Get ready for some strict tech talk:  A turbocharger is an air compressor that is powered using a turbine that is spun by the exhaust gases of the engine. This form of forced induction is able to increase the amount of compressed air that passes into the engine which results in higher fuel consumption and more horsepower. The turbocharger is attached to the engine at the exhaust manifold and intake manifold. Exhaust that is blown out from the cylinders is used to spin the turbine that sends air into the intake. The turbine and compressor are connected by a shaft that spins compressed air into the the air intercooler. Afterwards, the compressed air is passed into the engine via the intake manifold. Typically, the turbocharger can provide up to 8 pounds of additional boost per square inch. This allows engines to intake up to 40 percent more of the surrounding air which equals additional horsepower and the ability to smoke that annoying guy in the Corvette.

Got all that?  Good.  There’s more.  A wastegate is also an important part 

of the turbocharger that will allow management of excess air pressure in the turbine. This prevents an excessive amount of pressure on the compressor output. In addition, the wastegate is used to prevent turbo lag during speeding up and reduce turbine spinning at excessively high speeds. 

Also important:  When choosing which turbocharger will be right for your vehicle, it is necessary to choose between ball bearings or fluid bearings. The turbines that are found inside of a turbocharger are capable of spinning up to 150,000 times per minute. Due to the speed of the turbines, the turbocharger is known to get excessively hot, perhaps even hotter than the sun. Ball bearing turbochargers are used in applications where additional stress and reliability are needed for the center housing. Fluid bearing turbochargers take additional time to reduce turbine speeds but cost less than their ball bearing counterparts.

Another issue to consider is whether weight is an issue when choosing your turbocharger. Traditional turbos are made from steel and are considerably heavier than ceramic versions. Ceramic turbochargers are lighter and are better at withstanding high heats. If speed is your best friend and main concern, a ball bearing ceramic turbocharger is your best bet to increase horsepower and reliability. These precision components are very susceptible to damage if they are not installed correctly. Therefore, it is recommended that only a certified mechanic install this after-market part to ensure that it works to its fullest potential.earing turbochargers take additional time to reduce turbine speeds but cost less than their ball bearing counterparts.