I know how a turbo works, but what's the difference in stages of turbo. Apparently there are 4 stages, with the 4th stage allowing you to apply maximum psi of boost to your engine. What makes them different?

 

i think its just a loose term to define the different stages of tune. stage one is like, cheap basic setup. stage two adds a little more. stage three adds more to that, and so on. i dont think theres any strict definition of each stage. atleast that was my understanding of it.

 

Have you ever noticed that if you buy nikes you're one size, but if you buy adidas, it's a slightly different size.

Stages are like that.

-PHiZ

 

Put the controller down.

 

dude total crap,it all depends on what company makes what stage.
if you buy a hybrid turbo it's good for so much psi and so much power.most stage 3 hybrids can easily make 600+ hp. the turbo's are different sizes .fuel management is different,there tons of things different between set ups.

 

It would be better if you gave us a link to the specs of the particular turbos you're talking about.

 

Yeah, I still don't really understand how stages differ. What the hell is a hybrid turbo? We need to source some web resources about turbos for this one because no one really seems to know. I couldn't find any myself...

 

A hybrid turbo is basically a turbo that uses parts from more than one turbo. Like t3/t4, that's a hybrid turbo. Don't worry too much about stages, because like most people said, they are pretty irrelevant.

 

stages are just a way of delineating a vendors turbo setups for the same car...as mentioned above

usually a stage one kit is non intercooled and has an FMU (no fuel ecu or ignition timing)...this is something you can run 4psi in

stage 2 usually adds intercooling (mainly air to air) and maybe step up from an FMU to a piggyback with extra injectors or replacing the main injectors...this keeps stock internals...you can boost up to 10 psi depending on your stock compression

stage 3 usually upgrades to a standalone ecu or a programmable unit, maybe a larger compressor housing on the stock turbo, beginning of forged internals are required including fuel and timing control...this is running up to 20psi or even higher depending on the car

stage 4 and up is complete engine build along with a specific turbo application for maximum power...20-30+ psi

if you are talking stages for a car that is boosted from the factory then that changes the playing field as a boosted car starts at least step 2 but with a factory ecu running fuel management and maybe timing

 

Thanks Jaje. That was the answer I was looking for.