turboladders

A turbocharger, often called a turbo, is a forced induction device that increases an internal combustion engine's efficiency and power output. It works by utilizing exhaust gases, which would otherwise be wasted, to spin a turbine. This turbine is connected by a shaft to a compressor, which draws in ambient air and compresses it. The compressed air, now denser and containing more oxygen, is then fed into the engine's cylinders. With more oxygen available, the engine can burn more fuel, resulting in a more powerful combustion stroke and thus increased horsepower.

The basic principle involves two main components: the turbine and the compressor. The turbine wheel is placed in the exhaust stream of the engine. As hot exhaust gases flow through the turbine housing, they spin the turbine at very high speeds, often exceeding 100,000 RPM. The compressor wheel is located in the intake system and is directly coupled to the turbine via a shared shaft. As the turbine spins, so does the compressor, drawing in fresh air, compressing it, and forcing it into the engine's intake manifold.

Turbochargers are advantageous because they allow smaller engines to produce the power of larger naturally aspirated engines, leading to better fuel economy and reduced emissions in some applications. However, they can also introduce turbo lag, a delay between the driver's throttle input and the turbocharger delivering boost. Modern turbocharger designs, such as variable geometry turbos (VGTs) and twin-scroll turbos, have significantly reduced or eliminated this lag.