Posts Tagged ‘Horsepower’
December 7th, 2009 | 
Author: 
Evander Klum asked:
A car is an investment. Whatever your reason is for buying one, it is important that you get the car that suits you. Some would buy just for the sake of having one. Then suddenly you will realize you actually did not have the right one for you.
It is prudent to compare vehicles when planning what to buy. By doing this, you will know which is good, better, best, bad, worse or worst.
There are certain things to consider when comparing vehicles. One is the cargo volume or the so called luggage capacity. It is referred to as the volume in the trunk/area behind the seats. So when talking about maximum cargo volume, this refers to the volume when the rear seats are bent over, and when the storage bins are full in capacity. The cargo volume is moderately important to buyers since some would probably be filling their vehicles with pieces of luggage, bags of grocery items and other cargo every now and then.
As a car buyer, you need to know about power-to-weight ratio. From the term itself, it suggests some mathematical equations, but not really as difficult as those during your school years. The ration is derived from a vehicle’s horsepower as related to its weight. Power-to-weight ratio is congenial when there is greater horsepower and lower weight. While looking for the right vehicle, keep in mind that the horsepower figure is just a part of the performance equation. If you are concerned with the performance of your car when accelerating, better consider the car’s power-to-weight ratio.
You definitely would want safety in you car, right? Electronic stability control or traction control spells it all. This system is composed of radars and detectors that inform the driver when a future crash can happen; the brake system is not functioning well; when the wheels are not properly align; and so on.
Nowadays, there are several vehicles in the market that have this electronic stability control/traction control. This is to ensure further comfort, excellent driving and safety while on the road.
The resale value should also be considered in comparing cars. This is referred to as your vehicle’s future value. This can be affected by several things such as the amount of mileage you have put on it or the number of times it experienced accidents.
The resale value is one of the factors because it is important that you pay the right amount for your car. If it had been in several accidents, it implies less cost. If it had never been in an accident, it might definitely cost high because its value is not yet much deteriorated.
For practical buyers, this is the most important thing to consider.
Another thing to keep in mind when comparing is the car’s turbocharger. It is a supercharger unit that is powered by an exhaust-fed turbine under acceleration. The turbine commands a pump to give more air into the cylinders when called upon. In effect, a better pick up is experienced. Turbo, which are manufactured during the “not so high technology era”, were infamous for fall between the time the accelerator was pressed and the time the boost was felt. Furthermore, the boost would spike suddenly without a straight response. On the other hand, turbo that are manufactured in the “very high technology era” generally perform better in both aspects.
A car expert knows that greater air supply through the engine is a must. In this matter, a supercharger gives a big help. Commonly called as “blower”, a supercharger is a compressor that pushes more air into the car’s engine than it would ordinarily capture. Generally speaking, this term technically applies to all types of compressors even turbochargers. However, it is also commonly referred to the mechanically driven units. And since they are always functioning, the turbo do not experience lags and peaks. And this is good news, right? So better compare analytically the vehicles’ supercharger.
Another thing to consider is the curb weight. It is the most appropriate way of measuring a vehicle’s weight. This is referred to as a car’s drag with all its standard equipment and fluids onboard such as gas, oil, coolant, etc., which cumulatively account for more pounds than what you usually know.
Finally, but certainly not the least priority in comparing cars, the vehicle identification number (VIN). It is a code of letters and numbers reveals the manufacturer and where it was made and when. It further goes along with other miscellaneous details. This is more important in used vehicles in order to investigate its reported history.
If you are looking for a BMW car, every single detail is written in the BMW manual.
Bob
A car is an investment. Whatever your reason is for buying one, it is important that you get the car that suits you. Some would buy just for the sake of having one. Then suddenly you will realize you actually did not have the right one for you.
It is prudent to compare vehicles when planning what to buy. By doing this, you will know which is good, better, best, bad, worse or worst.
There are certain things to consider when comparing vehicles. One is the cargo volume or the so called luggage capacity. It is referred to as the volume in the trunk/area behind the seats. So when talking about maximum cargo volume, this refers to the volume when the rear seats are bent over, and when the storage bins are full in capacity. The cargo volume is moderately important to buyers since some would probably be filling their vehicles with pieces of luggage, bags of grocery items and other cargo every now and then.
As a car buyer, you need to know about power-to-weight ratio. From the term itself, it suggests some mathematical equations, but not really as difficult as those during your school years. The ration is derived from a vehicle’s horsepower as related to its weight. Power-to-weight ratio is congenial when there is greater horsepower and lower weight. While looking for the right vehicle, keep in mind that the horsepower figure is just a part of the performance equation. If you are concerned with the performance of your car when accelerating, better consider the car’s power-to-weight ratio.
