Blow-Off Valves can be an effective means of
combating/preventing turbo compressor surge.
O.K., but we all already know practically all there is to know about BOVs, right? ;)
But, here's something many people don't generally know about BOVs...
More than a few guys with Grand Nationals & Turbo Regals get all stone-age
and spastic, ready for a rumble whenever anyone even brings up the
topic of using a BOV on a Turbo'd Buick. This, despite the fact that many
have upgraded to much larger turbos and/or front mount intercoolers,
sometimes creating significant compressor surge conditions.
Still, just mention a BOV and eyes start glowing red, forehead veins engorge,
voices become guttural, wolfman hair pops out, and the knucks, knives,
whips and chains get busy for even daring to mention the forboten lil' BOV.
If you've never experienced compressor surge, suffice to say it can occur when you lift
under boost and can literally "BUCK" your car like a tinker-toy & loosen your dental caps.
Every turbo manufacturer (Garrett, Turbonetics, Innovative, Borg-Warner, etcetera)
is pro-BOV as a means to address compressor surge & prevent damage to their turbos.
BUT, according to many individuals with a GN or a TR, BOVs are summarily dismissed
as "stupid & not necessary on vehicles with automatics". "We don't need that Ricer-Crap"
they shout, while spending $1200.00 on a gigantic 8-second capable front-mount intercooler
for a street-car is NOT to be considered totally blingy "Ricer-Crap". You'll get the line:
"Well, the fastest Turbo Regals don't use them" as if anyone suddenly "lifts" in the 1/4 mile.
With $1400.00 to $2200.00 Buick turbos becoming the norm, what's "wrong" with
installing a $200.00 BOV as a potential protective assist for the cost of 4-5 oil changes?
combating/preventing turbo compressor surge.
O.K., but we all already know practically all there is to know about BOVs, right? ;)
But, here's something many people don't generally know about BOVs...
More than a few guys with Grand Nationals & Turbo Regals get all stone-age
and spastic, ready for a rumble whenever anyone even brings up the
topic of using a BOV on a Turbo'd Buick. This, despite the fact that many
have upgraded to much larger turbos and/or front mount intercoolers,
sometimes creating significant compressor surge conditions.
Still, just mention a BOV and eyes start glowing red, forehead veins engorge,
voices become guttural, wolfman hair pops out, and the knucks, knives,
whips and chains get busy for even daring to mention the forboten lil' BOV.
If you've never experienced compressor surge, suffice to say it can occur when you lift
under boost and can literally "BUCK" your car like a tinker-toy & loosen your dental caps.
Every turbo manufacturer (Garrett, Turbonetics, Innovative, Borg-Warner, etcetera)
is pro-BOV as a means to address compressor surge & prevent damage to their turbos.
BUT, according to many individuals with a GN or a TR, BOVs are summarily dismissed
as "stupid & not necessary on vehicles with automatics". "We don't need that Ricer-Crap"
they shout, while spending $1200.00 on a gigantic 8-second capable front-mount intercooler
for a street-car is NOT to be considered totally blingy "Ricer-Crap". You'll get the line:
"Well, the fastest Turbo Regals don't use them" as if anyone suddenly "lifts" in the 1/4 mile.
With $1400.00 to $2200.00 Buick turbos becoming the norm, what's "wrong" with
installing a $200.00 BOV as a potential protective assist for the cost of 4-5 oil changes?
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