Archive for the ‘Cars’ Category
August 20th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Justina Mathews asked:
For quite some time, the only way that engine designers knew how to make power was by adding displacement. The bigger the engine, the more power it could make. While this type of design was acceptable in the 50s and 60s, as technology moved on and fuel became more expensive, it became clear that smaller motors could be made to develop healthy power too.
There are plenty of imports out there with 4-cylinder motors in the 2 liter range. If you have one of these engines, then you know that while it might be fun to drive it in the higher rpm range, it does not have a lot of grunt down low, and it tends to run out breath pretty quickly in top gear. You might have seen some sporty-looking compacts zoom by you on the highway and heard a distinctive “pssh pssh” sound when they shifted gears. That is the sound of a turbos blow-off valve. A what?
A turbocharger is a device that crams more air into your engine by compressing it as much as possible. A quick lesson on how engines make power: they take air and fuel, combine them together, and then ignite that mixture to create an explosion that turns your cars crankshaft. This generates horsepower. Now, if you can figure out a way to get more oxygen into that mixture before the spark plug fires, then you can add an extra amount of gasoline and create an even more powerful explosion. Thats what a turbocharger does, through compressing air so that it contains more oxygen per cubic foot than the air around us in the atmosphere.
In order to do all of this compressing, a turbo has to spin pretty fast actually, really fast. Most turbos spin above 20,000 rpm, and this allows the blades inside the device to compress air incredibly quickly. Turbochargers are really efficient devices, as they are driven by the exhaust gases of the engine itself. These gases exit the engine at great speed, and this speed is translated into the high rpms of the turbo itself.
However, this design is also the source of one of a turbochargers greatest downsides turbo lag. Since an engine running at a low speed does not produce a significant amount of exhaust, when you mash the gas, it takes a little while for the turbo to spin up to maximum power. The time it takes between the pedal being depressed and full power being available is known as lag. This can be a frustrating experience when running the stoplight grand prix, as some turbo cars are a bit slower off the line than their more torquey opponents. Once that turbo kicks in, though, all is forgiven.
A turbo can be a great way to add some real punch to your imports engine, but its important that you take the time to install everything properly, and make sure that your fuel delivery system is up to the demands of all that extra air rushing in. Turbochargers add extra pressure to many engine components, and its far better set things up well at the beginning than it is to have to call a tow truck to take your baby back to the garage.
Francis
For quite some time, the only way that engine designers knew how to make power was by adding displacement. The bigger the engine, the more power it could make. While this type of design was acceptable in the 50s and 60s, as technology moved on and fuel became more expensive, it became clear that smaller motors could be made to develop healthy power too.
There are plenty of imports out there with 4-cylinder motors in the 2 liter range. If you have one of these engines, then you know that while it might be fun to drive it in the higher rpm range, it does not have a lot of grunt down low, and it tends to run out breath pretty quickly in top gear. You might have seen some sporty-looking compacts zoom by you on the highway and heard a distinctive “pssh pssh” sound when they shifted gears. That is the sound of a turbos blow-off valve. A what?
A turbocharger is a device that crams more air into your engine by compressing it as much as possible. A quick lesson on how engines make power: they take air and fuel, combine them together, and then ignite that mixture to create an explosion that turns your cars crankshaft. This generates horsepower. Now, if you can figure out a way to get more oxygen into that mixture before the spark plug fires, then you can add an extra amount of gasoline and create an even more powerful explosion. Thats what a turbocharger does, through compressing air so that it contains more oxygen per cubic foot than the air around us in the atmosphere.
In order to do all of this compressing, a turbo has to spin pretty fast actually, really fast. Most turbos spin above 20,000 rpm, and this allows the blades inside the device to compress air incredibly quickly. Turbochargers are really efficient devices, as they are driven by the exhaust gases of the engine itself. These gases exit the engine at great speed, and this speed is translated into the high rpms of the turbo itself.
