AET News & Blog

Elementor #6301

Kane (Work Experience Student)

This week we have had the brilliant Kane join us for work experience from Honley High School. Kane has thrown himself into the world of turbo engineering and has really impressed us with his attitude and effort.

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Team Legacy UK

Team Legacy UK

Team Legacy UK – Hillclimb Racers Team Legacy are a racing team here in the UK currently sporting a Subaru RS MK1 and taking part in multiple hill racing competitions.

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Holeshot Racing 3

Holeshot Racing

Holeshot Racing have been customers of ours for a very longtime as well as there owner Jack ‘Frost’ being a good friend of ours. He specialises in fast road and

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Auto Draft 2

Eric Holmes

Eric Holmes has competed in the Super Lap Scotland on multiple occasions seeing 1st place finishes in his group plenty of times over. He always brings in his Precision 6767

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Darren Spooner 2

Darren Spooner

Darren Spooner has been a racer from Spoox Motorsports for a while now, competing in plenty of events across the UK in his Peugeot 205. Sporting an AET supplied and

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Martyn Henry 3

Martyn Henry

One of our supported lone racers Martyn Henry has always performed incredible in the racing seasons and events, sporting our supplied turbo giving him the power he needs. Martyn has

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Colin Dorwood 3

Colin Dorwood

Colin Dorwood races in the SLS Pro Class and other seasonal leagues and is one of the best drivers we know, often taking home the gold or close to it

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Team Cowie Racing

Team Cowie Racing

We’ve helped keep Team Cowie Racings turbo in top performance during their time in Group C at events such as Super Lap Scotland. Maintaining the quality and power needed to

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Compressor Cover Damage – Scoring 1

Compressor Cover Damage – Scoring

Compressor Cover Damage – Scoring This image illustrates scoring out of the compressor cover profile, and occurs when excessive wear and movement in either the thrust bearing or journal bearing

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Wastegate Actuator damage 1

Wastegate Actuator damage

Wastegate Actuator damage Faulty or damaged actuators are the cause of many of the turbo problems we see at AET, but they can be easy to overlook. The wastegate actuator

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David Rowe ‘EPS Ride To The Clouds’

David Rowe ‘EPS Race To The Clouds’

We had the great pleasure to provide David Rowe from EPS Race to the clouds with an aftermarket Precision Turbo for his stunning Audi Quattro. David has often worked towards improving the vehicle for his active involvement in Pikes Peak International Hill Climb over in the US! The build took a lot of hard work from his team and we’ve been more than happy to help out along the way.

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Tim Shaw's Lancia Delta Evo

Tim Shaw’s Lancia Delta Evo

In November 2017 we had a chance meeting with Tim at one of our suppliers who we were helping with an exhaust for his Audi. After a chat one thing led to another as it does (especially if you know what Tim’s like) and the badly neglected turbo from Tim’s Lancia Delta EVO appeared in our workshop a few days later.

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Aiming for 300mph on 2 wheels

Aiming for 300mph on 2 wheels

Jack’s latest run from Elvington. AET Turbos are proud to be involved in helping Jack @Holshot racing compete to win records. We have provided Jack with some fancy BorgWarner EFR turbo setups. To help get the maximum out of his bikes Jack uses a wide range of Turbosmart products on his bikes including fuel regulators, wastegates and race port BOV’s. 

 

 

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Darren @Spoox Motorsports Pug 205 GTI season update

Darren @Spoox Motorsports Pug 205 GTI season update

AET Turbos sponsors all sorts of different types of vehicle competing in racing events all over. With over 40 years of experience AET Turbos know what is required when it comes to producing and getting the best out of a turbo whilst being reliable. Read about Spoox Motorsports season so far. 

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Autonomous driving and parking futuristic ideas becoming reality

Autonomous driving and parking futuristic ideas becoming reality

Self parking, self-driving autonomous driving is something you may have seen in films like ‘total recall’ featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger or remember Will Smith in ‘I, Robot’ ?  These films have given us the impression you can sit back, watch TV, make video calls or surf the internet, all displayed on a full screen displayed on the window screen, while letting the car drive its self.  Let see how far from the truth Hollywood are?! 

