Whether you want to install a turbocharger into your N/A vehicle or upgrade to something bigger, there are some things you need to know and do before you get to work. Building a turbo setup isn’t just a one-piece installation. In an N/A car, you’re fundamentally changing how the car operates at its most basic level. In a turbo upgrade scenario, you still must ensure the systems around the turbocharger itself are sufficient to support it. We’ll give you the guardrails you need to follow to maximize your chances at success the first time.
Essentials for a Turbo Setup
Although it’s not quite as simple as just bolting on a new turbocharger, don’t let the scope of this process scare you. There’s some simple things to follow, a little bit of research and theorycrafting in the middle, a basic parts list, and you’re done before you know it.
Though the list above isn’t necessarily a “one size fits all” sort of deal, those categories cover 99% of what you’ll need. Whether adding a turbo to an N/A setup, or upgrading a turbo, the recipe for success is the same:
Flow enough fuel to meet the increase in air entering the engine (Fuel pump & Injectors), have a way to monitor the air/fuel mixture (Wideband / AFR), cool that air down before it hits the throttle body and bleed off the excess efficiently (Intercooler, BOV), get a proper tune after all parts have been installed.
On that last point, flash tuners can still be beneficial but not the complete picture. A custom pro tune is all but mandatory, however, many will tune on platforms such as Cobb. In that scenario, grabbing yourself a Cobb Accessport will ensure you have everything you need for the tuner to do their job.
Turbo Upgrades by Group
The following categories will vary in relevancy depending on your specific car, however, we’ve grouped them in one place to try and make finding what you need a bit easier.
For example, many cars will not need a separate inlet pipe upgrade or an upgraded MAP sensor. It’s best to do your own research, or give us a call if you’re unsure at any point of this process.
Intake
Intercoolers, Piping and BOV’s
Exhaust Mods
Fuel System Mods
Fuel Pressure Regulators and Kits
Engine Tuning
Common Traps and Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the Wrong Turbo Size
Huge turbos look awesome, and assuming your setup can handle it, bigger must be better right? Not always.
Choosing the right size turbocharger can be as simple or as complicated as you’d like it to be. We’re going to try and stay on the simple side, and summarize the selection process down to a point or two.
Let’s say your power goal is 500whp, and you’ve done your research to ensure all systems supporting the new turbocharger are sufficient. Now what? Do you search “500hp turbo” on Google and go with whichever option you afford? Not quite.
Without getting into the nitty gritty of understanding compressor maps, flow rates, and other nerdy (but cool) stats, we suggest you aim for a turbo capable of supporting 15-25% more than your horsepower goal. Doing this prevents you from running that new (and expensive) turbocharger at its limit, which increases the risk of premature failure.
By allowing some headroom, you take unnecessary stress off of the turbo itself, prolonging its life and future proofing your setup at the same time. We’d recommend following this strategy to all supporting parts as well for the same reasons.
After that, the last consideration will be cost and turbocharger construction. Billet compressor wheels and ball bearing construction will allow for faster spool time and response, but come at increased cost. Alternatively, journal bearing turbochargers and cast compressor wheels are more cost effective, and although they may not perform quite as well as their more expensive counterparts, they will still offer substantial performance increases and are easier on your wallet.
Missing Supporting Mods
Upgrading your turbo is not the time to cut any corners; it’s that simple. To the degree you invest in quality supporting mods (fuel system, intercooler and exhaust, boost control, etc.), you will decrease your risk of encountering issues, and increase your chances of a setup that performs properly.
Forgetting to Tune
Whether you’re adding a turbo to an N/A setup, or upgrading an existing turbo, the tune is even more important than the parts themselves. Though flash tuners are generally safe to use for stock turbo and bolt-on setups, a pro tune is going to be necessary.
That said, choosing a tuning platform is still an important step. Whether it’s Cobb, KTuner, Hondata flash tuners or full blown ECU’s such as Haltech or Link, you’ll want to do some research and decide which platform is right for you, and your build.
Improper Heat Management
More boost means more heat, and lots of it. Adding heat shields, oil cooling upgrades, and an upgraded intercooler are going to be essential pieces of the puzzle. Heat is the enemy!
Improper Oil Setup
Turbochargers need oil, that’s no secret, but getting balance correct is very important. Most turbo manufacturers have resources available to help you select the right size oil feeds and drains for your setup, and it’s crucial to follow those guidelines and ask questions if you’re unsure.
Too much oil leads to burning it and pushing it through the turbo itself into the exhaust. To little oil never leads to anything good.
We are here and happy to help with any questions you may have when setting this up!
Boost Control Issues
Boost control as a system is a combination of your blow off valve, wastegate, and boost controller. The good news is, most modern setups will run off of electronic boost control, controlled by the ECU and manipulated within the tune we mentioned earlier; this will control most of these components for you. Additionally, many “stock frame” or OEM replacement style turbochargers will have an internal wastegate, making this even easier.
When this system is working properly, you achieve your specified boost target while keeping the engine safe from potential damage. If you’re unsure what your setup requirements are, we’re here and ready to lend a hand.
Installation Mistakes
Nobody makes mistakes when installing parts like this on purpose, but it happens. Ensuring proper operation of all modifications you’ve installed is a critical piece of a successful turbo setup.
Taking extra time up front to check for fuel leaks, boost leaks, and any other fitment issues or conflicts will save you heaps of time down the road.
Shop Turbo Upgrades at MAPerformance
Shop for parts to upgrade your turbo system at MAPerformance! Check out our wide inventory of performance mods to dial in your ride. If you have questions along the way, our team is ready to answer your questions and give you accurate fitment details so you don’t have to second guess about the parts you’re ordering. If you want to learn more about turbos or other performance mods, our blog has tons of guides, articles, and how-to’s to get you started.
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