However, this design is also the source of one of a turbochargers greatest downsides turbo lag. Since an engine running at a low speed does not produce a significant amount of exhaust, when you mash the gas, it takes a little while for the turbo to spin up to maximum power. The time it takes between the pedal being depressed and full power being available is known as lag. This can be a frustrating experience when running the stoplight grand prix, as some turbo cars are a bit slower off the line than their more torquey opponents. Once that turbo kicks in, though, all is forgiven.
A turbo can be a great way to add some real punch to your imports engine, but its important that you take the time to install everything properly, and make sure that your fuel delivery system is up to the demands of all that extra air rushing in. Turbochargers add extra pressure to many engine components, and its far better set things up well at the beginning than it is to have to call a tow truck to take your baby back to the garage.
Francis
Posted in Cars | 
Tags: Crankshaft, Exhaust Gases, Gasoline, Horsepower, Rpms, Spark Plug, Turbo Lag, Turbocharger | 
Comments Closed
Anirban Bhattacharya asked:
When it comes to increase the speed of the car, turbochargers are the best solution to give you an adrenaline rush. Turbocharger increases the speed of the vehicle by compressing the air that enters the engine. Nevertheless, in doing so, much amount of air is permitted to enter the engine and thereby enabling more fuel consumption for enhanced energy. Through this procedure, the cylinders of the cars will yield extra power resulting faster acceleration. However, this high pressure results in the heating of engine. Due to this, the turbocharger may need more cooling occasionally since they are prone to high heat.
The turbo cars have the benefit of producing more power over the non-turbo cars. The turbo cars are small and can be fit within a four cylinder as well. Most importantly, the turbo cars offer amazing power that can be achieved only by large engines.
The turbo car comes with several disadvantages, if it is not fitted correctly and the oversized turbocharger employed, it may have no effect or very little effect on boosting. In place of providing powerful engine boost, the car with turbocharger might respond very poorly or slowly to acceleration. The turbocharger also incorporates a turbo lag that is inconvenient while racing, so it is essential to attain maximum performance timing with turbo car. One major drawback of the turbo cars is its cost involved for the installation of a turbo kit. In addition, turbo kit is complex in installing and you might require learning little bit for engineering for installing it correctly at one go.
The turbo cars are faster as compared to the non-turbo cars, but the choice of installing a turbo kit in the car one should seriously think over before installing the greddy turbo kit in the car because installing one is not a simple task. Get well acquainted with the installation of the turbo kit so that it is worth every penny of your money. If you are sure that you will be able to maintain the turbo car, then get a turbo kit and get it installed in your car. However always remember that driving the car at fast speed does not mean that you can compromise safety, if you have a turbo car, drive safely and follow all the road safety norms.
When it comes to increase the speed of the car, turbochargers are the best solution to give you an adrenaline rush. Turbocharger increases the speed of the vehicle by compressing the air that enters the engine. Nevertheless, in doing so, much amount of air is permitted to enter the engine and thereby enabling more fuel consumption for enhanced energy. Through this procedure, the cylinders of the cars will yield extra power resulting faster acceleration. However, this high pressure results in the heating of engine. Due to this, the turbocharger may need more cooling occasionally since they are prone to high heat.
The turbo cars have the benefit of producing more power over the non-turbo cars. The turbo cars are small and can be fit within a four cylinder as well. Most importantly, the turbo cars offer amazing power that can be achieved only by large engines.
The turbo car comes with several disadvantages, if it is not fitted correctly and the oversized turbocharger employed, it may have no effect or very little effect on boosting. In place of providing powerful engine boost, the car with turbocharger might respond very poorly or slowly to acceleration. The turbocharger also incorporates a turbo lag that is inconvenient while racing, so it is essential to attain maximum performance timing with turbo car. One major drawback of the turbo cars is its cost involved for the installation of a turbo kit. In addition, turbo kit is complex in installing and you might require learning little bit for engineering for installing it correctly at one go.
The turbo cars are faster as compared to the non-turbo cars, but the choice of installing a turbo kit in the car one should seriously think over before installing the greddy turbo kit in the car because installing one is not a simple task. Get well acquainted with the installation of the turbo kit so that it is worth every penny of your money. If you are sure that you will be able to maintain the turbo car, then get a turbo kit and get it installed in your car. However always remember that driving the car at fast speed does not mean that you can compromise safety, if you have a turbo car, drive safely and follow all the road safety norms.
