Turbochargers & Components

Turbochargers have long been used to get more power from diesel engines, but their proliferation on gasoline engine vehicles is a relatively recent phenomenon. Of course, turbos are no strangers to gas engines; in 1962 GM produced the turbocharged Corvair Monza Spyder and Oldsmobile Jetfire, and in the 1980s turbochargers were the solution for many carmakers as they sought to extract more power from downsized engine performance models without a significant reduction in fuel mileage. Today, power and gas saving are still the goals as the OEM strive to give customers the performance they demand and meet government mandated CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards, but instead of just performance models now turbochargers are standard equipment on many pickup trucks, SUVs and family sedans. No matter what you drive, if it has a turbo, we have the replacement parts for the job if you need to make repairs.

The more air that can be stuffed into an engine’s cylinders, the more power it will make. More air equals more oxygen, which can be mixed with a larger amount of fuel. When the resulting mixture burns, the force that pushes down on the pistons is increased. However, cylinder filling on a naturally aspirated engine is limited by the amount of air that can be packed in by atmospheric pressure. In contrast, forced induction systems in the form of turbochargers and superchargers are essentially pumps that force air into the engine. Forced induction systems allow vehicle manufacturers to decrease engine size and increase fuel economy, and still provide drivers with the performance they want. But while a supercharger is driven by a belt and pulleys off the engine’s crankshaft, a turbocharger is driven by the engine’s exhaust flow.

A turbocharger consists of a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel that rotate on a common shaft in an aluminum housing. The turbine wheel is plumbed into the exhaust system and exhaust flow spins the turbine blades, which in turn drives the compressor wheel. The compressor section of the turbo is part of the air intake system. Air is drawn through the air filter and intake tube, compressed by the compressor wheel and forced into the intake manifold. “Boost” is the term used for the amount that intake manifold pressure is raised above atmospheric pressure. A wastegate regulates exhaust flow past the turbine to control boost, which must be limited to prevent engine damage.

The wastegate may be incorporated into the turbine housing or be an external component. The wastegate is commonly controlled by a diaphragm and spring actuator. The actuator is connected to boost pressure directly or via a boost control solenoid and some systems may include a boost controller. When boost reaches a predetermined limit, the actuator opens and allows exhaust flow to bypass the turbine wheel into the exhaust system. The bypass valve, sometimes called a cut-off or diverter valve, is another turbocharger system component that prevents damage. When the throttle is closed on a turbocharged engine, pressure can rapidly increase and if not relieved, could force air into the turbocharger in the wrong direction, which could result in turbo and/or engine damage. With a bypass valve in the system, when the throttle closes a vacuum is created that opens the valve, releasing the pressurized air back into the intake air stream before the turbo.

Today’s turbochargers are much more durable than the ones built several decades ago, and they’re designed to achieve much different performance goals. Advances in materials and lubrication and cooling design have greatly increased reliability. And unlike the turbos of old that were tuned for maximum horsepower and suffered from turbo lag, modern turbos are designed for low-end torque, and advances in electronic engine controls and features like direct injection allow turbocharged engines to operate seamlessly at higher levels of boost without engine knock. Nevertheless, turbocharger lifespan will be shortened if the vehicle isn’t maintained. Dirt and foreign material can damage compressor blades if the air filter isn’t changed regularly and the integrity of the air intake system isn’t maintained, and the turbocharger bearings can fail due to a lack of oil if the oil level is not maintained or the oil flow is restricted, or if the oil is dirty due to neglected oil changes.

Whatever turbocharger malfunction you’re experiencing, we have the replacement parts to make things right again without emptying your wallet. Here you’ll find everything from complete turbocharger assemblies to turbo repair components including turbo cartridges, compressor wheels, unison rings, auxiliary water pumps, vane position solenoids, seals, and gaskets. We also have turbo service kits that include replacements for common wear components. All remanufactured turbochargers are disassembled, cleaned, and thoroughly inspected. Any part that does not meet specifications and quality standards is replaced with new, including all bearings and seals. The rotating assemblies are dynamic balanced for proper operation and durability.