noob turbo q pt.2

[reyvin]

I've heard it said that 'such and such' turbo will allow for 'x' horsepower. But my question is: what about how much a turbo will produce? I understand that it flows and it will top out at a certain HP, but why don't we see how much 'x' will give you (in a general sense)?

 

[reyvin]

Bueller....? Bueller...?

 

[madmax]

Because it varies. The turbo is nothing but an air pump. The engine produces HP, not the turbo. The HP that the engine produces depends on more than just the turbo. And can vary even with like setups using the same turbo, that is were tuning can play a part. So, there is no way to stick a blanket HP rating on any turbo.

 

[out there]

agreed, an engine is basically a big air pump that's why intake and exhaust are (or should be) always the first things you mod. when you see things that say "good for about x hp," that's because you might be running higher or lower compression, very light engine parts, etc. and (as mentioned before) tuning the fuel system is key. if you do a little searching, you'll find some threads about people that've tossed in a big turbo, fuel pump, and big injectors only to find that their car drives horribly... the answer? fuel management, tuning <~~ this is where experience is more valuable than the biggest, baddest, scariest engine ever assembled...
did i make this a little more interesting??

 

[reyvin]

Thanks fellas, did help some.
Yes, I realize that no one can pinpoint the exact amount of hp because well...EVERY part is going to interact differently with every different car to a degree. Hence one of the reasons why very few (if any?) cars run identical to one another. No doubt tuning is a big difference also.
I guess what I was getting at is that it seems worded funny when it comes to turbos. Obviously a turbo is going to add power, but the whole 'Good for x hp' just seemed very strange. Would it be correct to say that for (example) intakes as well? Or are they more accurate in saying 'adds approximately x hp'?

 

[out there]

it all depends on how much hp you're making initially. i'd think you would have a bigger gain if you were foolish enough to keep the stock exhaust until you have a big16 running at 15psi or more, same with th intake