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The future of driving: the biggest advancements in car technology

The future of driving: the biggest advancements in car technology

Technology is changing every aspect of our lives faster than ever before, and the automotive industry is no exception.

It’s an exciting time for car tech, as companies compete to integrate the latest developments into their models. Discover the cars of the future, today, with our round up of the 6 most exciting pieces of automotive tech set to hit the market in the coming years.

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Turbo takeover – why your next car is going to be turbocharged 1

Turbo takeover – why your next car is going to be turbocharged

Over the past decade, turbocharging has truly entered the mainstream of motoring. Once reserved for high performance models, you’re now just as likely to find a turbo fitted to a standard family hatchback as you are a sports car.

With virtually every major automotive manufacturer having now turned to the turbo, we take a look at the reasons behind the trend, and examine exactly why your next car is likely to be fitted with a turbo.

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The 5 Sporty, Family Friendly Turbo Cars

The 5 Sporty, Family Friendly Turbo Cars

So you’ve settled down, got married, and had a couple of kids….but you’re not quite ready to give up on owning a sporty motor and settling for that practical people carrier just yet? Family cars don’t have to be boring, they can be fun too. Here’s our list of the 5 best turbocharged sporty cars with enough space for the whole family. 

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What is a Turbo Actuator? 1

What is a Turbo Actuator?

Here we’re looking at the turbo actuator (also known as a wastegate actuator), showing you what it is, what it does, and why you need one, before looking at when you might need to consider upgrading and fitting a new one.

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Longing for lag - Are turbochargers changing for the worse? 3

Longing for lag – Are turbochargers changing for the worse?

Over the past few months, we’ve spent lots of time focusing on new turbo tec, and the developments that are refining turbocharging at a faster rate than ever before (check out these posts on electric turbo compounding and electric turbo tech).

The idea behind all these changes has been to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the technology, reducing lag and maximising performance. Whilst on the surface, this sounds like a worthy cause – we’re not entirely convinced.

Here’s why…

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Turbocharging - the replacement for displacement? 3

Turbocharging – the replacement for displacement?

“There’s no replacement for displacement” – so the old motoring enthusiast’s saying goes…but does it still ring true in 2015?

Whereas once, engine size was THE determining factor in the power and performance of an engine, things are definitely changing. 

As smaller engines fitted with turbochargers take over from larger naturally aspirated motors, we explore whether they can ever truly replicate the responsiveness and performance of a bigger engine. 

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Spring Soft Tops - Our Favourite Turbocharged Roadsters of 2015 1

Spring Soft Tops – Our Favourite Turbocharged Roadsters of 2015

That’s right, spring is here! With the weather improving, it’s got everyone at AET dreaming about a barbecue summer.

Whilst the British summer might be hit and miss weather wise, there’s little better than driving down an open road in a fast, 2 seater convertible, with the wind rushing through your hair on a hot summers day.

This month, we’re getting our tops down, with a list of 5 of our favourite turbocharged roadsters available in 2015, guaranteed to raise a smile when the sun is shining.

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Turbo tech 101: What is turbo lag?

Once, turbo-lag was seen as an inherent downside of turbocharging, and an inevitable compromise you had to face when choosing a turbo car.

Now, with the meteoric rise in popularity of the turbo – things are changing quickly.

In this post, we’re taking a look at turbo lag, explaining what it is, why it happens, and what manufacturers are doing to eliminate it in the near future.

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Future turbo tech – electric turbo compounding 1

Future turbo tech – electric turbo compounding

With turbocharging now firmly at the forefront of automotive development, the technology behind it is moving forward at a faster rate than ever before.

We’ve already taken a look at the rise in electric turbocharging on the blog, and previewed some exciting future developments, and now, we’re going to be looking at the concept behind it. 

In this post, we explore electric turbo compounding, examining what it is, how it works, and why the technology looks set to transform turbocharging as we know it in the near future.
 

