** Turbochargers: How they work

This picture shows where the turbocharger is located in the car. They allow the engine to burn ore fuel and air by packing more into the existing cylinders. The typical boost provided by the turbocharger is 6-8 pounds per sq. inch [psi] . Since normal atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi at sea level, you get about 50% more air into the engine. Therefore, you would expect to get about 50% more power. It's not perfectly efficient - so you might get a 30-40% improvement instead.



The turbocharger is bolted to the exhaust manifold of the engine. The exhaust from the cylinders spins the turbine, which works like a gas turbine engine. The turbine is connected by a shaft to the compressor, which is located between the air filter and the intake manifold. The compressor pressurizes the air going into the pistons.


The exhaust from the cylinders passes throughthe turbine blades, causing the turbine to spin. The more exhaust that goes through the blades, the faster they spin.