How Much Does It Cost to Install a Turbocharger
Car lovers always try to boost their speed to find eternity. Our cars have limited power, so they cannot do that frequently. So car enthusiastic people searching a way to increase the speed with efficiency. Turbo is the best option for them. Though they don't have an exact idea of how to do that? and how much does it cost to turbo a car?. We are going to share with you every pro and con regarding the turbo cost.
How much does it cost to turbo a car?
Usually, a new low-end turbocharger is going to cost between $400 to $2,000. But if you find a suitably used turbo for your car, it will cut your cost in half. Turbo varies from one model to another model and cost also depends on the base of the model.
The cost of turbo goes higher from $10000 to $40000 if the client has a special recommendation. Labor cost is very high; it's $90-$120 per hour.
Turbo Installation Cost Summary
The cost of a turbo car is largely determined by two factors. First, turbo cost and then labor cost. Here's a summary of the cost to turbo a car
| Types of Turbo | Price Range |
| Low-end Turbo | $400-$2000 |
| High-end Turbo | $1000-$40000 |
| Labor Cost | $90-$120 (per hour) |
How much does a turbocharger cost?
When you want to spend money on the turbo you have to think of two things one is turbo price & another one is labor cost. Different types of a car need different types of the turbo so expenses vary from model to model. But you can get the turbo for $400.
The price of the turbo will increase with the quality. Labor costs will vary from store to store. It depends on how much time it takes to fix the turbo. It may take a minimum of one and a half hours to fix & the cost per hour is $90-$120.
Labor Cost in replacing Turbocharger
The average labor cost for replacing the turbocharger is approximately $1800-$2200. Where the cost is divided into two parts. One is labor another is parts. The labor cost is around $450-$600 and the parts are about $1350-$1600. Though labor costs will increase if the process takes time. Classical car (don't have A/C) needs 6-10 hours to replace a turbo. The car with A/C can take 5-7 hours more to finish the job.
DIY cost to turbo a car
Turbo engines are a bit costly and it needs extra wiring and tubing for functioning properly. This doesn't take too much time but it needs some critical work to be done. One thing goes wrong then all the money you spend just waste in few seconds. Don't do it by yourself if you don't know or it's your first time. Hire an expert by spending a couple of bucks which will safety our investment.
What is the turbo?
A turbocharger, commonly known as a turbo, is a turbo engine that increases an internal combustion engine's power by forcefully inducing additional air into the combustion chamber. The most common types of turbocharged engines include trucks, cars, trains, aircraft, and construction equipment.
How does a turbo work?
In theory, a turbo is simply a hot pump that forces more air into the engine. More air engines can generate power more efficiently and improving performance reducing fuel consumption and cutting emissions. The turbo is mounted in the exhaust system between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe as exhaust gas exits the engine its drives the turbine which turns the compressor pulling in air and compressing it. Oil passes through the turbo providing vital lubrication. Here you can know a lot of information about the cost of an exhaust pipe in a car.
In practice, the turbo is a highly efficient complex piece of engineering built to tolerances of thousands of a millimeter. It comprises a turbine and compressor connected by a shaft supported by a bearing system. The turbo is driven by the waste energy from the exhaust gas. This gas enters via the turbine housing turns the turbine and leaves through the exhaust outlet.
Exhaust gas temperatures can reach 950 C which means that high-temperature materials are also needed for the turbine wheel & turbo housing. The speed and load of the engine determine how fast the turbine wheel spins with the engine at idle the turbine spins at minimal speed as more gas passes through the turbine housing. The turbine rotates faster at full speed the turbine wheel can rotate it up to 360 thousand rpm. That's six thousand revs per second.
The compressor wheel is connected to the turbine by a forged steel shaft and is powered by the spinning turbine. Air is drawn into the compressor housing by the compressor wheel and is compressed as the blades spin at high velocity. The shape of the housing converts the high-velocity low-pressure air stream into a low-velocity high-pressure air stream at the outlet.
Air enters the compressor at an ambient temperature that leaves it at up to 200 degrees C. As air pressure increases its density decreases which reduces power. So it's usually passed through charged air cooler or intercooler which uses air or water to cool the hot high-pressure air. The forged shaft linking the turbine and compressor runs in a bearing housing lubricated by oil from the engine.
The oil is fed under pressure into the bearing housing to the journal bearings and thrust system. The oil also acts as a coolant taking away heat generated by the turbine. The journal bearings float o a film of oil between the bearing and shaft & bearing and housing.
