To Turbo or Not

 

Car engines have gotten more complicated as the years have passed. Since the public demands both fuel economy and power from cars, car manufacturers have been trying hard to match these demands by introducing newer and more complex parts. To gain more horsepower and fuel economy at the same time, they started to combine small-displacement engines with turbos.

The traditional way for an engine to breathe used to be through natural aspiration. They use the atmosphere around them to feed the engine's air intake. The turbo, on the other hand, uses exhaust gases to pump pressurized air into the intake manifold of an engine, producing more power.

Naturally-aspirated engines might get affected by the changes in atmospheric pressure around the car. These engines might get choked at higher altitudes, as at these altitudes the air gets thinner, which negates some of the car’s performance. Turbo, on the other hand, makes up for the lost oxygen by forcing extra air into the engine.

Small displacements Engines with turbos attached may seem like a brilliant idea on paper. Yet, these engines are put under extreme temperatures while operating with a turbo. They need to work extra hard to haul the same chassis that is driven by their bigger counterparts. These would mean additional wear and tear, making them not last as long as expected.

Although turbo came as a ground-braking technology, it has its downsides. Some question its reliability, while others claim that it is too costly a solution. If there is one thing certain about turbos, it is that they revolutionized engine technology.