The Surbo has been around for years, and many car enthusiasts still ask the same question—does it actually work? Some claim it boosts horsepower and improves fuel consumption. Others call it a gimmick. In this post, we’ll break down what it is, how it’s supposed to work, and whether it’s really worth your money.
How Surbo Works (According to the Company)
Surbo stands for “Surge Booster”. It’s essentially a cross-jetting air vortex generator. The company claims that Surbo increases air pressure entering your throttle body. This supposedly improves the air-fuel mixture, giving your engine more power while saving fuel. It even claims to convert engine braking into forward momentum—essentially acting like an air pump.
Sounds promising, right?
Naturally Aspirated Engines
But here’s where things get a bit tricky.
In naturally aspirated (NA) engines, air enters the combustion chamber due to vacuum pressure. As the piston moves down, it sucks in air. No matter how clever the device is, the air volume still depends on the vacuum created by the engine.
So, if your engine can only pull in a fixed amount of air—say 10 units—it doesn’t matter how much air pressure a Surbo claims to create. The engine will only pull in what it’s designed to handle.
Surbo vs Turbo and Superchargers
Let’s compare this to turbocharged or supercharged engines. These use forced induction to push extra air into the combustion chamber—maybe 20 units instead of 10. That’s how they generate more power. They don’t rely on suction. Instead, they feed pressurized air directly.
This is the big difference. A Surbo is passive—it doesn’t force air in. It can’t outperform a turbo or a high-compression engine like VTEC or VVL. If Surbo truly worked, manufacturers would have adopted it by now. But they haven’t. Instead, they still invest in proven technologies like variable valve timing and forced induction.
Should You Try?
If you’re curious, you can still try it. But don’t take marketing claims at face value. Ask the seller for before-and-after dyno results. Without proof of actual performance gains, it’s hard to justify the cost.
Also, pay attention to your driving feel and fuel economy after installation. Some users report psychological improvements simply because they expect the product to work.
Final Thoughts
Surbo might sound like a miracle upgrade, but science and engine design say otherwise. For naturally aspirated engines, its impact—if any—is likely minimal. Real power gains still come from better airflow systems, proper tuning, and engine modifications.
So before you invest, do your research and demand real data.
About the Author
