These days, diesel engines feature incredible technology when it comes to promoting good fuel economy, high power density and excellent drivability. If you have been contemplating on improving your vehicle’s performance and power, then upgrading your turbocharger to a better or larger model is the best way to go.
Before you decide to get that td42 turbo upgrade, do not forget to carefully the pros and cons of getting one. So, make sure you read this guide so you will get all the information you need to learn about a turbocharger upgrade, including the reasons for getting one as well as what you can expect from it. You also have to learn the details you should consider to ensure that the upgrade process will be completed efficiently.
Turbocharger Explained
Of course, before you get the upgrade, you have to understand what a turbocharger is and how it works Basically, it is a forced induction device functions to add more fuel to be added to an engine by pushing more air into the combustion chamber. The engine’s exhaust gases provide power to the turbocharger. Gases coming from the exhaust drive a turbine, consequently powering a compressor/air pump. Turbochargers are suitable for diesel powered automotive as well as aviation, marine, machinery and plant applications. They allow the engine to run more efficiently and to produce more power.
How Turbochargers Work
Turbochargers function to add more density to the air pushed into every cylinder of the engine. This process is also referred to as enhancing volumetric efficiency. The great thing about pushing more air into the combustion chamber is the fact that more fuel can also be proportionally added. Consequently, the explosions from every cylinder will generate more power. This process enhances the engine’s power to weight ration. In turn, it becomes a more powerful and more efficient engine as compared to one that is not turbocharged or naturally aspirated.
How a Turbocharger Differs from a Supercharger
As we’ve explained earlier, turbochargers use exhaust gases to drive the engine. On the other hand, a supercharger uses a belt connected to the crankshaft to mechanically drive the engine. There are advantages to both devices. For instance, turbochargers typically perform more efficiently compared to superchargers. Alternatively, the latter responds faster than the former.
Why Should you Upgrade your Turbocharger
Perhaps, you’ve been contemplating on whether you should get that td42 turbo upgrade. Well, you will be delighted to know that there are several good reasons why you should consider upgrading your engine’s turbocharger. The benefits include:
- Better Driving Experience—For some, enhancing the performance of a vehicle is a great way to personalise it, making the daily drive a more fun experience. There are people who find satisfaction in getting upgrades that push them back into their seat once the light turns green.
- Improved Specs for Competitions—Racing enthusiasts are inclined to upgrading their vehicle’s turbocharger for competition use. Doing so will enhance the vehicle’s straight-line speed and responsiveness.
- Enhanced Towing Performance—One of the practical benefits of upgrading your turbocharger is providing your vehicle with a stronger pulling power. This is especially useful if you perform a lot of caravanning or towing.
When Should you Upgrade your Turbocharger
As we all know, the amount of fuel that is injected into every cylinder is proportional to the amount of power an engine produces. The turbocharger compresses the air, pushing more fuel into each cylinder. Keep in mind that the maximum airflow a turbocharger can deliver also determines its maximum performance. It is true that there’s some allowance in the inbuilt capacity of most stock turbochargers. However, they too will eventually reach their limit.
When you make modifications like improvements in air intake and exhaust as well as performance remaps, the turbocharger would have to perform harder to be able to provide an equal amount of boost. When a turbocharger reaches the limit of its power, it begins to lose durability and efficiency. At the same time, the air temperature in the engine and the turbo begins to increase, consequently throttling and damaging the performance.
Essentially, the moment you start making modifications to your engine, you should also get a turbocharger upgrade that can withstand the increased fuel injection in your engine. You will know if your turbocharger is not keeping up with the engine by observing the exhaust. When driving at high speeds and see that smoke is constantly coming out from the pipe, it means that it is time to get a turbo upgrade.
Selecting the Ideal Turbocharger
If you are a car enthusiast, you know that selecting the ideal turbo upgrade is a tedious task that requires extensive research. The first thing you have to do is to determine what you want to achieve with the upgrade. Create a realistic goal for the power and make sure that it is appropriate for your engine’s size. Keep in mind that at some point, you have to compromise the reliability, efficiency and usability of your engine when you make improvements to the horsepower. So, it is important that you consider what you want to use your vehicle for.
After setting your goals and expectations, you have to do some math. You will be able to determine the size of your turbocharger by calculating the mass and volume of air moving through the engine. Doing so will ensure that you determine the right turbocharger size that is capable of moving a particular amount of air inside the engine. This step may seem daunting, but you will be relieved to know that there are plenty of resources you can find online. You will discover useful equations that will help you get the information you need. If the aforementioned step is too tedious for you, then your best bet is to find a fuel injection specialist who can help you understand the complicated world of volumetric efficiency and compressor map reading.
Once you have determined the ideal turbocharger size for your performance and engine goals, all you have to do is choose the right model and make. Always remember that you will find cheaper turbo imitations that perform poorly in terms of quality. Needless to say, your best and more cost effective choice is a reputable manufacturer that offers high-quality turbochargers.
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