Pros and Cons of Installing a Big Turbo

Installing a big turbo in place of the stock equipment on your turbocharged car is a popular way to drastically increase performance. However knowing the pros and cons of this type of upgrade is essential to knowing if it’s really something you want to do. Although it’s tempting to cave in to the compulsion of having that extra “go” when you drop your foot on the pedal, the truth is that some people just won’t benefit as much as they might think from this kind of modification. Here are a few important things to note before shelling out the cash for a larger-than-stock turbocharger.

Legality

All 50 states now require all vehicles to comply to some sort of emissions standard to be licensed. Factory equipped vehicles are specifically configured to make sure that they meet these standards. If you alter your vehicle from its factory settings you may be required to follow specific rules to make sure your car isn’t putting out any harmful emissions because of its modifications. You’re going to have to brush up on your local and state laws before you do any modifying work on the car to make sure that you’re following all the regulations. Failure to take this step could result in a fine, or even worse, a car that you can’t license because of modifications that don’t fit state standards.

Insurance

Generally, insurance companies require you to report any engine modification that has a drastic effect on horsepower. The reason for this is that generally, cars that have more power are driven more aggressively than cars that don’t (for obvious reasons). This may seem like an easy thing to skip, but it’s very important that you follow the instructions in your insurance agreement to the letter. If you don’t, your insurance company may deny liability in case of an accident, which would leave you unprotected.

Warranties

As a rule, an upgrade of this type will automatically void any factory warranty your vehicle carries. Drastically changing your factory equipment in this way can put extra stress on your vehicle’s engine, and your car’s manufacturer will no longer cover it. Make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into when it comes to your car’s warranty before making the switch.   

Drivability

Here’s the real bread and butter of the situation: although you may look forward to your new, bigger turbo dishing out gobs of extra power, the truth is that under most circumstances it will actually have a negative effect on drivability. The larger the turbo, the bigger negative effect it will have on everyday driving. The reason for this is that turbochargers rely on exhaust energy to drive the compressor that pushes extra air into the engine. The larger the turbo, the more exhaust gases it takes to spin the turbine. This means that big turbos simply don’t perform well at low RPMs (an effect called “turbo lag”), which is where most people drive. What a big turbo does best is produce lots of horsepower and higher RPMs, which is great for the drag strip, but terrible in traffic. In addition, upgrading your car’s turbo can have a negative effect on gas mileage which can cost a lot of money in the long run.