You definitely would want safety in you car, right? Electronic stability control or traction control spells it all. This system is composed of radars and detectors that inform the driver when a future crash can happen; the brake system is not functioning well; when the wheels are not properly align; and so on.
Nowadays, there are several vehicles in the market that have this electronic stability control/traction control. This is to ensure further comfort, excellent driving and safety while on the road.
The resale value should also be considered in comparing cars. This is referred to as your vehicle’s future value. This can be affected by several things such as the amount of mileage you have put on it or the number of times it experienced accidents.
The resale value is one of the factors because it is important that you pay the right amount for your car. If it had been in several accidents, it implies less cost. If it had never been in an accident, it might definitely cost high because its value is not yet much deteriorated.
For practical buyers, this is the most important thing to consider.
Another thing to keep in mind when comparing is the car’s turbocharger. It is a supercharger unit that is powered by an exhaust-fed turbine under acceleration. The turbine commands a pump to give more air into the cylinders when called upon. In effect, a better pick up is experienced. Turbo, which are manufactured during the “not so high technology era”, were infamous for fall between the time the accelerator was pressed and the time the boost was felt. Furthermore, the boost would spike suddenly without a straight response. On the other hand, turbo that are manufactured in the “very high technology era” generally perform better in both aspects.
A car expert knows that greater air supply through the engine is a must. In this matter, a supercharger gives a big help. Commonly called as “blower”, a supercharger is a compressor that pushes more air into the car’s engine than it would ordinarily capture. Generally speaking, this term technically applies to all types of compressors even turbochargers. However, it is also commonly referred to the mechanically driven units. And since they are always functioning, the turbo do not experience lags and peaks. And this is good news, right? So better compare analytically the vehicles’ supercharger.
Another thing to consider is the curb weight. It is the most appropriate way of measuring a vehicle’s weight. This is referred to as a car’s drag with all its standard equipment and fluids onboard such as gas, oil, coolant, etc., which cumulatively account for more pounds than what you usually know.
Finally, but certainly not the least priority in comparing cars, the vehicle identification number (VIN). It is a code of letters and numbers reveals the manufacturer and where it was made and when. It further goes along with other miscellaneous details. This is more important in used vehicles in order to investigate its reported history.
If you are looking for a BMW car, every single detail is written in the BMW manual.
Bob
Justina Mathews asked:
Turbocharged cars are interesting creatures from a performance perspective. In stock trim from the factory, they often run a very conservative level of boost and fuel delivery. These cars make good amounts of power, but there is a vast reservoir of potential lying there, completely untapped. This is largely because automakers are afraid of the warranty issues that could be associated with turbocharged cars running at their absolute peak. These extra safety margins are built into the engine management software so that power is produced, but not to the point where stress might reach a dangerous level.
If you own one of these turbocharged beasts, such as the Dodge SRT-4 or the Cobalt SS, it can be frustrating to find out that your car’s engine has been holding out on you. Many people, when they find out about how their engine computer is programmed, wonder if there is a way to bypass these restrictions and get the most out of their ride.
The answer is yes. Since modern engines are managed via computer software, the simple answer is that by reprogramming the engines computer or ECU, it is possible to wring every last ounce of power out of the engine. This is a lot easier to say that it is to actually do, however. Not all car companies are open about how their engine management is coded, and many of the tuners who work to decode these systems can find themselves spending a significant amount of time just figuring out basic ECU operations. However, given a large enough market, and enough time, even the most complex management software is analyzed and improved upon by performance companies.
How do these companies reprogram you cars computer? Once they have a firm understand of the vehicles software, they can then start to tweak it to test out the limits of the engine. There are quite a few different factors that can be played with in the pursuit of more horsepower and better performance: boost level, throttle response, the ratio of air to fuel at every given engine speed, and ignition advance, to give a few examples. This type of tuning is not only about peak power it is also about increasing the power band so that there is more power available no matter how fast or slow the engine is turning. This can really improve the drivability of your vehicle, and help reduce some of the lag experienced with the turbocharger.
Once everything has been figured out and tested, it is coded onto a computer chip. Some companies will send you the chip so you can install it yourself, (it usually just snaps in and out of the ECU), while others will require you to ship them your ECU so that they can install it for you.
Chipping a turbocharged car can be a great way to unlock its hidden power. However, doing so will often times void your warranty, and could put your engine and other parts of your drive train under more stress than they is used to. Make sure that you get the whole story from whichever chip company you are considering before you install the new part in your car.
