Heat is the biggest enemy of a turbocharged engine. The pipes that come with the engine from the factory slow it down and make it work less efficiently. To fix this, you can use a turbo pipe. But what is a turbo charge pipe?
A charge pipe is a special aluminum, stainless steel, or rubber tube. It’s bent in a specific way to replace the regular pipes that come with your engine. This new pipe connects to the intercooler pipe and the intake manifold.
This pipe is also connected to something called the diverter valve or the blow-off valve. The important thing to know is that aftermarket charge pipes, which you can buy separately, are better than the ones that come with the engine because they’re made from stronger stuff.
When you use a turbo charge pipe, it makes your engine work better. It’s designed to keep as much air pressure from the turbo as possible and lets more airflow from the turbo to the intercooler, which eventually helps your engine perform better overall.
What is the Function of a Turbo Charge Pipe?
It’s important to know that when you drive your car, the engine gets super-hot.
This heat is a big problem for turbocharged engines. So, your car’s engine has something called an intercooler. It cools down the super-hot air from the turbo before it goes back into the engine.
Your mechanic will attach the new turbo charge pipe to this intercooler. This setup lets the air go from the turbo through the charge pipe and into your car’s engine through the intake valve. Basically, the charge pipe carries the turbocharged air to the engine.
But here’s the thing: the regular pipes that come with your car are not so great. They’re weak, slow down the air, and don’t give you as many benefits as the new charge pipe. The best type of turbo charge pipe should be tough and not easily damaged by heat, bending, or cracking.
Why Would I Need a Turbo Charge Pipe?
Enhanced Engine Power & Performance
One of the primary reasons to consider a charge pipe is to boost your engine’s performance. Upgrading to a charge pipe can improve your engine’s ability to deliver more power, increasing horsepower and torque. It means your vehicle can accelerate faster and easily handle challenging driving conditions.
Reducing Back Pressure
If your vehicle’s exhaust system creates too much back pressure, it can hinder the engine’s performance. A charge pipe can be a solution to this problem. Allowing the engine to expel exhaust gases more efficiently helps decrease back pressure, which can positively impact engine performance, fuel efficiency, and even sound.
Why Do I Need to Upgrade to an Aftermarket Charge Pipe?
If you want your car to drive smoother and more comfortably, you should think about getting an aftermarket charge pipe for your turbocharged engine. The regular charge pipe with your engine is usually made of plastic, which isn’t very strong and can limit the flow of turbocharged air.
On the flip side, aftermarket charge pipes are fantastic at preventing the loss of pressure in turbocharged air. Instead of blocking the airflow, they make it better, which significantly improves how your turbocharged engine performs.
To put it simply, the turbo charge pipe plays a really important role in how well your car works. The one that comes with your car when it’s built just can’t compare to the benefits that aftermarket options offer. The original pipes aren’t strong, and they slow down the airflow. So, if you want your car to be more powerful and run smoother, it’s time to swap out that original pipe for a tougher and more efficient aftermarket one.
Now, when it comes to the turbo charge pipes made by the car manufacturer (OEM pipes), they might break at some point. Some car owners wait until their original pipes break before thinking about an upgrade, while others decide to upgrade beforehand to avoid any problems. It’s important to note that your car can still run with broken charge pipes, but you won’t get that extra boost. So, whether you choose to upgrade or not depends on whether you want to make your car more reliable and perform better.
Reasons Why You Should Upgrade to Aftermarket Charge Pipe
- Boosted Engine Efficiency: The right charge pipe can significantly elevate the performance of your turbocharged engine.
- Reliability: With a more robust pipe, you can trust your engine to perform consistently.
- Peace of Mind: An aftermarket charge pipe is less prone to wear and tear, so you’ll have fewer worries about unexpected breakdowns.
- Enhanced Sound: With a blow-off valve upgrade, your engine will perform better and sound even more exhilarating. Many find this refined engine sound captivating.
- Easy Installation: Transitioning from a plastic charge pipe to an aftermarket one is straightforward. The benefits you’ll reap certainly justify the effort put into this upgrade.
How to Select a Charge Pipe?
Material Selection
Your first decision involves picking the material for your charge pipe. The most common choices are stainless steel and aluminum, though composite materials are also available.
Pipe Size
The diameter of the pipe matters. A larger diameter means less airflow restriction, resulting in increased engine power. However, going too large might lead to turbo lag. Striking a balance between these factors is crucial.
Style Consideration
You’ll also need to select the pipe style. Two primary options are available: straight pipes and bellmouth pipes. Straight pipes are straightforward and provide excellent airflow.
Bottomline
An average turbo charge pipe is a curved tube crafted from stainless steel or aluminum, serving as a replacement for the original plastic intercooler piping in car engines. Factory-installed charge pipes are typically made of less durable plastic.
In contrast, aftermarket charge pipes are sturdier and more resilient. They are designed to reduce pressure loss in turbocharged air, substantially improving air flow from the turbo to the intercooler. These pipes are often referred to as CP upgrades because they enhance the reliability of turbocharged engines.
Contact Diesel Components Inc. today to upgrade your vehicles!
FAQs
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Can I make a turbo charge pipe by myself?
While it is technically possible to create your charge pipe, it’s a task best approached with caution. DIY turbo charge pipe fabrication should only be considered if you have a solid background in working with turbocharged engines and understand how the charge pipe fits into the engine’s operation. For those not well-versed in these concepts, leaving this job to an experienced professional is safer and wiser.
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Can I install a charge pipe on a car without a turbo?
No, installing a charge pipe on a car that lacks a turbocharger is impossible. The charge pipe’s purpose is to transport air from the turbocharger to the engine, making it ineffective without a turbocharger.
If you’re considering adding a charge pipe to your non-turbocharged car, you might explore installing a turbocharger. However, this entails ECU tuning and various other alterations, so it’s advisable to seek guidance from a professional before making any modifications to your vehicle.
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What is the difference between a charge pipe and an intercooler pipe?
An intercooler pipe transports air from the turbocharger to the intercooler, while the charge pipe conveys air from the turbocharger to the engine. Both pipes play vital roles in ensuring the turbocharged engine operates effectively.
