochargers can, as the harder you work the engine, the more exhaust gases generated to spin the "turbine", and delivering more air (Alco's, GE's) Some EMD diesels that are tubocharged, are connected to the camshaft up to the eight notch before "free-wheeling, in essence they act as a turbo-supercharger in lower rpm ranges. Engine technology has advanced so that free wheeling turbochargers don't smoke, as the throttle is advanced only at a rate that the turbocharger can keep up with. Early turbocharged engines would smoke heavily, because the turbocharger would have to "catch-up" or "spool-up" with the amount of exhaust being produced.