Floyd
Turbocharged cars are interesting creatures from a performance perspective. In stock trim from the factory, they often run a very conservative level of boost and fuel delivery. These cars make good amounts of power, but there is a vast reservoir of potential lying there, completely untapped. This is largely because automakers are afraid of the warranty issues that could be associated with turbocharged cars running at their absolute peak. These extra safety margins are built into the engine management software so that power is produced, but not to the point where stress might reach a dangerous level.
If you own one of these turbocharged beasts, such as the Dodge SRT-4 or the Cobalt SS, it can be frustrating to find out that your car’s engine has been holding out on you. Many people, when they find out about how their engine computer is programmed, wonder if there is a way to bypass these restrictions and get the most out of their ride.
The answer is yes. Since modern engines are managed via computer software, the simple answer is that by reprogramming the engines computer or ECU, it is possible to wring every last ounce of power out of the engine. This is a lot easier to say that it is to actually do, however. Not all car companies are open about how their engine management is coded, and many of the tuners who work to decode these systems can find themselves spending a significant amount of time just figuring out basic ECU operations. However, given a large enough market, and enough time, even the most complex management software is analyzed and improved upon by performance companies.
How do these companies reprogram you cars computer? Once they have a firm understand of the vehicles software, they can then start to tweak it to test out the limits of the engine. There are quite a few different factors that can be played with in the pursuit of more horsepower and better performance: boost level, throttle response, the ratio of air to fuel at every given engine speed, and ignition advance, to give a few examples. This type of tuning is not only about peak power it is also about increasing the power band so that there is more power available no matter how fast or slow the engine is turning. This can really improve the drivability of your vehicle, and help reduce some of the lag experienced with the turbocharger.
Once everything has been figured out and tested, it is coded onto a computer chip. Some companies will send you the chip so you can install it yourself, (it usually just snaps in and out of the ECU), while others will require you to ship them your ECU so that they can install it for you.
Chipping a turbocharged car can be a great way to unlock its hidden power. However, doing so will often times void your warranty, and could put your engine and other parts of your drive train under more stress than they is used to. Make sure that you get the whole story from whichever chip company you are considering before you install the new part in your car.
Floyd
Posted in Cars | 
Tags: Cobalt Ss, Dodge Srt 4, Engine Computer, Engine Management, Fuel Delivery, Horsepower, Throttle Response | 
Comments Closed
Bond Mejeh asked:
Supercharging and turbo-charging your engine will get you the same thing: more horsepower. Both work by increasing the amount of air that goes into the combustion chamber, resulting in a more powerful explosion. However, they both do it in very different ways.
A supercharger works by taking power from the engine via a belt/pulley system. The belt turns an impeller inside the supercharger that forces more air into the combustion chamber. The benefits of having a supercharger, is that it’s very straightforward to use, and the power is there whenever you need it. Also, a cool feature about it is that it doesn’t require special cooling or maintenance. It’s easily more reliable than turbochargers.
A supercharger also provides a smooth boost throughout the entire power-band, which results in more predictable handling and power at low, as well as high RPM’s. The downside of supercharging is that it uses a small amount of power from the engine all of the time (because of the pulley). Ironically, the more power the supercharger produces, the more power it pulls from the system. But the net result of having a supercharger would most likely turnout better than not owning a supercharger at all.
A turbo charger works much like a supercharger, where it forces more air into the combustion chamber. However, instead of being driven by a pulley/belt combo attached to the engine, the impeller is spun by exhaust gasses from the engine. When the engine is at rest, the turbo charger impeller is idling, because there is little pressure in the exhaust that is released from the engine. As the engine is revved, more exhaust pressure hits the turbo charger’s impeller causing it to turn, which puts more air in the combustion chamber, which also increases the exhaust pressure by hitting the turbo impeller. Hopefully you can see where this is going at this point. The faster you go the more power the turbocharger produces.
The benefits of having this type of system, is having a lot of power being produced with no extra effort on the engine’s part. You can also increase the air density by adding intercoolers, which cools the air before the turbo gets put into the combustion chamber that allows an even greater increase in power. Another great aspect of owning a system like this is the ability to change the amount of boost available. With some models this can even be done while driving, allowing you to fine-tune the power you need.
However the big con of the turbo charger is the uneven power-band. At low RPM’s the engine is not producing enough exhaust pressure for the turbo charger to add power. This is known as turbo lag. Once it gets going though, it’s a very massive boost. So massive, in fact, that a poorly, setup turbo charger can be dangerous: the sudden and dramatic increase in power can cause the handling characteristics of the car to change. This was especially true of the older Porsche 911 Turbos, which had a habit of swinging the back-end out if you weren’t aware when the turbo boost hit. The other con of the turbo charger is its maintenance. There are more moving parts than in a supercharger, and some models require cool down time after heavy use before the engine can be shut off.