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2015 – Year of the Turbo

2015 – Year of the Turbo

It’s a really exciting time in the world of turbocharging.

Production is up, new technology is being developed, and more and more turbocharged vehicles are coming to market. In fact, 2015 looks to be a landmark year for turbocharging, as the automotive industry continues to look for ways to maximise fuel economy and reduce emissions.

In this post, we take a closer look at why it’s fair to call 2015 the year of the turbo.

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Staying Safe on the Roads - Top 10 Winter Driving Tips 1

Staying Safe on the Roads – Top 10 Winter Driving Tips

Winter weather can make for some seriously difficult driving conditions, and with forecasts for lots of snow, ice and heavy winds over the coming month, it’s vital to take extra precautions to ensure you’re safe on the roads.

Prepare for the testing conditions and keep yourself on the road in the worst weather with our top 10 winter driving tips.

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Turbo driving tips – get more from your turbocharged car and protect your engine 1

Turbo driving tips – get more from your turbocharged car and protect your engine

Prevention is always better than the cure, and looking after your vehicle and keeping it well maintained is the best way to avoid costly repairs.

With more components and a more complex design, turbocharged engines are a little different to their naturally aspirated cousins – which means they benefit from a bit of special treatment when it comes to driving and everyday care.

This month, we take a look at 5 driving and maintenance tips designed to help you keep your turbocharged car in tip-top condition.

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The 5 Best Turbocharged Cars Ever 1

The 5 Best Turbocharged Cars Ever

From early pioneers like the Oldsmobile Jetfire, to modern classics like the Toyota Supra Turbo, there have been some truly fantastic turbocharged cars – but which are the best?

This month, we’re looking at some of our favourite iconic turbocharged cars from the past 50 years, and after a fair amount of debate, we’ve managed to whittle it down to our top 5!

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Miserly motoring – the most fuel-efficient cars of 2014 1

Miserly motoring – the most fuel-efficient cars of 2014

Looking to buy a new car, but worried about the running costs? This month, we take a look at some seriously frugal motors, with our list of the top 5 most fuel-efficient cars of 2014, perfect for if you do a lot of miles, are concerned about your carbon emissions, or just want to keep running costs down.

As we’re going for frugal motors, we’ve discounted more expensive hybrid and electric cars, and only looked at those fitted with conventional engines.

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Winter is coming! Top tips to keep your car running in the colder months 1

Winter is coming! Top tips to keep your car running in the colder months

Cold, wet, and windy – sadly, the British winter is here again!

In addition to creating hazardous driving conditions, cold weather can also put some serious strain on your vehicle, which is why it’s so important to be prepared.

Batten down the hatches, and ensure you’re ready for the worst of the winter weather with our top tips, designed to keep you on the road, and ensure you’re not left stranded now the cold weather has set in.

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Future Turbo tech – new electric turbocharger eliminates turbo lag 1

Future Turbo tech – new electric turbocharger eliminates turbo lag

AT AET, we’re always looking out for the latest developments in turbo tech – and earlier this month, French company Valeo has announced the development of a new electric turbocharger that promises to completely eliminate turbo lag.

In this post, we examine the new turbo technology, and look at the future of electric turbocharging as a whole, examining its benefits, downsides, and some near-future applications.

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The Turbo whistle – turbo noises explained 1

The Turbo whistle – turbo noises explained

At AET, we love the sound a turbocharger makes – but we understand that when your car starts making noises, you want to know exactly what’s happening, and why!

In this guide we examine the turbo whistle, a noise made by turbochargers when in operation – you’ll learn what it sounds like, what causes it, and when you need to have it checked out.

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Pimp your turbo – 5 easy ways to maximise the power and performance of your turbocharged car 1

Pimp your turbo – 5 easy ways to maximise the power and performance of your turbocharged car

How to get more out of a vehicle’s engine is always at the centre of the true performance enthusiast’s thinking. Whilst there are many ways to measure vehicle performance, in the world of the petrol-head – BHP is the undisputed king!

