| Many drivers who are looking to add an extra | | | | unsettle a car and be a handful for amateur |
| dose of performance to their car decide that | | | | drivers unused to this type of power delivery. In |
| installing a turbocharger is the best and most | | | | some cases, it is possible to fight lag by using a |
| cost-effective route to take. Dollar for dollar, | | | | nitrous system as a bridge between low-rev |
| there are few other engine modifications which | | | | driving and peak boost. Larger turbos also |
| can offer the same impressive horsepower gains | | | | generate far more heat than their smaller cousins, |
| as a turbo kit. For those interested in maximizing | | | | and they often require the use of an intercooler in |
| their engine output, an entire universe of turbo | | | | order to keep air charge temperatures down, as |
| tuning awaits drivers with deep pockets, deeper | | | | well as creative hood venting and air intake |
| reserves of patience and a willingness to | | | | installations to reduce engine heat in general. |
| experiment with different setups until the desired | | | | On the street, most drivers prefer smooth |
| results are achieved. | | | | power delivery that comes on during the rpm |
| In practice, the art of matching the correct type | | | | range that they are most accustomed to driving |
| of turbo kit to a specific vehicle depends on a | | | | within. Peak power is far less useful to street |
| number of factors. One of the most important | | | | drivers than reliable and regular boost that is |
| considerations to make when selecting a turbo kit | | | | available without having to run the engine up into |
| is what type of driving the vehicle will most often | | | | the high rpm range. Smaller turbos may generate |
| encounter. It is important to match boost delivery | | | | less power on a dyno, but on the street the |
| characteristics with the driving situation that the | | | | horsepower that they do offer is much more |
| car is intended for. In particular, managing turbo | | | | usable. In addition, the reduced heat and lower |
| lag is key to getting the most predictable | | | | rpm's associated with the use of a smaller turbo |
| response out of a turbo setup. | | | | extend engine life. For anything from stoplight |
| On a race track or drag strip where it is often | | | | drag races to spirited canyon carving, small turbos |
| easier to keep a car in a specific power band and | | | | offer the type of throttle response that can |
| low engine speeds are not an issue, a larger turbo | | | | radically transform a vehicle's driving |
| is usually preferable. Large turbochargers can flow | | | | characteristics. |
| more air than smaller units, allowing them to | | | | Choosing which turbo kit is right for you is a bit |
| generate much more power. This higher peak | | | | more complicated than just picking a target peak |
| power does come with a couple of trade-offs, | | | | horsepower number and ordering the parts. |
| however, and the most noticeable of which is | | | | Consulting with an experienced performance shop |
| significant turbo lag. The bigger a turbo is, the | | | | is the best way to determine exactly what type |
| more abruptly maximum boost can arrive, which | | | | of turbo setup will put the biggest smile on your |
| can lead to an 'on / off switch' feeling at higher | | | | face when you put your foot to the floor in your |
| RPM's. This type of sudden power surge can | | | | modified car. |