The clearances for these oil films are critical. At both ends of airing housing are unique oil seals. Totally unlike normal engine oil seals; they are specially designed to cope with the turbos extreme temperatures and pressures and help ensure that oil does not leak either compressor or turbine housings.
What are the benefits of a Turbo or Turbocharged engine
Turbo can give you a pleasant ride with the additional power it can generate. An obvious advantage of a turbo engine is that it provides more power due to an intake of air, resulting in a far more powerful ride. Turbo engines are smaller than non-turbo engines. In power, they both compete with each other through Turbo wins in speed and efficiency. Here is a great study of how much a turbocharger can save fuel, the study says it can save $240 to $1,680 in fuel costs if you use turbochargers.
Turbo engine produces less noise than regular because it's size smaller & lighter than a regular engine. Its works as an additional silencer.
A turbo engine uses exhaust gases to convert waste energy into engine power. Fuel economy can be gained through it and it also reduces carbon emissions. So can we say Turbo is environmentally friendly? Compare to non-turbo engines, turbo engines' power is far greater than them.
What is the Difference Between Turbocharger vs. Supercharger
Both of them are powerful but which one is better or more reliable?
- If you talk about the speed then a supercharger can produce more power in a short time than a turbocharger.
- Price is also a big part. Turbo's prices are far more reasonable than super's.
- Turbochargers have heating issues which electric superchargers haven't face any of these issues.
- Super's sounds louder than a turbo.
- In fuel efficiency, turbocharging is better than super because it works at a low average RPM rate.
If you afford both of them then we will suggest Supercharger; It is more reliable overall. More you can read here: https://www.forbes.com/wheels/news/turbocharger-vs-supercharger-difference-better/
Now I'm answering the most common question people also asked (Turbo Turbocharger Installation): FAQ
How much horsepower does a turbo add?
Turbo will enhance your vehicle's speed and maximum performance by providing extra power output and torque as well as horsepower. You can get an extra 40 – 110 horsepower by adding a turbo to your car.
Is turbocharging your car illegal?
Turbo is a modification of the engine. It's not illegal. Every country or states have their speed or emission limit or safety inspection. When we put our hand in the modification process, we have thought that it doesn't break any law.
Can you put a turbo in any car?
A turbocharger would be capable of being installed on most naturally aspirated engines. It will work in both gasoline and diesel engine. We have to find a proper turbo which suits the engine.
How much do BMW turbos cost?
The average cost for the replacement of a BMW turbocharger assembly is between $5000 and $6000. Labor costs were between $1200 and $1800 and parts were $4000-$4500.
How does it cost to turbo a Miata?
On flying Miata, the cheapest turbo is $3800 and the highest it can go is 8 grand. In addition, it was mentioned that it takes around 16 hours to install a turbo, so that's another $1500 in labor costs.
So on average, you have to pay $5000-$10000 to turbo a Miata.
How much does it cost to turbo a civic?
Turbo a civic cost about $1500-$2000 for a full kit (headers/innercooler/turbo/ECU/exhaust/clutch) etc. You have to spend another 1 grand for labor cost.
The estimated cost to turbo a civic is around $2500-$3000.
How much does it cost to Turbo a Ford Focus?
The average cost of replacing a turbocharger assembly on a Ford Focus is between $1400 and $1600 Approximately $400 to $500 is estimated for labor, and $1100-$1401 for parts.
How much does it cost to Turbo Mustang?
Despite their mechanical complexity, superchargers are expensive. A good kit should cost a minimum of $2000-$2600, which will include the head unit, bracket, and piping for your Mustang.
Labor costs were between $1200-$2000. The average cost to turbo mustang is anywhere near $3200-$4600.
How to cut costs on a turbocharger?
You can cut your cost in half if you can fix the turbo on your own. Which is very difficult. You can justify the charge range by going separate up-gradation station.
Seeing your car they will give you a list of parts. Store-to-store parts prices will differ from each other. List price and you will buy that which matches your budget. You can purchase online because they often run the campaign.
This cost-effective guide on turbo car installation will help you in reducing your costs. Ask questions about your car's turbo or tell us about your experience. Keep reading and learn more about turbochargers, automobiles, vehicles, and other cost-related information.
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How Much Does It Cost to Install a Turbocharger
Source: https://howmuchly.com/cost-to-turbo-a-car