Thankfully, if your current turbocharged car isn’t satisfying your need for speed, there are plenty of things you can do to remedy it! In this guide, we look at 5 relatively easy methods you can use to drive the BHP up, and maximise engine performance.

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Turbo tech 101 – what is an intercooler and how does it work? 1

Turbo tech 101 – what is an intercooler and how does it work?

At AET, we’re serious about turbo tech, but we understand that not everyone is quite so passionate about turbocharger components!

Whilst there’s nothing wrong with not knowing your wastegate from your turbine, a little knowledge about components and what they do can be really helpful! Whether you’re looking to improve the performance or power of your engine, or just want to ensure you don’t have the wool pulled over your eyes by an unscrupulous mechanic when things go wrong, getting clued up is the way to go.

In this post, we’re looking at the intercooler, examining what it is, what it does and how it works, as well as providing some additional information about the different types of intercooler available.

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Turbo Upgrade FAQ – a guide to replacing your turbocharger 1

Turbo Upgrade FAQ – a guide to replacing your turbocharger

If you’re looking to maximise the power and performance of your vehicle, then changing your stock turbocharger for a bigger or better model can be an effective part of the process.

In this guide, we take a look at some of the reasons for upgrading, what you can expect to achieve, and the considerations you need to take for the process to be completed safely and in the most efficient way possible.

Before looking at this guide, you might want to look at our beginners guide to turbocharging, which offers a brief overview of how turbocharging works!

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AET Sponsors a fundraising walk in Cumbria 3

AET Sponsors a fundraising walk in Cumbria

On the rainiest weekend in August, AET were one of the proud sponsors of a ‘3 Peaks 3 Lakes’ walk to help raise money to fund complimentary therapies for Kate Fisher, diagnosed earlier this year with multiple brain tumours (www.youcaring.com/katefisher).  A couple of our employees, Emma Sykes and Ellie Duncan, took part in the event and Emma gives us the following detailed account …

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Getting more from your fleet – the benefits of ECU remapping for commercial vehicles 1

Getting more from your fleet – the benefits of ECU remapping for commercial vehicles

If you think having your vehicle ‘chipped’ is strictly for the performance enthusiast, then think again – ECU remapping is suitable for everyone, and can provide huge benefits to businesses running fleets of vehicles.

In this post, we explore ECU remapping and the benefits of re-flashing for economy, and outline the realistic savings businesses with fleet vehicles could expect to achieve.

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Hot stuff – excessive temperatures and turbocharger damage 1

Hot stuff – excessive temperatures and turbocharger damage

Whilst we’ve already explored some of the most common causes of turbocharger damage on the blog before, like oil problems, foreign objects and over-speeding, these aren’t the only things that can cause expensive problems!

In this post, we look at how overheating and excessive exhaust gas temperatures can damage turbochargers, and the kind of damage they cause, before looking at the symptoms, and what can be done to protect your vehicle.

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A frugal future – turbocharging and fuel economy 1

A frugal future – turbocharging and fuel economy

At one time, turbochargers on passenger vehicles were the reserve of the performance enthusiast, designed to help eek out extra power to improve acceleration and top speed – but today, things have changed completely.

With rising fuel prices and increasing concern about the environment, manufacturers have turned to the turbo to help solve the problem, in an effort to improve engine efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of driving.

In this article, we look at the principles behind turbocharging for economy, how things are changing, and what the future holds.

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Turbo technology – the differences between petrol and diesel turbos 1

Turbo technology – the differences between petrol and diesel turbos

Customers often ask us questions about the differences between turbochargers on diesel and petrol engines, in terms of how they work, and what they are used for.

In this post, we explore the topic, looking at the principles behind turbocharging, the basic differences between diesel and petrol engines, and how this affects the design of turbochargers for each application.

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Turbine Shaft & Wheel - Severe Oil Contamination

Turbine Shaft & Wheel – Severe Oil Contamination

In this example, you can see a turbine shaft and wheel that’s been damaged due to severe oil contamination – notice the built up oil coating both the wheel and the shaft, and the damaged blades on the wheel. On the shaft itself, you can also see where foreign objects in the contaminated oil have caused scoring damage.

