Thinking about turbocharging your truck? This popular upgrade makes sense for a lot of people, but it’s not a perfect, decisively positive modification. As with every aftermarket upgrade you can make to your truck, turbochargers have a few quirks and drawbacks. We’re here to discuss the pros and cons of outfitting your truck with a turbocharger so you can make an informed decision.
Pro: You Get More Power From Your Truck
The whole goal of a turbocharger is to amp up horsepower. By forcing more air into the engine, a turbo increases combustion power, turning an average truck into a veritable workhorse. You benefit most from this upgrade if you tow heavy loads or drive over challenging terrain with your vehicle. However, you might love having a turbocharged engine simply because it is awesome to feel more power from your truck every time you press the accelerator.
Con: Turbos Consume More Gas
Turbos make your engine consume more gas. When you compare two engines of the same size, one with a turbo and the other without, the turbocharged engine will likely cost you more in fuel.
Pro: Turbos Can Increase Fuel Efficiency
Turbos burn through more gas, but they’re also tools for fuel efficiency in some scenarios. Specifically, a large engine without a turbo is less efficient than a smaller engine with a turbo, even though both boast the same horsepower. If you want the power of a large engine but not the sky-high fuel costs, you can actually save money by upgrading a smaller engine with a turbo.
Con: You Make Your Truck’s Mechanics More Complex
By adding a turbocharger to your truck’s engine, you make its mechanics more intricate. A turbo system includes a wastegate, intercooler, and intricate piping, which you add to your engine bay. The system takes up space and affects other processes in your truck. For instance, turbochargers impact your exhaust system in several ways, such as by increasing emissions (though the quality of those emissions may be cleaner). Ultimately, turbos make your truck’s inner workings more complex, and this complexity means there’s more to care for and more that can go wrong.
Pro: A Turbocharger Is a Fun Upgrade
If you love tinkering with your truck and putting more raw power under its hood, then that could be reason enough to install a turbo. It’s simply an awesome, powerful upgrade that you will love showing off to your friends!
Con: Turbos Are Expensive To Install and Maintain
The reality is that turbocharging your truck isn’t cheap. Aside from the cost of the system itself, you’ll probably have to pay a mechanic for the installation. Additionally, as we mentioned, turbochargers increase your truck’s mechanical complexity, which could result in more maintenance needs. If you’re on a tight budget, a turbo is an investment you’ll need to weigh carefully.
Ultimately, outfitting your truck with a turbocharger could be a great choice; just make sure you consider the pros and cons of the upgrade. If you’re willing to trade cost, complexity, and maintenance for improved power, efficiency, and performance, then go for it!
