Upgrade your turbo - a guide to more power
What does it take to upgrade the turbo? We walk through turbo upgrades, supporting modifications and what you should keep in mind.
What does a turbo do?
A turbocharger uses the energy in the exhaust gases to drive a compressor that forces more air into the engine. More air means more fuel can be burned per power stroke, which gives more power without the engine having to be physically larger.
Standard turbos are sized for a balance between response, power, drivability and service life. An upgrade means shifting that balance towards more power, but it requires taking the whole picture into account.
Options for a turbo upgrade
There are several routes to take depending on how much more power you want:
Hybrid turbo
Based on the existing turbo housing but with upgraded internals. More power while keeping the original fitment.
Larger turbo
Switching to a completely different, larger turbo. Gives more top-end power but often poorer response. Requires custom piping.
Twin-scroll upgrade
Separates the exhaust pulses from different cylinders. Gives dramatically better response and smoother boost.
What else is needed?
A turbo upgrade affects the entire engine system. Here are supporting measures that are often needed:
Engine management (ECU remapping)
Fuel quantity, ignition and boost must be adjusted to make use of the new turbo's capacity. Without a tailored map you risk engine damage.
Injectors and fuel pump
A larger turbo needs more fuel. The factory injectors are often not enough, and the fuel pump may need upgrading.
Intercooler
More boost gives hotter charge air. A larger intercooler lowers the temperature and reduces the risk of knock.
Exhaust system
Freer exhaust flow with a downpipe and sports exhaust reduces backpressure and improves how the turbo works.
Clutch and drivetrain
More power loads the clutch and drivetrain. An uprated clutch may be needed to handle the increased torque.
How much more power?
It varies enormously depending on the engine, starting power and budget. As a rough guide, a hybrid turbo can give 20-40% more power, while a full turbo upgrade with supporting modifications can give 50-100% or more.
Consider the engine's baseline condition
Before you upgrade the turbo, the engine should be in good condition. Worn cylinders, poor compression or worn bearings will not take the extra load. An engine reconditioning before the turbo upgrade gives you a solid foundation to build on.
Read more about engine reconditioning →
At Meksta we offer turbo upgrades as part of our performance service. We can also measure the result on our hub dyno to verify the power gain and fine-tune the map.
Read more about turbo upgrades at Meksta →
Does the turbo need reconditioning first? Read about turbo reconditioning →
Ready to take the next step?
About the author
Robert Wiklund has worked with engines for over 30 years, including for Mazda Rally Team Europe and GM's rally programme. He founded Meksta in 2023.
Read more about Meksta →Does your engine need reconditioning or tuning?
Contact us for expert advice, whether it is a crankshaft, a turbo upgrade or cylinder boring.