Superchargers are better used for the daily driver who wants a little more power in their engine without sacrificing the reliability or worrying about sudden amounts of power causing a spinout. In fact, there have been mini-vans that have come standard with superchargers, attesting to its same power. Turbo chargers are better used in sports cars, whose handling can accommodate the sudden change in power, where whose drivers are willing to sacrifice some reliability for a large increase in speed.
H Pittman
Supercharging and turbo-charging your engine will get you the same thing: more horsepower. Both work by increasing the amount of air that goes into the combustion chamber, resulting in a more powerful explosion. However, they both do it in very different ways.
A supercharger works by taking power from the engine via a belt/pulley system. The belt turns an impeller inside the supercharger that forces more air into the combustion chamber. The benefits of having a supercharger, is that it’s very straightforward to use, and the power is there whenever you need it. Also, a cool feature about it is that it doesn’t require special cooling or maintenance. It’s easily more reliable than turbochargers.
A supercharger also provides a smooth boost throughout the entire power-band, which results in more predictable handling and power at low, as well as high RPM’s. The downside of supercharging is that it uses a small amount of power from the engine all of the time (because of the pulley). Ironically, the more power the supercharger produces, the more power it pulls from the system. But the net result of having a supercharger would most likely turnout better than not owning a supercharger at all.
A turbo charger works much like a supercharger, where it forces more air into the combustion chamber. However, instead of being driven by a pulley/belt combo attached to the engine, the impeller is spun by exhaust gasses from the engine. When the engine is at rest, the turbo charger impeller is idling, because there is little pressure in the exhaust that is released from the engine. As the engine is revved, more exhaust pressure hits the turbo charger’s impeller causing it to turn, which puts more air in the combustion chamber, which also increases the exhaust pressure by hitting the turbo impeller. Hopefully you can see where this is going at this point. The faster you go the more power the turbocharger produces.
The benefits of having this type of system, is having a lot of power being produced with no extra effort on the engine’s part. You can also increase the air density by adding intercoolers, which cools the air before the turbo gets put into the combustion chamber that allows an even greater increase in power. Another great aspect of owning a system like this is the ability to change the amount of boost available. With some models this can even be done while driving, allowing you to fine-tune the power you need.
However the big con of the turbo charger is the uneven power-band. At low RPM’s the engine is not producing enough exhaust pressure for the turbo charger to add power. This is known as turbo lag. Once it gets going though, it’s a very massive boost. So massive, in fact, that a poorly, setup turbo charger can be dangerous: the sudden and dramatic increase in power can cause the handling characteristics of the car to change. This was especially true of the older Porsche 911 Turbos, which had a habit of swinging the back-end out if you weren’t aware when the turbo boost hit. The other con of the turbo charger is its maintenance. There are more moving parts than in a supercharger, and some models require cool down time after heavy use before the engine can be shut off.
Superchargers are better used for the daily driver who wants a little more power in their engine without sacrificing the reliability or worrying about sudden amounts of power causing a spinout. In fact, there have been mini-vans that have come standard with superchargers, attesting to its same power. Turbo chargers are better used in sports cars, whose handling can accommodate the sudden change in power, where whose drivers are willing to sacrifice some reliability for a large increase in speed.
H Pittman
Posted in Cars |
Tags: Belt Pulley, Exhaust Gasses, Exhaust Pressure, Horsepower, Impeller, Rpm, Supercharger, Turbo Charger, Turbocharger |
Comments Closed
Vikram Kumar asked:
Turbos are a genre upon themselves. They are the magic of the automotive world, wielded so powerfully in the hands of auto experts. Aside from its benefits of speed and power, qualities that make it highly popular with men and women who like hard and fast rides, a turbocharger and a turbo kit are very great ways to save on energy and gas. Why? Because they turn a completely useless waste product into raw horsepower and torque, which is then converted into more power and hence more speed. Even the prospect of looking into a turbo kit is exhilarating simply because these things are toys-for-the-big-boys, all shiny chrome and complex configurations; and even thinking that a turbocharger is installed in your engine changes you as a driver. You will get hooked to the power boost and speed capabilities only a turbocharger can provide, somewhat like an addict looking for a fix only in a good way.