Posted in Cars |
Tags: Acceleration, Amazing Power, Extra Power, Fuel Consumption, Greddy Turbo Kit, Maximum Performance, Turbo Cars, Turbo Lag |
Comments Closed
Eric Ferguson asked:
If you’re interested in adding power and performance to your ride, no doubt you’ve considered adding a turbocharger (just turbo to tuners), or a supercharger to your ride. However, it can be difficult to determine which is the best for your needs. For instance, what is the peak operating range of a turbocharger, versus a supercharger? How much horsepower can you gain from each and which is more cost effective? Here are a few answers to your myriad of questions.
First, you need to understand how each system operates, before you can make an informed choice. Both turbos and superchargers are a form of forced air induction. In other words, they provide boost by forcing more air into each cylinder. More air means more fuel can be dumped in, resulting in larger explosions, more rapid explosions and greater speed. Basically, they provide more air, which results in longer, cleaner burns. You waste less fuel, and go farther, faster. However, that’s where the similarities end.
Turbos:
Turbochargers operate on spent exhaust gasses. These gasses enter one half of the turbine, propelling the turbine and forcing compressed air into the engine. The drawback to this method is that the air is very hot (use an intercooler to combat the heat) and the turbo operates at a fairly high RPM rate (75K to 150K RPMs).
Superchargers:
Superchargers are a little different from turbos. Unlike turbos, they do not operate on exhaust gas. Instead, they use a pulley and the belts on your engine to drive the impeller, rotating screws or rotors. This forces air into the engine, providing more boost for your ride. Superchargers operate at a lower RPM rate than do turbos (anywhere between 15K to 40K, depending on the type of supercharger).
That’s all well and good, but which is better, you ask? That depends on what you want. Both systems cost approximately the same (there will be a few dollars difference, but not much). However, superchargers experience much less lag than do turbochargers. This results in more immediate power. However, turbochargers can provide more boost at higher rates of speed, meaning that you get more out of them at higher RPM ranges.
Turbochargers also create more boost surge, which can damage engines, as well as creating additional backpressure that must be forced out through the headers. Superchargers produce more noise than turbos, but are generally longer-lived, providing you with a longer lasting performance enhancement.
In short, it comes down to personal preference. Both devices provide an amazing boost to your engine performance, knocking your speed capabilities up dramatically. Both systems have pros and cons associated with them, as well. You choice will also depend on your usage. For instance, a supercharger is ideal for a street machine, but if you are going to the track, a turbocharger offers better benefits. Before choosing either system, you will need to define your needs, as well as any future use of your ride, in order to make the best choice.
Calvin
If you’re interested in adding power and performance to your ride, no doubt you’ve considered adding a turbocharger (just turbo to tuners), or a supercharger to your ride. However, it can be difficult to determine which is the best for your needs. For instance, what is the peak operating range of a turbocharger, versus a supercharger? How much horsepower can you gain from each and which is more cost effective? Here are a few answers to your myriad of questions.
First, you need to understand how each system operates, before you can make an informed choice. Both turbos and superchargers are a form of forced air induction. In other words, they provide boost by forcing more air into each cylinder. More air means more fuel can be dumped in, resulting in larger explosions, more rapid explosions and greater speed. Basically, they provide more air, which results in longer, cleaner burns. You waste less fuel, and go farther, faster. However, that’s where the similarities end.
Turbos:
Turbochargers operate on spent exhaust gasses. These gasses enter one half of the turbine, propelling the turbine and forcing compressed air into the engine. The drawback to this method is that the air is very hot (use an intercooler to combat the heat) and the turbo operates at a fairly high RPM rate (75K to 150K RPMs).
Superchargers:
Superchargers are a little different from turbos. Unlike turbos, they do not operate on exhaust gas. Instead, they use a pulley and the belts on your engine to drive the impeller, rotating screws or rotors. This forces air into the engine, providing more boost for your ride. Superchargers operate at a lower RPM rate than do turbos (anywhere between 15K to 40K, depending on the type of supercharger).
