Turbo Dynamics, an innovation behind today’s aftermarket turbochargers, brings the information you need to your fingertips. Turbo Dynamics’ turbos have received critical acclaim from the leaders in automotive media, particularly for quality and variety – especially in the Hybrid field, which is known as the largest in the world.

A hybrid turbocharger... is simply a turbo that is non-standard, but more specifically combines parts from different frame sizes and in some cases from different manufacturers.

TD's 'Twinscroll' hybrid turbo	MD505 hybrid turbocharger

Hybrid turbos can be designed and modified in very different ways; this can be as simple as fitting just a 360 degree thrust bearing or even less exciting a ‘Staggered Gap’ total seal piston ring. If this is done, then technically the turbocharger is a Hybrid because it differs from the standard manufacturer’s specification, and therefore, can no longer be deemed a standard turbocharger.

There are many different ways of modifying a turbocharger for a certain application. However, there is a misled perception that a hybrid turbocharger will always give better response and more power, but the reality is that this is often not the case (unless you convert your turbocharger to ball bearing). The rule of thumb with hybrid non-ball bearing units is that there will be a compromise with response versus power: more power and torque for the same given displacement equals more lag. However, this is not set in stone and can be lessened or eliminated in some cases by very special attention to engine set-up, camshafts, exhaust and manifold design and careful attention to engine mapping. Although this can be very expensive, it is often worth the effort, especially on a road car.

The one guaranteed thing that will happen when you fit a larger/modified unit without taking this into consideration is more power at the expense of driveability, which is not good if your 400 BHP Subaru Impreza is beaten in the traffic light derby by a Mini Cooper due to the colossal lag!

MD555: The Ultimate Subaru Turbo		MD999 hybrid turbo

Turbo Dynamics has been modifying turbochargers for many years and is yet to see a production turbocharger that can't be improved in some way (taking away mass produced variances) to increase performance. There are many different ways to increase the flow through the turbocharger, which can be explained briefly as follows:

• Ported Shroud conversions to the compressor cover inlets, to increase the airflow characteristics
• Modifying and CNC machining the compressor cover to fit a larger Trim higher flowing compressor wheel
• Modifying the compressor back plate or diffuser
• Fitting 360 degree thrust bearings for higher axial thrust loads when increasing the boost pressure
• Modification and machining/lightening of the turbine wheel, which could include turbine blade "cutbacks" or "clipping"
• Porting and machining of turbine housings
• Modifying and CNC machining of the turbine housing to fit larger Trim higher flowing turbine wheels
• Up-rated actuators for increased boost pressure
• Retro-fitting "Ball Bearing" core assemblies into standard non-ball bearing turbochargers

The above list can be mixed and matched in many formats to achieve the desired goal, which is more flow for a given rotor speed and boost pressure. When this goal is achieved efficiently there will be more power and torque for the customer to use and suddenly, the mysterious Hybrid Turbocharger does what it says on the tin!