Turbo Testing Validity

3107 Views 27 Replies 13 Participants Last post by weweld, Sep 6, 2007

JMS1

Discussion Starter · Sep 3, 2007

I have been wanting to know how it is said one turbo is better than another, or more specifically it spools better. I believe it is almost impossible to gage this with only the ability to compare based on memory.

I believe Charles made a intelligent statement when he gave references to dyno testing and seat of the pants comparison. It may have felt like it had more power, however the dyno did not reflect that feeling.

A turbo spools so fast I do not know how you can comprehend which one is faster while reading a mechanical gage and no ability to time stamp the results. There is to much room here for inconsistency. I have tested with the ability to time stamp, however it is still not what could be labelled as good scientific data. In a technical field you could never sell devices based on this type of testing.

What about taking a vehicle with a GT38R and put it on a dyno and apply X amount of load in overdrive, initiate Y amount of throttle angle and see what boost it makes. Next would be to swap the turbo and install a Turbonetics and try the same, would this not be a more accurate way comparing.

The turbo that made more boost under seemingly identical testing would be able to claim it spools more easily. The very same testing could be made to apply to turbo surging as well. I am not a Gale Banks fan by any means, however no one can refute the ability he has to accurately test products backed with the ability to provide legitimate data.

Testing products accurately with legitimate documentation should mean something to us as consumers. For me personally I would like to see a little more hard documented testing in lei of opinions so I can make an educated choice.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

gregrob

· #2 · Sep 3, 2007

I think a good back to back dyno run should tell the story.

The powerband should show you where the turbo starts to make power, and what the gains are through the power band.

A good weekend testing on the dyno, at the drag strip, and hauling trailers would be great comparing turbos.

Companies like hypertech do it for they're electronic devices, we should be able to get this kind of info for specialized parts such as turbos.

Charles

· #3 · Sep 3, 2007

I agree with the dyno pull as a testing tool. The main reason for this is the fact that spool time is about the lowest attribute to be placed on the list of those describing a turbocharger's worth.

You could take the stock turbo from a subaru and put it on your truck and in a spoolup comparison you would be crowned winner.

Another consideration is that engine power output does not follow boost as an absolute value. My truck makes more power at any boost value now with the compounds. Even before it starts really making any boost (less than 20) it will be pulling very hard and stands a very good chance of blowing the tires off.

One turbos 30lbs might not make any more power than anothers 25 or 20lbs. Compressor efficiency and the subsequent effect on intake air temperature and the relative density of that intake air are nowhere to be found on a boost gauge.

They will show up with wonderful clarity on a dyno however.

DarkShadowDiesel

· #4 · Sep 3, 2007

scheid diesel compared the two back to back over a year ago i believe. i forget the details of the comparison etc, i'll see if i can dig something up. if i remember right the TN was down 12hp on the BB.

gregrob

· #5 · Sep 3, 2007

What about the shape of the graphs as well, not just differences in peak HP

imelmo

· #6 · Sep 3, 2007

JMS1 said:
I am not a Gale Banks fan by any means, however no one can refute the ability he has to accurately test products backed with the ability to provide legitimate data.

"Ability" being the key word.

ditch_dawg

· #7 · Sep 3, 2007

gregrob said:
What about the shape of the graphs as well, not just differences in peak HP

Fancy word...Calculus = area under the curve. Which is why a dyno would be ideal for comparisons.

gregrob

· #8 · Sep 3, 2007

Yep

DarkShadowDiesel

· #9 · Sep 3, 2007

gregrob said:
What about the shape of the graphs as well, not just differences in peak HP

i believe peak hp on one of them came a bit lower but they were close. i really am not sure. it was Les @ the Lafayette store that told me that if i remember right. this was june-july 2006 when i was looking at turbos.

JMS1

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 4, 2007

imelmo said:
"Ability" being the key word.

Danny,

I believe we have the ability to properly test these turbos, maybe the parties of interest will consider stepping up and throw a turbo in the ring. The dyno ring that is, not just on someones truck to give us a seat of the pants commentary. Dyno testing would take all the opinions, manufacture and vendor loyalty and throw it out the window. Hard figures to compare.

TerminatorEngineering

· #11 · Sep 4, 2007

But who could perform such an unbiased test? Maybe someone with full access to a dyno and writes for Diesel Tech magazine, or any other magazine?

Charles

· #12 · Sep 4, 2007

I could do it......course I'd have to want to try another turbo.

Anyone can go make some pulls. The entire testing would probably cost you about 140 bucks tops at the dyno. I'm sure you could explain your situation and probably end up around 100 bucks easy.

Just start the testing with the TN that way you woln't have to swap turbos again after the testing is done.....

:hehe:

Diezel Dawg

· #13 · Sep 4, 2007

Charles said:
I could do it......course I'd have to want to try another turbo.

Anyone can go make some pulls. The entire testing would probably cost you about 140 bucks tops at the dyno. I'm sure you could explain your situation and probably end up around 100 bucks easy.

Just start the testing with the TN that way you woln't have to swap turbos again after the testing is done.....

:hehe:

Thats a good point Garrett!!!

ditch_dawg

· #14 · Sep 4, 2007

Charles said:
I could do it......course I'd have to want to try another turbo.

Anyone can go make some pulls. The entire testing would probably cost you about 140 bucks tops at the dyno. I'm sure you could explain your situation and probably end up around 100 bucks easy.

Just start the testing with the TN that way you woln't have to swap turbos again after the testing is done.....

:hehe:

I could probably get it done for free my next trip to GA (Late Dec to early Jan). BUT I'm sure no one would step up to provide turbos. Plus, I'm runnin stock sticks....most everyone could probably care less about turbo performance with stock injectors. Plus, I'm sure there would be a whole pissin match about injectors and tunes.

TerminatorEngineering

· #15 · Sep 4, 2007

That would actually be the best truck to test, IMO.

Diezel Dawg

· #16 · Sep 4, 2007

TerminatorEngineering said:
That would actually be the best truck to test, IMO.

I agree with that. shouldnt have to worry about surging or anything like that

bigrpowr

· #17 · Sep 4, 2007

psn would love to be part of a test like that. psn would gladly throw down the $$$$ for the dyno testing . we could do it in houston, with danny and i conducting the test. that would prolly work well. we could definitely film the gauges as well to get visual on rpm vs boost. i think tn would do it, just not sure about garrett as they seem not to get into this stuff. it would have to be the tn bb vs the garrett bb.

Stroked95

· #18 · Sep 4, 2007

unless you're joe........

Diezel Dawg

· #19 · Sep 4, 2007

maybe a Sponsor would be willing to help out with the garrett BB department???

DarkShadowDiesel

· #20 · Sep 4, 2007

i am sure BWD would be willing to bring one- they do sell both.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.