How to identify your turbocharger

How to identify your turbocharger

To identify your model turbocharger, you must know the original part number of the turbocharger manufacturer. It is usually engraved on a plate or simply knocked out on the compressor housing.

It is also possible to search for the original manufacturer's number (OEM, OE) of the vehicle in the catalog.

Part Number. This is the original turbocharger number, the number that is provided directly by the turbocharger manufacturer (Garrett, BorgWarner, IHI, Mitsubishi and so on).

OEM or shortly OE (original equipment manufacturer). This is the vehicle manufacturer number (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Ford, Toyota, Volvo, VW, and so on).

Both numbers are usually, but not always, present on the turbocharger. In our catalog both numbers are stored, but high priority is given to the turbo manufacturer number (Part Number). We recommend that you search for a suitable turbocharger for this particular number.

STEP ONE: Clean the plate or casing. It is very difficult to see the number, so the area needs to be washed or cleaned with a cleaner.

STEP TWO: Determine the original turbocharger number. Each brand of the turbocharger has its own number. Here are a few examples (select the manufacturer of your turbocharger data).

The largest turbine has been built in the United Kingdom. Construction of the Orbital O2 turbine began in 2019 in the United Kingdom. In April 2021, Orbital Marine Power completed assembly of the turbine and moved the 72-meter unit from a port in Denmark to a base off the Orkney Islands.

The first turbomobile

The Doble brothers, Abner and John, had succeeded in combining ancient technology with advanced styling as early as 1910. However, they also had to make considerable improvements to the technology. John did it while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - already then, the talented engineer could afford to maintain a personal workshop, in which he tested a unique capacitor of his own design. The device was designed to condense exhaust steam and was made in the form of a honeycomb radiator. With this innovation, the prototype could travel up to 2,000 kilometers on 90 liters of water, exceeding the standard mileage of a "steam car" by almost 20 times!

For its time, it was a sensation. After a stir in the press, the brothers immediately acquired investors, whose funds were enough to found the General Engineering company with authorized capital of $200 thousand. There all the further development and improvement of the cars were carried out by the pair.

What is a turbocharger and how it works?

The principle of operation of any turbocharger is based on using the energy of the exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. The flow of exhaust gases hits the turbine wheel (fixed on the shaft), thereby spinning it and at the same time spinning the compressor wheel, which forces the air into the engine cylinders.

When looking at turbocharger parameters, you immediately come across such a concept as a turbo map.

A compressor map or turbo map is a graphical representation of compressor operation in various modes.

It shows the main characteristics of the compressor:

  • compressor efficiency;
  • Turbine shaft speed;
  • range of mass flow rate;
  • the permissibility of operation at different boost pressures.

Turbine markings:

  • The turbocharger identification data is printed on a tag. The tag is attached to the "cold" part of the turbine, the compressor housing. Garrett turbine.
  • Less commonly, the tag is placed on the center bearing housing. Borg Warner Schwitzer turbine.
  • Less commonly, the tag is placed on the center bearing housing. Garrett turbine cartridge
  • Sometimes the markings are engraved directly on the compressor case pad. Garrett turbine.
  • Sometimes the markings are engraved directly on the compressor case pad. Mitsubishi(MHI) turbine.

The turbine number, serial number, turbocharger type, batch number, and the logo of the manufacturer, the concern or the car model where the turbocharger is installed are necessarily marked on the marking panel. Depending on the turbocharger manufacturer, the location of the marking panel may differ.

The marking has the following form ХХХХХХХ-ХХХХ or ХХХХХХ-ХХХХS (6 digits + hyphen + another 4 digits with the letter S or without it). Garrett turbine numbers start with 4, 7, 8. For example the number for a SCANIA DSC1180 turbine is 709574-5003S or 709574-0003, where 709574 is the turbine number, -5003S or 0003 extension.

Also, the turbine extension contains information on what market the turbine was shipped to.

XXXXXXXX-0XXX you can see such a number on your car's native turbine, as the number "0" indicates that the turbine was shipped to the factory. For example: 709574-0003. If there is a "5" in the marking instead of a "0" but without the letter S at the end, the turbine was intended for the dealer network. For example, 709574-5003. If there is a "5" in the extension and the letter S at the end, the supply was for the aftermarket. Example 709574-5003S.

Also do not forget about the presence on the market of remanufactured turbines, these are not used turbines, but the turbines were remanufactured exactly at the factory and received all the new parts (cartridge, valves, etc.), except for the housing itself. In the marking of such a turbine there is a number "9". For example, 709574-9003S.

How to identify turbochargers?

A turbo is good for oxygen enrichment of the fuel mixture. But it still has its disadvantages:

  • A turbine is a stationary device and requires a full tether to the engine;
  • at low revs it does not give much power, and only at high revs it is able to show all its power;
  • The transition from low revs to high revs is called a turbo pit, the more power the turbo has, the greater will be the turbo pit effect.

The leading turbo-turbo dealers are in Peterborough. These are well-known brands such as Honda, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Mazda.

It often happens that non-original turbines are installed on vehicles, say, Chinese-made. These devices have a low quality of parts, and the assembly itself in general (since during the assembly process can be violated technological process). This is due to the fact that not all processes are automated - much is assembled by hand. And dishonest manufacturers save time and money on many assembly requirements and final diagnostics.

Nowadays, there are already turbines that work well at high and low engine speeds, but their price is accordingly decent. When choosing a compressor or turbine, many people prefer a turbo, regardless of the price.