Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 06:22:16 GMT From: "pablo" <pablo.at.simplynopsamre.dot.net> Subject: Re: Ok, can somebody please tell me the advantages and disadvantages of turbo?
I don't think anyone can produce any statistics that show that turbos have some designed-in reliability issue. Engineering book in hand, there's no reason why they should. The "more moving parts" does not hold water when keeping in mind turbos are actually very simple mechanical devices, and that the altrnative is a V6 or V8 with *far* more moving parts subjected to far more mechanical stress than turbos, which merely spool in very predictable fashion. Cylinder heads and valves are subjected to far higher temperatures and pressure, just as an example. Turbo engines are extensively used in aviation, which is not known to take on design and reliability risks. Almost every propeller plane uses a turbo engine. The reasons point at the basic key advantage: more power, less weight. The only disadvantage of a turbo in an automotive application is the famous lag, but it's been engineered down to a minimum these days. The other one is the engine noise when the engine is pushed, but typically one wants some noise when flooring the throttle. On the other hand, in cruise mode many turbo engines are eerily quiet (the Saab's is). The noise is a bit more agricultural than a Beemer's I6 under load. Other V6 engines do not compare as favorably, in my opinion. ...pablo
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