Originally Posted by Zaggeron

I really don't understand why you think that given 2 engines both of the same displacement and HP, the one with the turbo is better? If the HP and torque curves are similar and they have the same torque and HP, their performance will be similar. Turbo doesn't give one an edge above and beyond the torque and HP it adds and if two engines are already the same with respect to those figures, turbo don't mean squat. In addition, the 2.0T is almost 3300 lbs. Much heavier than the worst case scenario for the FT

Also, tuning potential is independent of turbo vs. NA -- a turbo motor doesn't intrinsically have a better tuning potential -- the turbo may be already be at its highest reliable boost, the NA may be detuned for economy reasons. There are lots of factors involved. That said, the NA has the advantage all other things being equal since you can always turbo it and pop it past the other turbo motor in terms of HP and torque.