Here's a simplified explanation:

A turbo is a turbine which is driven by the exhaust gasses as they leave the engine. It is basically an air compressor which is used to pump additional air into the engine.

To create work, you need to burn fuel. To burn fuel, you need oxygen- the more oxygen available, the more fuel that can be burned and hence the greater the power output of the engine. This is why an engine with a larger displacement is more powerful. By pressurizing the cylinders with a larger amount of air by turbocharging (this can also be done with a supercharger which does the same thing only the compressor is driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft) You can burn more fuel and create more power. Another way this can be done is by burning your fuel in a gas which is richer in oxygen than normal air like Nitrous oxide.

Turbo not only offers greater power output, but when you don't need the power, the car can still get the fuel economy of the smaller engine- this is a huge advantage for Saab as while a V8 might provide more power- its always there, even when you're idling. And all this power is energy which would otherwise go out of the tailpipe.

One big disadvantage of turbo is "turbo lag" which is the time it takes the turbo to come to operating speed although this is hardly an issue on modern turbocharged cars.

Regular or Super fuel- its up to you. For maximum power you must use super, but a Saab will run on regular if you want it to with no damage- you just won't get maximum power output. There is an explanation for this, but its lunch time and I'm hungry, also I'm sure many others will pitch in on this topic.

bRAD



posted by 65.123.118...

• Quick questions, Scott, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 08:35:12
  • Just think of it as having a V8 when you need the power, J, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 10:35:41
    • I am addicted, Bart, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 16:12:48
  • It means it uses a device called "turbocharger" (+), Vlad, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 09:07:03
  • Turbo= free power. (or otherwise wasted power anyhow), bRAD, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 09:06:30 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Turbo= free power. (or otherwise wasted power anyhow), Dean, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 10:33:44
      • Turbo= almost free power?, REM in Seattle , Wed, 18 Jun 2003 11:37:50
      • I don't disagree, but..., bRAD, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 10:54:21
        • Re: I don't disagree, but..., Dean, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 11:55:19
          • OK..., bRAD, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:02:17
            • small displacement engine with turbo more efficient, J, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 20:59:47
  • Turbos, lowbar, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 09:02:44
    • No free lunch here., Charles, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 13:41:25

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