Pulled from another thread, lets discuss
The turbo "forces" (compresses) air down the engines throat, the more air it forces (could be volume or pressure) into the engine, the more power it will make. That is why you can get a turbo1000cc engine to produce the power of a NA 2000cc engine (NA=naturally aspirated = non turbo), you are FORCING more air through the smaller engine. This saves weight and packaging, you can use a smaller engine and get simular or better power with a turbo setup.
Yes! a BOV (blow off valve) has a couple of benefits.
When the throttle is closed (let off) after the turbo has started making boost a couple of things happen. First the engine is not consuming the air (throttle body is closed) so the air has nowhere to go.. This creates "back pressure" on the turbo compressor wheel, trying to stop its rotation. Also at the same time the exhaust energy has dropped off In the turbine side (exhaust side), thus not driving the turbine/compressor (directly connected) on the turbo. So you have high back pressure on the compressor and no "drive" of the turbine.. this creates the "lag" you feel when you are in and out of the throttle as the turbo has to overcome the back pressure/loss of drive in order to "spool up" again...
with a BOV when the throttle is closed, the BOV opens and "bleeds off/dumps" all the extra "built up" pressure in the intake (less resistance) making it easier to "spool up". So the car will feel more responsive when in and out of boost, especially at high boost/throttle levels.
The BOV also helps turbo life in regards to what was discussed above... when driving the car aggressively in and out of boost sometime you will hear a "cha cha cha" sound when letting out of the throttle.. that is the compressor "stalling" due to HIGH BOOST and LOW DRIVE on the compressor/ turbine.. so basically you are trying to "stop" the turbo from spinning or causing it to "stall" as the air rushes OUT of the turbo INLET (backwards)... This is where the "cha cha cha" sound is coming from, air coming out backwards, almost like the turbo is "throwing up". This can be hard on the turbo "shaft" (connects compressor and turbine) and can result in breakage of the shaft and or damage to the thrust bearings if severe/repeated enough...
The BOV will take care of all of these issues... so you get a more reliable/better life for the turbo and better response and performance. Pretty much a "win win" other than cost and install, neither of which is very bad.
First thing you need to understand is an ALL ENGINES ARE AIR PUMPS! The MORE AIR they can move through them, the MORE POWER they make. However the more air you move or the faster you move it (turbo), inertia comes more into play. When the air has to stop abruptly or change directions (letting off the throttle) it has a major effect on the inertia of the air flow, especially engines with turbos as Canam uses in the X3. The air need somewhere to go or the "pipes" gets backed up (boost tubes, intercooler), making it difficult for the turbo to "work".
The turbo "forces" (compresses) air down the engines throat, the more air it forces (could be volume or pressure) into the engine, the more power it will make. That is why you can get a turbo1000cc engine to produce the power of a NA 2000cc engine (NA=naturally aspirated = non turbo), you are FORCING more air through the smaller engine. This saves weight and packaging, you can use a smaller engine and get simular or better power with a turbo setup.
Yes! a BOV (blow off valve) has a couple of benefits.
When the throttle is closed (let off) after the turbo has started making boost a couple of things happen. First the engine is not consuming the air (throttle body is closed) so the air has nowhere to go.. This creates "back pressure" on the turbo compressor wheel, trying to stop its rotation. Also at the same time the exhaust energy has dropped off In the turbine side (exhaust side), thus not driving the turbine/compressor (directly connected) on the turbo. So you have high back pressure on the compressor and no "drive" of the turbine.. this creates the "lag" you feel when you are in and out of the throttle as the turbo has to overcome the back pressure/loss of drive in order to "spool up" again...
with a BOV when the throttle is closed, the BOV opens and "bleeds off/dumps" all the extra "built up" pressure in the intake (less resistance) making it easier to "spool up". So the car will feel more responsive when in and out of boost, especially at high boost/throttle levels.
The BOV also helps turbo life in regards to what was discussed above... when driving the car aggressively in and out of boost sometime you will hear a "cha cha cha" sound when letting out of the throttle.. that is the compressor "stalling" due to HIGH BOOST and LOW DRIVE on the compressor/ turbine.. so basically you are trying to "stop" the turbo from spinning or causing it to "stall" as the air rushes OUT of the turbo INLET (backwards)... This is where the "cha cha cha" sound is coming from, air coming out backwards, almost like the turbo is "throwing up". This can be hard on the turbo "shaft" (connects compressor and turbine) and can result in breakage of the shaft and or damage to the thrust bearings if severe/repeated enough...
The BOV will take care of all of these issues... so you get a more reliable/better life for the turbo and better response and performance. Pretty much a "win win" other than cost and install, neither of which is very bad.
