seasalt
Bronze Member
we should get something clear. turbos are fit to smaller displacement engines to produce more power at higher rpms. in so doing they consume more fuel as the inlet air density is increased (much like a high compression engine). the fuel to air ratio is constant, you just have more air so the engine injects more fuel - hence more hp but it is delivered in a range you might not expect (higher). it has been incorectly suggested that 1.) turbos are as reliable as non turbos, 2.) turbos will outlast a non turbo because they are not working as hard. these are flat out false statements and no one should be led astray. a turbo is a complex high speed compressor that has head issues both from the exhaust that drives it and from the fact compressed air gets hot due to increased molecular activity. there is nothing about a 10,000 RPM device bolted to your lower displacement engine that will cause it to work less or be more dependable. that baby is smoking to crank out the hp. it will fail first, and it will cause you more headaches on maintenance than a non turbo. to say otherwise is not only mechanically counterintuitive but just plain false. look under the hood of your turbo and tell me how the serviceablility has changed due to the added plumbing. then consider the added heat running through that plumbing. then consider the fact you are breathing fire through that smaller displacement engine to make it stand up and run. this is not a fuel cooler, you are adding highly sophisticated, complex and expensive gear when you go turbo so you can expect proportionate lessening of the life and low end hp the same as would normally be found on a similar engine of lower displacement, UNTIL the turbo kicks in and then you will get a power curve shift as the boost responds - but only in the range where the turbo is active, otherwise you have the smaller engine as it would normally perform. just wanted to make that clear. if you want or need a turbo and want to futz with it and take the hit on engine life and turbo failure risk, do so with the blessings of all. if you dont understand turbos I reccommend you stay away. there is no such thing as free horsepower. everything comes at a cost.