That’s all well and good, but which is better, you ask? That depends on what you want. Both systems cost approximately the same (there will be a few dollars difference, but not much). However, superchargers experience much less lag than do turbochargers. This results in more immediate power. However, turbochargers can provide more boost at higher rates of speed, meaning that you get more out of them at higher RPM ranges.
Turbochargers also create more boost surge, which can damage engines, as well as creating additional backpressure that must be forced out through the headers. Superchargers produce more noise than turbos, but are generally longer-lived, providing you with a longer lasting performance enhancement.
In short, it comes down to personal preference. Both devices provide an amazing boost to your engine performance, knocking your speed capabilities up dramatically. Both systems have pros and cons associated with them, as well. You choice will also depend on your usage. For instance, a supercharger is ideal for a street machine, but if you are going to the track, a turbocharger offers better benefits. Before choosing either system, you will need to define your needs, as well as any future use of your ride, in order to make the best choice.
Calvin
Posted in Cars |
Tags: Exhaust Gas, Exhaust Gasses, Horsepower, Impeller, Rpm, Supercharger, Turbocharger, Turbos |
Comments Closed
Marc Formeister asked:
It’s obvious that when it comes to bolt-on modifications for your import car, turbocharging is far and away the best bang for your buck.
But what about supercharging your import? Just like turbochargers, superchargers produce boost pressure, but instead of being driven by exhaust gases alone, they’re driven via a belt on the crank pulley, meaning they contribute to parasitic power loss when the engine isn’t yet in boost. Additionally, there aren’t nearly as many supercharging kits designed for imports as there are turbocharging kits. So while yes, supercharging can add just as much power as turbochargers, turbocharging is much more common in the import car community. This popularity translates into a plethora of good, sound online information and advice about turbocharging, meaning if you have a question, it’s probably already been answered in some online car forum. You just need to search and be patient!
Turbocharging an engine that wasn’t designed for forced induction is not for the fainthearted, nor the mechanically-disinclined. It’s a very involved, expensive, time-consuming and headache-inducing project. But in the end, when you are finally treated to the visceral rush of being pinned back in the seat of your car by a turbocharger that spins at 120,000 rpm and howls an intoxicating jetlike song, you’ll know right away that it was all wholly worth it.
But before you get carried away with the obviously impressive final results of a successful turbo installation, you should know just what it is you’re getting into, and how much money you’re looking at. The importance of thoroughly researching this project first cannot be overstated. The more you read, the more prepared you’ll be, and the less likely you’ll be cursing at that one seemingly insignificant, but oh-so-important component that you overlooked. You’ll also have a much better comprehension of how a turbocharger system works and how you can troubleshoot potential problems.
You can start the research here. The following is a bare-minimum list of the parts needed for any custom low-boost turbo installation, regardless of the car. (Each part will be discussed in-depth in forthcoming articles, so stay tuned!)
*these prices are rough retail estimates for new items*
-turbo (duh!): $500-$700
-turbo manifold: .$300-$1000
-turbo inlet piping (steel): $25
-blow-off valve or bypass valve: $150
-air filter: $40
-downpipe: $150
-oil drain line, weld-in bung, and fittings: $40
-oil feed line and fittings: $40
-various silicone couplers: $100
-Around 8-10 quality stainless-steel hose clamps , preferably t-bolt clamps: $83
-air-to-air intercooler: $230
-intercooler piping (regular steel): $75
-intercooler piping (aluminum): $150
-fuel management—piggy back air/fuel controller: $400
GReddy E-Manage
Apexi AFC-Neo
-fuel management—retuned ECU: $600
-fuel management—full standalone: $1500
AEM EMS
-larger fuel injectors (if using re-tuned ECU or stand alone): $260
-fuel rail, if using different style injectors: $150.0
-brackets
-vacuum hose of various diameter: $20
-gaskets for turbo manifold, downpipe, etc: $20
-miscellaneous hardware and fittings: $20
Parts that you ought to buy if you’re at all concerned with your engine’s longevity:
-complete clutch kit:
once your car is turbocharged, you’ll be making a lot more power, and stock clutches, especially if they’re high mileage, have a tough time handling the large increase in torque without slipping. It’d be a shame to get done with that whole turbo project only to find that you can’t transfer any of that glorious power to the ground! Advanced Clutch Technology offers reliable, reasonably priced clutches.
