Clipped turbos..

[rubbersidedown]

I've been told that clipping a turbo is bad for some reason.. but i've also been told that it can be good because it allows better exhaust flow from the engine and reduces back pressure a bit. i assume this would could the smaller wheel to spin faster and generate more heat but is there really any serious problem w/ clipping a turbo?

[bheld]

The efficiency is decreased whenever you clip a turbo.  Obviously surface area is reduced so more exhaust gases sneak through without doing their fair share of the work, the lazy bastards.

[DSC]

I've never heard of clipping a turbo.  What does it mean exactly?  Sounds like your cutting "fins"?

[misnomer]

It would reduce backpressue, but that's not the point in a turbo. I'd imagine the only advantage you may get is a faster spool with the lowered rotational mass. . . Uh, don't do it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[uiuc240]

SCC did a whole article about this. &nbsp;May issue maybe? &nbsp;Anyway, clipping is bad. &nbsp;Don't do it. &nbsp;I don't remember specifically what happens, though.

Eric

[rubbersidedown]

you people aren't helping. i already told you that i've been told that it can be bad. What i want to know is WHY is it bad? lol. sport compact car had a thing in one of their issues about what turbo to pick and all it said was "don't buy a turbo that is clipped" but i don't remember seeing and explanation. Clipping doesn't sound completely bad though. It allows the engine to utilize a larger turbo while keeping back pressure low and therfore reducing stress on the engine. The only side effects that i can think of would be increased heat from the turbo and slightly increased turbo lag. But this is all speculation on my part... or something..