At Vivid Racing, they can help you achieve that speed and power fix with their complete line of turbocharger products and turbo kit range. Vivid Racing’s team of professional automotive technicians is fully-equipped to install them for you; and with 3 lifts, a Mustang All Wheel Drive Dyno for tuning and testing, access to all parts you need from all the biggest turbocharger and turbo kit manufacturers in the country, and a racing background to boot, you can be sure Vivid Racing will help you realize your dream car. And if you cannot come to Vivid Racing’s headquarters in Chandler, Arizona for your product testing and tuning support needs, they will fly to you! Not only do you get genuine a turbo kit, you also get unparalleled support from a customer-oriented company.
Vivid Racing offers top-of-the-line accessories and parts in a turbo kit. They have blow-off valves to regulate compressor surge and reduce engine wear and tear. Blow-off valves from TurboXS, HKS, Greddy, Agency Power, and Forge, among others are available at Vivid Racing. They also have intercooler pipes and intercoolers from Greddy, Injen, HKS, Perrin, Ralliart, Samco, and many more. Vivid Racing also carries turbo hoses and waste gates from Agency Power, Forge, Stillen, Neuspeed, Perrin, among others.
What is more important to the turbo-hooked car aficionado is Vivid Racing’s wide variety of turbochargers and turbo kits for many different car vehicles and model. You just click on the Vehicle Selector to select the car and its model and the parts you need. The online system will find what you are looking for. However, if the part you need is unlisted or you do not see the turbocharger or turbo kit you have lusting after, you can always contact them to inquire about its availability.
At Vivid Racing, you get exactly what you want in your dream car, whether you want it turbocharged or supercharged. They have everything you will ever need in transforming your ordinary assembly-line car into the automotive beast machine you always wanted it to be. Their parts and kits directly come from prestigious manufacturers like Forge, Procharger, Greddy, HKS, Forced Performance, APEXi, APS, Agency Power, Blitz, Garrett, and many more.
Carpenter
Turbos are a genre upon themselves. They are the magic of the automotive world, wielded so powerfully in the hands of auto experts. Aside from its benefits of speed and power, qualities that make it highly popular with men and women who like hard and fast rides, a turbocharger and a turbo kit are very great ways to save on energy and gas. Why? Because they turn a completely useless waste product into raw horsepower and torque, which is then converted into more power and hence more speed. Even the prospect of looking into a turbo kit is exhilarating simply because these things are toys-for-the-big-boys, all shiny chrome and complex configurations; and even thinking that a turbocharger is installed in your engine changes you as a driver. You will get hooked to the power boost and speed capabilities only a turbocharger can provide, somewhat like an addict looking for a fix only in a good way.
At Vivid Racing, they can help you achieve that speed and power fix with their complete line of turbocharger products and turbo kit range. Vivid Racing’s team of professional automotive technicians is fully-equipped to install them for you; and with 3 lifts, a Mustang All Wheel Drive Dyno for tuning and testing, access to all parts you need from all the biggest turbocharger and turbo kit manufacturers in the country, and a racing background to boot, you can be sure Vivid Racing will help you realize your dream car. And if you cannot come to Vivid Racing’s headquarters in Chandler, Arizona for your product testing and tuning support needs, they will fly to you! Not only do you get genuine a turbo kit, you also get unparalleled support from a customer-oriented company.
Vivid Racing offers top-of-the-line accessories and parts in a turbo kit. They have blow-off valves to regulate compressor surge and reduce engine wear and tear. Blow-off valves from TurboXS, HKS, Greddy, Agency Power, and Forge, among others are available at Vivid Racing. They also have intercooler pipes and intercoolers from Greddy, Injen, HKS, Perrin, Ralliart, Samco, and many more. Vivid Racing also carries turbo hoses and waste gates from Agency Power, Forge, Stillen, Neuspeed, Perrin, among others.
What is more important to the turbo-hooked car aficionado is Vivid Racing’s wide variety of turbochargers and turbo kits for many different car vehicles and model. You just click on the Vehicle Selector to select the car and its model and the parts you need. The online system will find what you are looking for. However, if the part you need is unlisted or you do not see the turbocharger or turbo kit you have lusting after, you can always contact them to inquire about its availability.
At Vivid Racing, you get exactly what you want in your dream car, whether you want it turbocharged or supercharged. They have everything you will ever need in transforming your ordinary assembly-line car into the automotive beast machine you always wanted it to be. Their parts and kits directly come from prestigious manufacturers like Forge, Procharger, Greddy, HKS, Forced Performance, APEXi, APS, Agency Power, Blitz, Garrett, and many more.
Carpenter
Posted in Uncategorized |
Tags: Auto Experts, Dream Car, Hks, Horsepower, Intercooler Pipes, Speed Capabilities, Turbo Kit, Turbocharger |
Comments Closed
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
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 |
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