-oil cooler:
Turbochargers will get extremely hot, so the oil running from your engine into the turbo via the feed line becomes quite hot after it passes through the turbo, cools the turbo, and drains back into the oil pan. If you can afford it, an oil cooler is a great investment even if the car isn’t turbocharged. Get one with a thermostat that turns on between 180-190 degrees, because cold oil is just as bad as really hot oil!
-boost gauge:
A very good idea to prevent catastrophic engine failure due to too much boost; also lets you know if there’s any vacuum leaks anywhere in the turbo system.
-heat shield and/or turbo blanket:
A heat shield will act as a barrier between the sizzling-hot turbo and important engine components that aren’t supposed to be hot, like electrical connections and power steering fluid. A turbo blanket, which is exactly what it sounds like, will drastically reduce under hood temperatures and therefore the temperature of the air being ingested by the turbo. A blanket offers the added bonus of a quicker spool up time due to the heat (energy) being trapped inside of the turbo.
-fuel pump:
Usually in low-boost applications, the car’s OEM fuel pump will suffice; if you are planning on boosting substantially more than 8 psi, a fuel pump, such as the Walbro 255LPH, is necessary.
-wideband oxygen sensor and Air/Fuel ratio gauge, $279 (sensor only):
Wideband oxygen sensors measure the ratio of air to fuel that is entering the engine at any given time. You can buy just the sensor and use your laptop to display the ratio, or you can buy a gauge so you always know what your precious engine is inhaling. This is an invaluable tool for tuning a turbocharged car.
So the total cost for piecing together your own turbo kit and turbocharging your car is $2603. (To arrive at this sum, the turbo manifold was $300, the fuel management was $400, and the intercooler piping was plain steel). Compare this to the price of GReddy’s turbo kit, which costs $3699 (for a Nissan 240sx). Of course, buying a bolt on kit is much more convenient than buying each part from its own place, and you are pretty much guaranteed that everything will fit perfectly and that you haven’t forgotten anything. But if you’re on a budget, you enjoy having options, and/or if you’re the type who likes to do things his own way (which is much more satisfying!), you can save $1000+ by piecing together your own custom kit. You can save even more if you buy used parts through online car fora or eBay, but stay away from buying a used turbocharger unless you can physically inspect it, because more likely than not they’ll need to be rebuilt.
Stay tuned for the next article on selecting the right size turbo!
O Reid
It’s obvious that when it comes to bolt-on modifications for your import car, turbocharging is far and away the best bang for your buck.
But what about supercharging your import? Just like turbochargers, superchargers produce boost pressure, but instead of being driven by exhaust gases alone, they’re driven via a belt on the crank pulley, meaning they contribute to parasitic power loss when the engine isn’t yet in boost. Additionally, there aren’t nearly as many supercharging kits designed for imports as there are turbocharging kits. So while yes, supercharging can add just as much power as turbochargers, turbocharging is much more common in the import car community. This popularity translates into a plethora of good, sound online information and advice about turbocharging, meaning if you have a question, it’s probably already been answered in some online car forum. You just need to search and be patient!
Turbocharging an engine that wasn’t designed for forced induction is not for the fainthearted, nor the mechanically-disinclined. It’s a very involved, expensive, time-consuming and headache-inducing project. But in the end, when you are finally treated to the visceral rush of being pinned back in the seat of your car by a turbocharger that spins at 120,000 rpm and howls an intoxicating jetlike song, you’ll know right away that it was all wholly worth it.
But before you get carried away with the obviously impressive final results of a successful turbo installation, you should know just what it is you’re getting into, and how much money you’re looking at. The importance of thoroughly researching this project first cannot be overstated. The more you read, the more prepared you’ll be, and the less likely you’ll be cursing at that one seemingly insignificant, but oh-so-important component that you overlooked. You’ll also have a much better comprehension of how a turbocharger system works and how you can troubleshoot potential problems.
