Protecting and Preserving Your Auto Parts: Tips for DIY Mechanics

3 Essential Accessories for Your Turbocharged Car

Deciding to turbo-charge your vehicle is a step in the right direction if you wish to have your vehicle pack as much power as possible. Notably, the roar of a turbo-charged engine is something that most car owners would love to experience. However, you need to understand that merely turbo-charging your vehicle and leaving it at that will not work as expected. Modifications that are made on a turbo-enabled car call for the addition of complementary accessories to allow optimal functioning of the turbo system. If you are not familiar with turbo accessories, then keep reading to find out. 

Intercooler -- As you probably understand, the combustion process in an engine requires an air-fuel mixture to displace pistons and provide motion. In a turbocharged car, the amount of air that is drawn into the engine is quite high, which increases the rate of piston action inside the engine; consequently, a lot of heat is produced that can damage engine parts. Hot air build up needs to be controlled, and this is where an intercooler comes in. An intercooler works by spreading compressed hot air across a larger surface area other than the engine's intake piping system to allow heat dissipation. Once cooling has taken place, air is allowed back into the intake system to keep the pistons moving. The intercooling cycle continues as long as an engine is running. If you decide to turbocharge your car, therefore, remember to accessorise it with an intercooler.

Blow Off Valve -- As a turbocharged engine runs, there is a build-up of pressurised air that goes straight back to the intake piping. The faster the pistons move, the more pressurised air is produced that might put a strain on the turbocharger. As such, you need equipment to help release excess compressed air away from the intake piping; notably, blow off valves (BOVs) help in this regard. Although turbo technology has come a long way regarding durability, you need BOVs to allow turbochargers to function efficiently throughout the service life. In the absence of a blow off valve (BOV), you risk damaging the turbocharger, especially the intake piping.

Exhaust Manifolds -- After installing a turbocharger, it is essential to accompany the setup installation with an appropriate exhaust pipe. Ideally, it is recommended that exhaust pipes have the same diameter as the exhaust port on a turbo. Having an even-sized exhaust piping throughout the exhaust system prevents backpressure because of exhaust restriction. Additionally, exhaust gasses need to be released without restraint to prevent an engine from choking on the fumes.


Share