Internal Components of a Turbo

• A turbo is an upgrade for cars that takes advantage of the energy created by exhaust fumes in order to add power to the engine. It does this by using the exhaust fumes to spin a fan, which in turn spins a turbine. This turbine adds pressure to the air in the cylinders, which makes each explosion in those cylinders more powerful.

Turbine Wheel

• The turbine wheel is what the exhaust first goes through. It is a simple fan, and as the exhaust passes it, it spins, turning the exhaust's energy into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy can then be transferred into usable kinetic energy.

Shaft

• There isn't much to the shaft, but it is extremely important. It is just a metal bar that spins. It is connected to both the turbine wheel and the compression wheel, acting as the means with which energy is transferred between them.

Compressor Wheel

• The compressor wheel is where the mechanical energy turns into kinetic energy. It is an impeller--the opposite of a propeller in its shape and movement. As it turns, it sucks air in and increases its pressure. This pressurized air goes into the cylinder and increases the power of each blast.

Inlets and Outlets

• There are two inlets, one on either side of the turbo. One is on the turbine wheel side--the exhaust inlet. This is the inlet that lets exhaust in and allows it to turn the turbine wheel. The other inlet is on the compressor wheel side, and it is for outside air to come in for compression.

  There is only one outlet--the exhaust gas outlet. After all, the exhaust gas's energy has been used but it has not actually gone anywhere. This outlet is where it ultimately escapes from the car.