You can start the research here. The following is a bare-minimum list of the parts needed for any custom low-boost turbo installation, regardless of the car. (Each part will be discussed in-depth in forthcoming articles, so stay tuned!)
*these prices are rough retail estimates for new items*
-turbo (duh!): $500-$700
-turbo manifold: .$300-$1000
-turbo inlet piping (steel): $25
-blow-off valve or bypass valve: $150
-air filter: $40
-downpipe: $150
-oil drain line, weld-in bung, and fittings: $40
-oil feed line and fittings: $40
-various silicone couplers: $100
-Around 8-10 quality stainless-steel hose clamps , preferably t-bolt clamps: $83
-air-to-air intercooler: $230
-intercooler piping (regular steel): $75
-intercooler piping (aluminum): $150
-fuel management—piggy back air/fuel controller: $400
GReddy E-Manage
Apexi AFC-Neo
-fuel management—retuned ECU: $600
-fuel management—full standalone: $1500
AEM EMS
-larger fuel injectors (if using re-tuned ECU or stand alone): $260
-fuel rail, if using different style injectors: $150.0
-brackets
-vacuum hose of various diameter: $20
-gaskets for turbo manifold, downpipe, etc: $20
-miscellaneous hardware and fittings: $20
Parts that you ought to buy if you’re at all concerned with your engine’s longevity:
-complete clutch kit:
once your car is turbocharged, you’ll be making a lot more power, and stock clutches, especially if they’re high mileage, have a tough time handling the large increase in torque without slipping. It’d be a shame to get done with that whole turbo project only to find that you can’t transfer any of that glorious power to the ground! Advanced Clutch Technology offers reliable, reasonably priced clutches.
-oil cooler:
Turbochargers will get extremely hot, so the oil running from your engine into the turbo via the feed line becomes quite hot after it passes through the turbo, cools the turbo, and drains back into the oil pan. If you can afford it, an oil cooler is a great investment even if the car isn’t turbocharged. Get one with a thermostat that turns on between 180-190 degrees, because cold oil is just as bad as really hot oil!
-boost gauge:
A very good idea to prevent catastrophic engine failure due to too much boost; also lets you know if there’s any vacuum leaks anywhere in the turbo system.
-heat shield and/or turbo blanket:
A heat shield will act as a barrier between the sizzling-hot turbo and important engine components that aren’t supposed to be hot, like electrical connections and power steering fluid. A turbo blanket, which is exactly what it sounds like, will drastically reduce under hood temperatures and therefore the temperature of the air being ingested by the turbo. A blanket offers the added bonus of a quicker spool up time due to the heat (energy) being trapped inside of the turbo.
-fuel pump:
Usually in low-boost applications, the car’s OEM fuel pump will suffice; if you are planning on boosting substantially more than 8 psi, a fuel pump, such as the Walbro 255LPH, is necessary.
-wideband oxygen sensor and Air/Fuel ratio gauge, $279 (sensor only):
Wideband oxygen sensors measure the ratio of air to fuel that is entering the engine at any given time. You can buy just the sensor and use your laptop to display the ratio, or you can buy a gauge so you always know what your precious engine is inhaling. This is an invaluable tool for tuning a turbocharged car.
So the total cost for piecing together your own turbo kit and turbocharging your car is $2603. (To arrive at this sum, the turbo manifold was $300, the fuel management was $400, and the intercooler piping was plain steel). Compare this to the price of GReddy’s turbo kit, which costs $3699 (for a Nissan 240sx). Of course, buying a bolt on kit is much more convenient than buying each part from its own place, and you are pretty much guaranteed that everything will fit perfectly and that you haven’t forgotten anything. But if you’re on a budget, you enjoy having options, and/or if you’re the type who likes to do things his own way (which is much more satisfying!), you can save $1000+ by piecing together your own custom kit. You can save even more if you buy used parts through online car fora or eBay, but stay away from buying a used turbocharger unless you can physically inspect it, because more likely than not they’ll need to be rebuilt.
Stay tuned for the next article on selecting the right size turbo!
O Reid