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Turbine Shaft & Wheel - Engine Failure

Turbine Shaft & Wheel – Engine Failure

This image shows a turbine shaft and wheel with fairly serious impact damage. If you look at the wheel itself, you can see that the blades are uneven and chipped, and that the surface of the wheel has become severely pitted.

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Know the warning signs – how to tell when your turbo is failing 1

Know the warning signs – how to tell when your turbo is failing

Oil problems, debris, overspeeding, wear and tear…there are a number of different things that can cause a turbocharger to fail, but catching a problem early can save you a lot of time, money and hassle in the long run.

At AET, we’ve been helping customers with their turbochargers since 1974, and in this post, we explore some of the tell tale signs that your turbo might be on the way out, or in need of urgent repairs/maintenance by one of our turbocharging experts.

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Turbos and temperature – summer weather and turbocharger performance 1

Turbos and temperature – summer weather and turbocharger performance

One common question that we often get from customers is why turbochargers perform differently depending on the time of year, temperature and weather. Generally, these customers have noticed a significant drop in performance on hot summer days when compared to cooler spring and autumn nights.

Whilst this is a common trait amongst all turbocharged vehicles, and isn’t anything to worry too much about – in this post, we take a look at why turbochargers produce less power in hot weather, and what you can do about it.

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Meet the Manufacturers – Introducing the leading names in Turbocharging

Meet the Manufacturers – Introducing the leading names in Turbocharging

Last month on the blog, we looked at where big automotive brands get their turbochargers, and learnt that the vast majority of the big car companies actually buy in their turbos from other companies.

In this month’s post, we’re going to look at some of these specialist turbocharging companies in a little more detail, exploring the kind of turbos they make, and why they are trusted by the major automotive brands.

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Turbocharging basics – how to tell if your car engine is turbocharged 1

Turbocharging basics – how to tell if your car engine is turbocharged

At AET, we’re really passionate about turbocharging – but we understand that not everyone feels the same way, and that lots of people simply aren’t interested in the technical side of motoring.

To some, cars are a necessity, designed to take them from A to B, and they have no interest in how they work, as long as they are working properly – and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!

However, when things go wrong, having a little bit of knowledge can help to ensure that you get the right, cost-effective fix for your engine, and don’t have the wool pulled in front of your eyes by unscrupulous mechanics.

In this brief, introductory guide, we take a look at some of the ways you can tell whether your vehicle’s engine has a turbocharger fitted to it.

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Spot the difference - comparing quality turbochargers with cheap imitations 1

Spot the difference – comparing quality turbochargers with cheap imitations

Last month, we took a brief look into the risks of purchasing poor quality turbochargers and components – and learned why it’s always better and more cost-effective in the long run to opt for high quality parts.

This month, we take a closer look at some of the key differences between quality turbochargers manufactured by reputable, specialist companies, and cheap, sup-par turbos available from some online retailers.

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Turbo maintenance tips - all about the oil 1

Turbo maintenance tips – all about the oil

At AET, we know that prevention is always better than the cure, and whilst we’re always here to help when things go wrong with your turbocharger, we understand you’d rather not have to use our services!

As the title suggests, when it comes to turbocharging maintenance, oil has a big part to play.

In this guide, we take a look at the importance of oil when it comes to looking after your turbocharger, and provide some handy maintenance tips designed to prolong the life of your turbo and keep it running at tip-top condition.

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Forget About the Label – Where big Automotive Brands get Their Turbochargers 1

Forget About the Label – Where big Automotive Brands get Their Turbochargers

At AET, we do a lot of work with franchise car and commercial vehicle dealers, handling their out of warranty turbocharger repairs and replacements.

Naturally, dealers want to ensure that they get the right, high quality components for their vehicles, and sometimes ask if we use “official” or “branded” turbochargers in our repair work, which we do.

