Originally Posted by racerdave
If you buy a new car that has stock forced induction, the motor is built around the turbo/supercharger, so in other words, the compression is different, and the internals are different to withstand the pressure, and other things like hotspots and such.
First off, thanks for the well though out response.
I actually have done my research. I understand that the compression ratio on turbo designed cars is lower to compensate for the turbo to avoid detonation. It also points to why the Edelbrock kit was designed only to blow 6 psi (and requires the 91 octane gas) on the D16Y8 and why the subie blows 15psi at stock.
But I guess I don't know about "hotspots". What are those?
It sounds like a Subaru WRX would be a good car for you, it is a very nice daily driver and good on gas, and you have the option of many different models and motor size and turbo or no turbo. Also its all wheel drive...
Yeah, the WRX is pretty much top of my list at this point, especially since it also comes as a 4 door hatch. It's just so hard to tear myself away from Honda when it's been so good to me.
- what do I have to expect with a turbo from a longevity and maintenance standpoint?
A- That depends on many things: How much boost you run? How the car is driven? How you drive the car when you drive it?
I was tryiing to convey a relative comparison. So if a stock Civic is driven normally with hard acceleration sometimes how about if it has a turbo kit (like the edelbrock) with the SAME DRIVING CONDITIONS. Take the Edelbrock kit as an example: 6psi for the D16Y8.
- how long do turbos last before needing servicing? and what does that involve?
A- On average a turbo will last the life of the motor, as long as you do regular maintenance, and dont run a crazy amount of boost all of the time. Turbos are water/oil or just oil cooled, and heat is the #1 cause of parts failure. So as long as they stay well oil'd/cool'd then it should be fine. After a long peroid of time, you will start to get shaft play, and if you desire, you can get the turbo rebuilt, or buy a new one.
Thanks.
does it increase breakdown of the piston rings or any other internals? (compared to just VTECing instead)
A- That depends on: If it is a stock turbocharged car, or if you add a turbo to a motor that was not designed for forced induction.
Ok, let's take the Edelbrock kit and the D16Y8 as an example.
Also VTECing is not a word, I would recomend doing some research on Honda and (vtec) and finding out what it is befor you get the crap flamed out of you on this forum...
Yes, I made that up. People would seriously be sore about a goof term like that?
I thought it would be obvious I was referring to (VETECing =) "accelerating your VTEC equipped Honda engine past the RPM point where VTEC kicks in and uses the more aggressive cam profile"
with more mechanical parts and a more complicated system, how much more often does something break? (assuming the same driving conditions if you didn't have the turbo)
A- Again this depends on: If the car comes stock with a turbo, or if you add a turbo to a motor that was not designed for forced induction.
Ok, let's take the Edelbrock kit and the D16Y8 as an example.