Turbocharging Explained

Video courtesy of cnet.com

Turbocharger Components

Turbochargers are devices that force air in to the cylinders of an engine to increase the power of an engine which also known as forced induction. A cylinder of an engine when given more air is able to breathe better because when more air combined with more petrol, is able to burn and ignite the mixture more efficiently and produce more power. The objective of a turbocharger is to increase volumetric efficiency by increasing the content of air in the intake gas.

Turbochargers are driven by exhaust gases which are gases produced by igniting the air-fuel mixture within the cylinders post injection in to the cylinders. The exhaust gases come out from the exhaust manifold, which in a normal car would go out to the tailpipe but in a turbocharged vehicle, the turbo intercepts the gasses and passes through the impeller(shown in photo as turbine) thus, spinning the impeller at a high speed. The compressor which is connected to the impeller then draws in cool air and compresses it and sends it through the intake manifold into the cylinders. 

The upside to this technology is that it is using wasted gas, exhaust gas to gain more efficiency and performance out of the engine. The downside of this technology is turbo lag. Turbo lag is caused because the exhaust gas required is created at the late part of the cylinders cycle (post ignition of air-fuel mixture). That's why it takes a moment or two for the turbo spool up, in other words, upon pressing the gas pedal it takes a moment or two for the turbo to deliver the boost of energy desired.