Important Notes When Upgrading Turbochargers

Turbochargers are seemingly simple components but there are many external influences that can affect its performance and reliability as well as that of your engine and drivetrain. We have provided a list below with some important things to consider when upgrading to a new high performance Turbo.

 

Replacing a Faulty Turbocharger

Turbos rarely fail on their own accord and failures are typically caused by a problem elsewhere in the engine bay. If replacing a faulty turbocharger it is recommended to perform some investigation as to why the old turbo failed. If a pre-existing problem caused the old turbo to fail it is possible this will cause a premature failure of the new unit as well.

 

Installing a Turbocharger on a Freshly Built Engine

One of the most common situations we experience is a turbocharger failing shortly after startup, on the dyno or during the first few months of operation. This can be down to either improper pre-start preparation or due to the engine block and surrounding components not being correctly cleaned after assembly. Special attention must be given to ensuring all intake, exhaust, oil and coolant passages in the engine are cleaned of debris before installing the turbo. Should any contaminants make their way through the turbo it can cause almost instant failure.

 

Knock-On Effects of Increasing Performance

When installing a high performance turbo the existing powertrain will not operate in the same manner. Temperatures and pressures of almost all aspects of the engine will increase and if adequate measures are not taken it may cause turbocharger failure and/or engine failure.

An example of this would be increased crankcase pressure. Due to this pressure increasing it can increase blow-by and reduce the flow of oil from the turbo drain back to the oil sump. Additional blow-by will result in oil deposits in the intake, turbo and intercooler system. Reduced oil drain can cause oil to pool in the turbo cartridge and cause smokey exhaust and bearing failure. It is recommended to upgrade the engine breather system and install oil catch cans or air/oil separators to mitigate these potential problems.