What is a Turbocharger?
A
turbocharger, more commonly referred to as a turbo, is a type of forced induction system. A turbo charger is an efficient way to boost the power and torque of an engine,
particularly at higher RPM's. A turbo can be divided into two basic parts; a turbine and a compressor. The turbine is driven off of the engines exhaust gas flow and is spun
at incredibly high speeds. The average turbocharger found in a modern production vehicle spins at 80,000-120,000 RPM. Turbochargers that are developed for racing applications
can spin even faster. The turbine is connected to a compressor wheel, which compresses (charges) air for the combustion cycle. This charged air is referred to as boost and
typically measured in PSI, although measuring in Bar increments is also quite common. Compressed air is more dense, which means the engine can add more fuel to the air-fuel
mixture, resulting in a more powerful combustion mixture. The highest levels of boost are typically attained at high RPM levels because this is when exhaust gas is flowing
the fastest from the engine.
The Diesel Engine Turbo
The popularity of diesel engines has grown in recent years, particularly due to their improved fuel efficiency and improved emissions systems. For many manufacturers, diesel
engines are an ideal choice for adding a forced induction system. Diesel engines typically produce lower horsepower numbers than a similarly sized gasoline engine, but they
create a lot more torque. The higher torque output allows the vehicle to get up to speed quickly, where the engine can then take advantage of turbo boost to increase horsepower
and acceleration. The synergy of a diesel engine and a turbocharger creates a vehicle that is both fuel efficient and powerful enough to use in daily life.
Turbo diesels are a very popular engine choice for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The high levels of torque are ideal for towing and diesel engines typically run cooler than
gasoline engines, which helps reduce wear and tear, prolonging the life of the engine. The turbochargers found in diesel trucks are usually very large, a necessary choice for
an engine that has eight or more cylinders. This allows them to build a lot of boost, increasing horsepower as much as 35-40%.
Turbo Kits
Turbo kits can be purchased to either replace a worn out turbocharger or to add a forced induction system to a non-turbocharged vehicle. If you have a turbocharged vehicle
and the turbo has worn out, you can replace it with a factory spec turbocharger or you can upgrade to a larger turbocharger if more performance is desired. Extra care should
be taken if you are adding a turbocharger to a naturally aspirated engine; high levels of boost and improper tuning can lead to engine detonation and turbo knock. And always be sure to get high quality
turbo gaskets,
turbo hoses, and
turbo mounting bolts
Common Turbocharger Components
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