Jump to content

Please Explain How Turbos Function


Jimm44

Recommended Posts

I understand that turbos force air into the engine and the reason for them. My question has to do with when are turbos working. Do they work all the time or just when accelerating hard? For example, if I do 0-60 in 30 seconds is the turbo just idling in the background ready to go if you put your foot into the pedal or is the turbo constantly operating? I would imagine on a max run to 60 the turbo is running for the full 7, 8 or 9 seconds. True? Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, they are always turning but not always applying boost to the engine.   If you accelerate gently or even what most would call normally, they are not pressurizing the combustion chamber and adding boost.   In some engine applications, the boost comes on more readily than others.    I installed boost gauges in my turbo vehicles.    On my 3.5 ecoboost MKS, it took fairly quick acceleration before boost was required.   On my 3.0 Continental, I get boost with less throttle input than I did with the MKS.   Of course, either one would generate boost at heavy throttle applications. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like any other engine, turbo engines deliver best fuel economy with lighter throttle input and max power is achieved with heavy throttle.    I sort of look at turbo engines like having 2 engines in one.   Let's say you have a 3.0 liter V6 engine.   Drive it reasonably, staying out of the boost and it delivers top fuel economy like a 3.0 V6 should.    Drive it harder and it delivers power like a much larger engine...... but also uses more fuel like a much larger engine.     

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The way to understand forced induction (turbos and superchargers) is to first understand that an internal combustion engine is just an air pump.  It uses oxygen in the air to generate combustion and it adds enough fuel to match the incoming oxygen.   Air is the limiting factor - you can always add enough fuel to maintain the proper ratio.  When you open the throttle on a car you allow in more air and the computer adds fuel accordingly.

Forced induction allows more air and therefore more oxygen to enter the combustion chamber producing more power.  The faster the turbo or supercharger spins the more air gets packed in and the more power.  Nitrous works the same way because it contains a lot of oxygen.

A smaller turbocharged engine uses less fuel at light throttle but when you increase throttle it produces power like a larger engine.   That’s why you get better fuel economy when driving normally but still have excellent power when you need it.

I’ve found that ecoboost engines in particular have a wider range of fuel economy compared to the V6 or V8 engines they replace.  They can get a lot better or a lot worse depending on how they’re driven.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Heard it best described this way on a TV auto show over the weekend. A turbo takes in air and puts out happiness!!

At all operating RPM a turbo is more efficient than normal aspirated engines. However, as posted above  like any other engine gentle acceleration will yield slightly better fuel economy. Apples to apples the first gen ECO boost 4 cylinders had a bit more horse power than the prior years V8 and got better economy across the board

We can get esoteric and discuss time spent in lower gear versus time spent higher gear. Some folks believe that acceleration at a slightly harder rate will get you into a higher and more economical gear ration quicker therefore negating the excess consumption.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...