A Glossary of Turbocharger Technology
Boost: The amount of pressure, measured in pounds, of how much air a turbocharger packs into the engine's cylinders
Intercooler: The finned device — similar to an air conditioner's condenser — used to cool air and increase density in a turbocharged vehicle. It usually sits in front of the engine or radiator
Sequential turbo: An engine that uses two turbochargers, one for low speeds and one for high speeds
Turbo lag: The time it takes for a turbine wheel to reach a fast enough rotating speed to pressurize the cylinders and boost performance
Twin scroll: A turbocharger with split inlets that ingests air from cylinders in an alternating sequence to help reduce turbo lag
Twin turbo: An engine with two turbochargers
Variable-geometry turbo: Airflow to the turbine wheel is routed through different-sized vanes in the turbocharger housing to increase the efficiency of the turbocharger at low and high speeds
Wastegate: A valve that prevents the turbocharger from over-pressurizing the engine by routing some exhaust flow around the turbine part of the turbocharger
