Why Should I Turbocharge?
Why turbocharge? What’s so special? These are common questions asked by those who have never experienced the power of a Turbocharger. Back in the 1980s almost all of the world’s Formula One race teams had turbos fitted for one major purpose, a higher increase in power output from a much lighter and reduced sized engine, controlled by the ratio of air to fuel.
Not only do turbos offer more power and speed for a vehicle, they also increase economy and often handling too due to the reduced weight of the turbocharged engine over a conventional naturally aspirated engine. A turbocharger provides fantastic overall responses including reliable reserves of power when you need it. Don’t believe us? We can prove it with a brand-new hybrid turbocharger, find yours on our webshop today.
In the early years when diesel engines were introduced, there has always been a certain demand for smaller engines which are more than capable of producing useable power. However, this does not bode well with the present environmental issues that are currently occurring such as lead pollution etc., however by installing a turbocharger, you can dramatically assist in the decrease of vehicle pollution and play a major part in being greener.
A naturally aspirated engine, under normal circumstances will increase its engine power output by 30% when the right turbocharger is installed, basically, it’s the exact same size engine giving more power due to an increased flow of air and fuel. Back when turbochargers were fairly new, it was vastly common practise to install a turbo to a naturally aspirated engine.
Still wondering why to turbocharge? Well feel free to contact a member of our technical team who will be more than happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Turbocharger vs Supercharger?
What is a supercharger?
Simply, a supercharger is connected to the engine with a belt from the engine’s crankshaft. Its pulley, which is what makes the supercharger spin, forcing air into the engine spins only when the engine spins. What determines the boost pressure comes down to how large or small the pulley is. The smaller it is, the more boost the engine will receive, however, this has its down sides. The supercharger is vastly limited by its efficiency, as the engine drives the supercharger it needs to use horsepower to make further horsepower.
What is a Turbocharger?
Turbochargers are similar to a Supercharger but far more efficient and its boost output is not determined by the engine but by the vehicles exhaust gases. The exhaust gases run through the turbine housing causing the compressor wheel to force compressed air into the engine. This means your engine is not working nearly as hard as a supercharged engine.
A question that is commonly asked in the current Aftermarket is “I’m looking to boost my engine do I supercharge or turbocharge”? This is not always a simple question to answer, but we can take a look at certain critical features that shows how the turbocharger is the most economic power enhancement ever to be installed on your vehicle’s engine.
Turbocharger Durability
Firstly, turbos are far more durable with a turbocharger having just has one moving part, the core rotating assembly. A Supercharger has pulley’s, belts or even a geared transmission, making the turbocharger a far simpler system with fewer things to go wrong.
Turbocharger Efficiency
A Supercharger has high parasitic drag due to the power originating from the crankshaft however turbochargers use energy that is otherwise wasted through the tailpipe. Currently Garrett’s state of art compressor and turbine aerodynamics push the technological boundary flow range and stage efficiency.
Turbocharger Versatility
Want to push the limits whether your specific goal is a mild street application or full blown drag racer, a turbocharger is equally appropriate. A correctly matched turbo can provide superb response and the ability to run boost levels most dream of.
Turbo so called lag
Modern GT-series high-flow wheels are smaller than ever to reduce inertia and in combination with the ball bearing system give throttle response that has to be driven to be believed. Additionally, a turbos smaller and more compact package allows for greater flexibility in installation locations.