However, dealers are used to receiving components from their parent brand, supplied in branded packaging that clearly states that it’s manufactured specifically for their vehicle – and when it comes to turbocharging, things are a little different!

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Not All Turbos Are Created Equally – The Risk of Poor Quality Components 1

Not All Turbos Are Created Equally – The Risk of Poor Quality Components

At AET, we’ve been working with turbochargers for 40 years – and in that time, we’ve developed a pretty comprehensive understanding about what makes a good turbocharger!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of poor quality turbochargers and components available, and it can be tempting for customers to opt for the cheapest product out there – but this is almost always false economy.

In this post, we take a look at the issue of poor quality components, and why it’s always better (and cheaper!) in the long run to opt for high quality parts.

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Power and Efficiency - The benefits of an ECU Reflash 1

Power and Efficiency – The benefits of an ECU Reflash

Whatever vehicle you own, chances are that you want to get the most out of it when it comes to fuel economy and performance – but the reality is that the vast majority of vehicles on the road simply aren’t reaching their full potential.

In this post, we look at ECU remapping, and how making some simple changes to your engine software can be the most cost-effective way to improve the fuel economy and power of your vehicle.

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2014 - Year of the Turbo

2014 – Year of the Turbo

We’ve been saying it for some time, but it bears repeating – turbocharging is the future!

More and more manufacturers are turning to the turbo in an effort to reduce emissions and maximise fuel economy, and 2014 looks like it could be the year of the turbo, with a number of fantastic new passenger vehicles coming to market.

In this post, we take a quick look at some of the upcoming turbocharged cars set for launch over the next 12 months.

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Turbo technology – turbocharger parts and what they do 1

Turbo technology – turbocharger parts and what they do

There are a huge number of different turbochargers in use on diesel and petrol engines across a wide range of industries and applications. Whilst all these turbochargers are slightly different in terms of their size, shape and configuration, they all work in the same way, and share the same basic parts.

In this post, you’ll learn more about the different parts and components that make up a turbocharger, and find out what it is they do.

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Turbo timeline part three – the modern era 1

Turbo timeline part three – the modern era

A couple of months ago, we published part two of our history of turbocharging, where we covered the rise of the commercial diesel engines, turbocharging’s impact on motorsport, and its arrival in the passenger vehicle market during the 70s and 80s.

In this post, we’ll be taking a look at the modern era, from the increase in turbocharged passenger vehicles during the 1980s, through the development of the technology during the 90s, and on to the turbocharged revolution that’s happening right now.

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Formula 1 turns to the turbo – new engine examined 1

Formula 1 turns to the turbo – new engine examined

For 2014, Formula One is ripping up the current rulebook, and introducing some revolutionary changes designed to really shake up the sport.

Whilst there are new rules covering the chassis and fuel consumption, the biggest change (in our book at least!) lies with the engine. Next year, they’re ditching the naturally aspirated V8s, and replacing them with a smaller, turbocharged V6.

In this post, we take a closer look at the changes to the 2014 F1 engine, before analysing why they’ve done it, and giving our predictions about performance, standings and competition for the year ahead.

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Cold-weather care - winter turbo maintenance tips 1

Cold-weather care – winter turbo maintenance tips

The temperatures have dropped and winter is most definitely here – and there’s nothing worse than your car breaking down and leaving you stranded in the cold weather.

All vehicle engines need to be looked after during the winter months, but there are some special steps you should take to help protect and prolong the life of your turbocharger.

Follow our handy guide to winter turbo maintenance, and make sure you don’t get left out in the cold this winter.

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Turbo timeline part two – on the road again 1

Turbo timeline part two – on the road again

A few weeks ago, we posted ‘Turbocharged beginnings’ – the first part in a series of posts outlining the history of turbocharging. We covered the early years of the technology, from invention, through early aviation use, and up to the first turbocharged passenger vehicles.

This post starts where that one left off, and this week, we’ll be looking at the rise of turbocharging in commercial diesel engines, and the increase in popularity of the technology throughout the 70s and into the 80s.

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