D Car — July 2004

Q. How long should I warm up the engine? A. You don’t have to be too strict, but about one minute is enough. That gives the oil time to circulate through the turbo. In winter, wait until warm air starts coming from the heater. Q. Do I need a turbo timer? A. It’s handy but not essential. After hard driving, remember to idle briefly so the turbine can cool. Q. What oil should I use? A. 100% synthetic oil is recommended. About 3,000 km is a good change interval. Q. Are turbochargers different in America and Japan? A. Preferences differ: American builds often favor “dokka-turbo,” emphasizing maximum power, while Japanese setups tend to focus on acceleration response. The difference reflects the driving environments.

SPEED STAR

Turbo…

Even a monkey can understand…

Turbo Tips 4

What is a turbo? You know it is a power-up device, right? Then explain—in 100 words or fewer—exactly how it makes power. If that feels impossible, your turbo knowledge is at monkey level. Say “ooki” and be done with it. Or read this page and grow into a proper human being…at least enough to say “ba-boo.”

Craft Square

YOKOMO

Dill…

FALKEN

YOKOMO

yokomo.com

Mr. HKS’s S15, which helped with this feature. The vinyl is decorated with a turbo motif just for the occasion (just kidding).

VERTEX

ENDLESS

For the first of our Turbo Tips, let’s learn why a turbo increases power and get a rough idea of how one is built.

Force more air and fuel into the engine

That is the turbo’s job!

Do you know how an engine makes power? It burns an air-fuel mixture…

Intake

Exhaust

How a turbo works

Air cleaner

Turbine

Using exhaust gases…

…to send air into the engine…

…and increase power.

Intercooler

Actuator

Engine

The engine draws in an air-fuel mixture through a valve, compresses it with the piston, then ignites it with the spark plug. The explosion creates power. If we could pack more of that mixture into the engine…

Muffler

…we could make more power, right? That’s where the turbo comes in. A turbo is built like a shaft with a fan at each end. Exhaust spins one fan, which turns the other fan and forces more air into the engine. The added air is mixed with more fuel, producing a bigger explosion—and more power.

Turbo Q&A

…is that right?

A. There’s no need to be overly strict, but around one minute is enough…

D Car — July 2004

About this issue

Page 178 — English draft translation