Turbocharger
What is it?
A Turbocharger is another form of Supercharger. As a whole Superchargers and Turbochargers are devices built to increase your engines performance by a hefty amount.
A Turbocharger is the more commonly used device but unlike the Supercharger its powered from the exhaust gases rather than the engines pulleys.
How do Turbochargers work then?
Turbochargers or Turbos as they are known for short work by sucking the used exhaust gases out of the engine at the manifold. It then sucks the gases into a turbine which spins it up and throws it back into the engine at an extremeley high pressure causing an even bigger explosion inside the engine. They are usually mounted onto the inlet manifold and have a sealed pipe from the exhaust manifold to pass the gases back through.
What are the advantages of having a Turbocharger on my ride?
Other than the previously mentioned power increase Turbochargers have a tendancy to make a nice sound, especially when hooked up with a Dump Valve. A nice big, shiny turbo will also earn you brownie points at crusies and shows too!
What are the disadvantages of having a Turbocharger on my ride?
Other than being a bit of a fuel guzzler, Turbo'd engines have a tnedancy to run hotter than naturally aspirated engines. Thats usually where Intercoolers come in as heat is a natural power sapper.
A cooling off period and heating up period is usually recommended on high performance turbo engines too but if youve gone to the effort of doing this you should have invested in a Turbo Timer by now!
What is the Legality of having a Turbocharger on my ride?
Fully road legal as far as were concerned. The only way it can be classed as dangerous is if it can cause physical harm to other road users
So can i just buy a Turbocharger and bolt it on??
No, not quite. In fact there is a lot more to it than just bolting a proper Turbo kit on to your ride. Its usually advised to uprate your pistons and the rest of the inner parts of your engine to allow the pressure to cope. You will of course also need a new manifold for your engine too.
HINT!!!
There are a few kits available on the market that specialise in low pressure Turbo kits for naturally aspirated engines. These all but fit straight onto your ride. If you are interested then why not try a Van Aaken kit for size(www.vanaaken.com)