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Turbo to Engine Pipework
scootz - 29/3/17 at 07:54 PM

Another daft question...

I can understand why a naturally aspirated engine might benefit from a larger-bore intake system and throttle body, but why do turbo engine tuners also like to use larger-bore pipes / throttle bodies, etc. ?

Most turbo-charger outlets that I've seen are fairly small in diameter. They also have to push the air through restrictions such as a MAF (if fitted) and a cooler. So why would wider pipework between the turbo / MAF / cooler / throttle body (and a wider TB itself) be advantageous?

Clearly there's an obvious answer here as it seem's the norm, but I can't understand why it wouldn't just lead to 'lag' and slow the air... ???


JAG - 30/3/17 at 08:47 AM

quote:

Clearly there's an obvious answer here as it seem's the norm, but I can't understand why it wouldn't just lead to 'lag' and slow the air... ???



You're mixing two attributes of the air intake system; air flow speed and air flow resistance.

Large bore pipes will definitely reduce the flow speed (increased lag) but if they also reduce the flow resistance then it may still be worth doing.


theduck - 30/3/17 at 11:21 AM

My understanding, which could be completely wrong, is you want to keep the pipework between the turbo and intercooler small and then the intercooler to inlet larger. I have no idea why or where that came from though I must have read it somewhere.


scootz - 30/3/17 at 05:14 PM

Cheers guys.


mark chandler - 30/3/17 at 05:39 PM

It's about balancing loss through friction with response, suck water up through a straw 6" long, then cut it down to 1" and it all gets easier, double the diameter of the Straw and it gets easier but not as responsive.

You do not want to be compressing a large volume when it's not doing anything sat in pipework.