The turbocharger is now a regular addition to many road cars, but here the Windrush classic car storage team celebrates the timeless turbos designed for power first and foremost.
Not so long ago a turbocharger was an exotic addition to any road car, often warranting a large badge or decal to announce the fact. Then came the turbo-diesel and now the turbocharger is used on almost every new car to reduce engine capacity, while maintaining power, in the name of a greener world.
Despite all that, there is still plenty to celebrate about the turbocharger. In this post, the Windrush long term car storage team gets our heads together to select our favourite turbo engines of all time.
Porsche MDH.NA
Found in the 911 Turbo S, this 3.8L flat-6 has large variable-geometry turbos, peak boost at 22.5 psi, larger intercoolers, a water-spray system and 700 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque from 2,250 rpm to 4,000 rpm. Only for the brave, but perhaps the last of the blistering Porsche Turbo motors.
Ferrari F154
Ferrari’s F154 family of V8 engines has powered many of the marque’s road cars from the California to the 488 Pista. The F154B and F154C has won four Best Performance Engine awards and a total of 14 awards in the International Engine of the Year competition including a ‘Best of the Best’ award in 2018.
Nissan RB26DETT
The 2.6L twin-turbocharged inline-6 from Nissan – the RB26DETT – is legendary amongst those seeking the ultimate tuneable motor. Limited to 280 hp from the factory – thanks to the gentleman’s agreement between Japanese manufacturers to cap engine outputs – a simple flash of the ECU removed the restrictions and allowed tuners to go beyond 1000bhp.
Toyota 2JZ-GTE
Another heroic engine is the Toyota 3.0L inline-6 2JZ, and the twin-turbocharged 2JZ-GTE. The two turbochargers operated sequentially with one designed to provide maximum torque as early as 1,800 rpm, and the second engaged in pre-boost until 4,000 rpm. After that, both turbos would spin at full blast. Today, the 2JZ-GTE remains the king of tuning culture.
Ferrari F106
Ferrari’s F106 V8 engine dates as far back as 1973 with a flat-plane crank and dual-overhead cams, and it continued to be used, with revisions, for more than 30 years. Its starring role was in the F40, featuring a twin-turbocharged version of the F106 producing 471 hp, creating, arguably, the finest flame-spitting turbocharged supercar.
Bugatti 8.0L Quad-Turbocharged W16
The outrageous quad-turbocharged W16 powers all of the Bugatti hypercars and first debuted in 2005. Producing over 1,000 hp from the factory it made the Veyron the fastest production sports car in the world. Today the Bugatti W16 produces up to 1,600 hp and powers the Chiron range of hypercars.
BMW N55
The single turbo, 6-cylinder N55 first appeared in the M135i hot hatch with great sound, a desire to be revved and lots of power and torque. Reminiscent of 6-cylinder M Cars of the past, the N55 is a characterful engine as capable of day-to-day driving as it is a hard lap of the Nürburgring.
Turbo or naturally aspirated, Windrush classic car storage is #1
Windrush has welcomed every make, model and vintage to our prestige car storage facilities in the Cotswolds and central London, and we always adapt our service to suit. The first thing we’ll do is lead your car through the twelve-step induction process that ensures your cherished vehicle beds down the right way. But our care doesn’t end there, with a bespoke maintenance programme offered to all our long-term car storage clients, ensuring that when you arrive to collect, your pride and joy will be purring.
Discover more about Windrush classic car storage with a chat to our expert team. We’re ready to help you on info@windrushcarstorage.co.uk
