Turbocharger Buyers Guide for Diesel Engines

When you are ready to invest in a turbocharger kit to improve your diesel engine performance, you want to be confident that you are getting all the parts and components you need to give you the power you've been craving. It is natural that you have a lot of questions and could use some direction when it's time to make your purchase. Read about five top tips on buying a turbocharger kit. On diesel engines fitting a turbo alone will not make a huge improvement to performance. On late model electronically controlled diesel engines you need to make adjustments to the vehicle computer. The simplest way to achieve this is to install a unit like the ENG-TEK Diesel Performance Tuning Module (or performance chip), which can take as little as 15 minutes.

No. 1--Is It All There? Check to make sure that all the components, including fittings, clamps, silicone hoses, and fuel and timing management components are included, in addition to the major components. You need to verify that this is a complete kit that contains everything you will need to correctly install it, otherwise you will be out of pocket for additional items, sometimes hard to find items during the installation process.

No. 2--It's All Ball Bearings Find a kit with a ball bearing turbo, which is much more durable and exhibits more longevity than a standard thrust bearing turbo. Ball bearing turbochargers reduce the spool time of the turbocharger as well, resulting in less turbo lag. This is important light vehicles with high power to weight ratios. Ceramic ball bearings are rated indestructible and don't retain heat, making them the most common types. Ball bearing turbochargers are generally accepted as the industry standard for strong, long-lasting and durable performance.

No. 3--Nothing's Cooler than an Intercooler Ensure that your kit includes an intercooler. Since most turbocharger kits run in a range of forced induction between 6 and 10 PSI, and are powered by spent exhaust gasses, most generate an enormous amount of heated air. Some times the air temperature after the turbo can be above 120 degrees Centigrade. That's counter productive to producing more reliable power. The intercooler uses the ambient air being forced at the vehicle while driving to cool this heated air produced by the turbocharger. Cooled air becomes compressed, and the more air kept at the same relative PSI, the more can be forced into the motor. Keeping the motor cooler makes it not only more efficient and safer for the engine, but also provides more power.

No. 4--Do Your System a Favour with a Blow-Off Valve A blow-off valve should also be included in your turbo kit for every petrol engine vehicle. Since most diesel vehicles do not have a throttle plate, a blow off valve is of little benefit. This valve expels the unused air that is caught in the charge pipe in between gear shifts, or when idling down. This allows the air that is being forced into the motor from the turbocharger to be caught in the charge pipe when the throttle body closes. Rather than the air travelling back to the turbocharger were it can potentially cause damage, the air is expelled through a valve into the atmosphere (or back into the ducting prior to the turbo compressor). The blow-off valve thus clears the system and prepares it for the next charge of air without the potentially damaging shock waves that result from sudden closure of the throttle as would occur during gear changes.

No. 5--I'm Not Paying for That! Turbochargers are high-stress components, so it is crucial that you are covered in the event of malfunctions. From oiling problems to installation errors, components can be placed in jeopardy. You don't want to spend more of your hard-earned money to replace components, so a strong warranty can offer you the peace of mind of knowing that your investment is covered. Unfortunately, very few turbo companies offer warranties--especially on turbochargers due to the ease of damage from incorrect installation techniques, or operation.