Why a Turbo Timer?

[BremertonMSP]

Cruising through the posts, I see there are a number of you run a turbo timer. I'd like to know why do you run one?

I'd also like to hear from the folks who don't run one, and is it just financial thing, or do you think you just don't require one?

Just looking for some input on a decision, not a flame war please

Thanks

 

[mikesmazda155]

Cruising through the posts, I see there are a number of you run a turbo timer. I'd like to know why do you run one?

I'd also like to hear from the folks who don't run one, and is it just financial thing, or do you think you just don't require one?

Just looking for some input on a decision, not a flame war please

Thanks

Well it is bad for the turbo if you run it hard then stop and shut your car off. The reason for a turbo timer is for the oil to cool off the turbo, before the car shuts off. I have ran my car to over 100 on numerous occasions and I am sure that many people here have, but have you ever stopped on the side of the road after running at that speed and looked at you turban housing glowing red. If you were to shut your engine off after running like that think of the oil still in the turbo, what happens to that? Wouldn't it build up? Just my 2 cents, maybe something to think about.

 

[ForceFed]

TT's are primarily for prolonging the life of the turbo,and most provide a few extra features that are just an added bonus.Mikesmazda pretty much hit the nail on the head in his post!TT's are relatively inexpensive(any where from $80 and up)and are a worthwhile investment when you consider the cost of a new turbo! Just my opinion ,what do you guys think?

 

[duMb KeoLa]

what!!!, you guys are such liars!!!!



the only reason why i got a turbo timer is to look co0L when you stop, park, and your car still runs when you walk away. guys trip out like what the hell, and thats the real reason why we get them! besides that, its co0L to have a auto-start too. people will trip out seeing/hearing your car start up, and theres no one in there.


besides the joking, its really good to have just as a preventative thing to keep the turbo running good and prolong the life. i can start the car, let it idle and warm up for 5-10mins, then get in, and drive off smoothly. when i park, i just let it sit with the turbo timer on and just walk away.

you dont really need it, but if you like the fact that when you run hard before you are ready to get out, you have to wait in the car for a couple minutes or damage the turbo, its a great investment.

 

[twiztedjeckel]

yes, it is all true. just another preventitive feature somebody came up with for the turbo and the aftermarket companies have capitalized on.

but in your travels you may also have found out that the GT-25 turbos are oil and water cooled so they'll cool down quick than other turbos. do you need one? no. is it a nifty feature that does have functionality? yes.

 

[funnylittlman]

I read somewhere ( I think in Car & Driver) that our turbos have some type of cooling feature.

If we shut the cars down hot, and the turbo is hot, it creates some type of vaccume which pumps oil through the turbo to cool the bearings automatically... as the temp decreases, the oil pumping thru decreases as well..

I'm going to find the article.

As for me:
I don't have a turbo timer, but I do sit in the car for at least 1 min at idle to cool her down... it's just a nice thing to do, and I don't mind sitting in her boomin some toons

 

[Newf]

Mazda does recommend that you cool down the car after long trips for more then 30 seconds though. This warning should have been on your driverside visor when you got the car.

 

[funnylittlman]

Mazda does recommend that you cool down the car after long trips for more then 30 seconds though. This warning should have been on your driverside visor when you got the car.

Yeah,

It was on the visor under "Rule for Driving your new MazdaSpeed"

 

[funnylittlman]

Here it is

Here is the article I found....

It was on the Mazda website

and I quote:
"The water cooling lines that run to the turbo allow the unit to resist the traditional 'coking' of oil during hot engine shut-downs. When the engine is shut down and the turbo is still very hot, a thermal syphon is created in the turbo water jacket. This has the effect of thermally pumping water through the turbo to keep it cool."

Here's the link if you're interested.....

Garrett T25 Turbo

 

[RevsTo9K]

Don't believe the hype about turbo timers. The Garret GT25 is a water cooler ball bearing turbo and there is NO need for ANY additional cooling. Turbo timer are best for turbos that are not ballbearing and are not water cooled. The the only time that the turbo needs is about 30 to 45 seconds after a HARD run, and I'd like to restate, VERY HARD run. The concept of the turbo timer is right, but people have blown it way out of porportion.

It is not needed on your car. Spend the money on a more worthwhile mod.

 

[Newf]

well, in my case it came with the compustar anyhow, so it was free ... sorta

 

[yashooa]

You know dats right!

I read somewhere ( I think in Car & Driver) that our turbos have some type of cooling feature.

If we shut the cars down hot, and the turbo is hot, it creates some type of vaccume which pumps oil through the turbo to cool the bearings automatically... as the temp decreases, the oil pumping thru decreases as well..

I'm going to find the article.

As for me:
I don't have a turbo timer, but I do sit in the car for at least 1 min at idle to cool her down... it's just a nice thing to do, and I don't mind sitting in her boomin some toons

Right On! ma funny little brutha!
I sit and contemplate the works of Kid Rock, Some Slayer,
C.O.C., NPR or any number of vastly contradictory musical tastes.

Any who my wee Black Mistress gets nice and cool before I leave her.

 

[AGR]

Don't believe the hype about turbo timers. The Garret GT25 is a water cooler ball bearing turbo and there is NO need for ANY additional cooling. Turbo timer are best for turbos that are not ballbearing and are not water cooled. The the only time that the turbo needs is about 30 to 45 seconds after a HARD run, and I'd like to restate, VERY HARD run. The concept of the turbo timer is right, but people have blown it way out of porportion.

It is not needed on your car. Spend the money on a more worthwhile mod.

Well........okay, however; my Blitz is a Boost Gauge as well as a Turbo Timer. So, I grin from all angles.

 

[funnylittlman]

Re: You know dats right!

Right On! ma funny little brutha!
I sit and contemplate the works of Kid Rock, Some Slayer,
C.O.C., NPR or any number of vastly contradictory musical tastes.

Any who my wee Black Mistress gets nice and cool before I leave her.

(rockon) yashooa, you're hilarious! lol

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

i have a different reason for a turbo timer. i'm usually late for class and can't afford the 30sec. waiting in my car. ever since i got my mazda, i've been late more often. b/c of waiting for 30 sec. i know its only 30 sec. but they make a difference when you get to school 2 min b4 the bell!!!

 

[turboge]

It is not necessary, but won't hurt. Theres just something about looking at a glowing orange turbine housing that makes me think letting the car cool down a little bit might be better for it.

Don't spend $200 on a turbo timer, a nice $50 is plenty.

 

[RevsTo9K]

If you have the MSp the 30 seconds isn't needed. I think you missed the above post where I said that a water cooled turbo doesn't need any extra cooling. It's your money though, you can waste it as you see fit.

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

but the manual says to wait 30 sec. and my salesman said to wait 30 seconds (he drives 3rd gen rx7tt). all my scooby friends say wait 30 seconds (they really don't have to but they do) cuz its healthy for the car.

 

[RevsTo9K]

The biggest fact here is that this subject has been blown out of proportion by tuners. If you go up to any mechanical engineer or aerospace engineer who know the things they build like the backs of their hands, they will all say that newer turbos, especially watercooled turbos do not need aditional cooling.

 

[turboge]

Driver preference, mechanically un-necessary.