Garrett Turbo

James Flammang asked:

making their redesigned debut for 2007, the current-generation coupes were “redesignated” for 2009, topped by the new 335i xDrive coupe with all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. This is BMW’s first twin-turbo inline six. In fact, turbocharging has not been used on BMWs since the 1980s, when it appeared on a handful of models.

Engineers decided to revive turbocharging, because of recent technical developments. Relatively small turbochargers minimize the dreaded “turbo lag,” since they build up pressure much faster than does a single, larger unit. BMW also offers a 328i coupe with a 230-hp, naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six-cylinder that uses magnesium-aluminum construction. Transmission choices for both include a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or an available six-speed Steptronic automatic.

Each model is offered with xDrive, which is BMW’s version of all-wheel drive. On smooth, dry roads, xDrive delivers what BMW calls a “sporty, rear-wheel-drive feel,” which is precisely what most shoppers are seeking. Along wet or snow-packed roads, on the other hand, xDrive “automatically sends more torque to the axle with more traction,” promising helpful front/rear weight balance. Making iDrive an option lets those who favor high-tech control select that unit, but allows those who prefer a simpler, traditional configuration to omit the love-it/hate-it system.

Headlight design, taillamp detailing, outside mirrors and interior appearance were created specifically for coupes. Two-doors feature a long wheelbase, short overhangs, a setback passenger compartment, and a low, sleek roofline. The long hood reflects BMW’s tradition of inline six-cylinder engines. Corona light rings that serve as BMW-distinctive daytime running lights accent the standard xenon adaptive headlights.

Rear occupants in the four-passenger coupes have a center console between individual seats with separate storage boxes, additional air outlet vents, and footwell lights. Standard leatherette upholstery comes in Black or Cream Beige, with leather optional. BMW’s iDrive controller is an option, too. One helpful feature is the seatbelt feeder arm, which automatically moves forward, presenting the seatbelt to the driver and front passenger when doors are closed and the key inserted. Access to rear seats has been made easier, according to BMW, but it’s still a chore for the less agile.

There’s nothing the least bit gaudy or garish about a 3 Series coupe, which relies strictly upon clean lines and smooth curves to establish its presence. Performance is precisely as energetic as expected from BMW. The twin-turbo engine has all the go-power anyone will need, available in an instant. In typical BMW form, the manual gearbox shifts with ease and finesse, requiring a mere flick of the wrist. Adeptly matched to the gearbox, BMW’s clutch engages with smooth confidence.

Engineers have given the 335i a surprisingly comfortable ride, considering the coupe’s impressive level of road-hugging expertise. Rear-drive 3 Series coupes are well known for their sure-footed behavior, but xDrive adds an extra helping of assurance. Ordinarily, there’s no evidence of its existence apart from a badge on the fender. When the pavement turns wet or slick, however, it’s ready to take action as needed.

Only a light rumble can be heard from the twin exhaust pipes. Otherwise, the 335i is fairly quiet. Steering feel and response don’t get much better, or more satisfying. Particularly comfortable front seats provide sufficient space all around, though the front compartment is a bit on the snug side.

Prices start at $38,125 (including destination charge) for a 328i coupe with rear-wheel drive. For a 335xi coupe with the twin-turbo engine and all-wheel drive, the outlay escalates to $44,625. An automatic transmission adds $1,325. Additional options include Active Cruise Control, rear Park Distance Control, a navigation system, heated front seats, an iPod/USB adapter, and a Premium or Sport Package (including upgraded tires).

Mason

Lauren Woods asked:


In the world of the auto industry, car manufacturers have been coming up with improvements for their current models. Some of these changes include tuning existing models for a sportier application. One concrete example of this is the 2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed Mazda3.

The popular hatchback is made even sportier by the Asian car company in response to the growing number of tuned hatchbacks in the market. Basically, Mazda improved the car’s suspension by tuning it for a better performance on cornering. To do that, the company installed a turbocharger to increase the car’s engine’s power, and that also gives the Mazda vehicle with a limited slip differential.

To start with, the Mazda3 is already a nimble compact car which has already gain popularity among American car buyers. It is no surprise though that the Mazdaspeed is made even more powerful and better performing than the Mazda3.

One of the problems found in the Mazdaspeed though is turbo lag. This is the effect of using a turbocharger to provide more power to the engine. Since turbochargers uses a car’s exhaust gases to propel its turbine, the device would not readily start unlike when a car uses a supercharger. Turbo lag management is one of the focuses of car manufacturers when installing a turbocharger on their cars.

Unfortunately, the Mazdaspeed or all of Mazda’s efforts suffers from turbo lag. Other aftermarket parts can be added to the Mazdaspeed to give it better fuel economy like Mazda cold air intake systems.

The Mazdaspeed’s power comes from a 2.3-liter direct injected and turbocharged engine that is capable of producing 263 horsepower. The drivetrain that the Mazdaspeed uses is the same as that used by the Mazda CX-7.

What makes up for the turbo lag is the Mazdaspeed’s limited slip differential feature. This allows the car’s tires to grip the road completely enabling the power produced by the engine to be utilized without a substantial amount of waste. The limited slip differential is complemented by the suspension system of the tuned-up hatchback. Together with the steering system, the suspension gives the hatchback a good handling which is of course the main reason for tuning the car for sportier performance. Unluckily though, giving the car a sportier suspension setting decreases the ride comfort that it offers to passengers. This harsher suspension setting is a threat to everyday commuters. But with the overall performance that the Mazdaspeed brings to the table, consumers who are in need of high performance vehicles will surely like the hatchback.

While performance enthusiasts are guaranteed to like this car, music lovers would think twice before buying the Mazdaspeed. While the car is equipped with a six-disc in-dash CD player with seven Bose speakers, its user interface is a bit confusing according to auto journalists who has taken the Mazdaspeed for a test drive. The lack of user-friendliness is somehow contradicted by the Sirius satellite radio that the Mazdaspeed is equipped with.

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

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.