Hey import owners, this is an honest question I am hoping I can get some info on. How come everywhere I look, I see guys with very small engines (1.8L-2.4L) putting on HUGE turbos, often times bigger than the "600HP capable" PT51 "T3-family" (?) unit I have on my 4.3L Syclone? I managed to get this 3650# behemoth down the track in 12.2 seconds with the stock TD06-17C turbo at 20 PSI Boost. Why would a lighter weight import with a smaller engine need a bigger turbo to run similar or lesser times?
I would say that I have relatively poor throttle response on my truck, even with a 2600 converter it's quite a bit less responsive than the stock turbo was with the stock 2100 RPM converter. Basically if you want to go fast, you've pretty much got to hold the pedal down.
I'm looking at turbos for a little street project I'm considering on 3 Liter engine, and the ones I'm considering virtually all fall in a range much smaller than the turbos I see all the imports talking about (20G, GT35R, GT40+ etc.). My understanding was, on a street car you want a turbo that's going to give you good response and good part throttle boost and quick spool over the small gains in top end you might get with a gigantic unit and huge exhaust housing.
With these imports I'm wondering how the response is, does the engine basically function like an "on/off switch"? Do you guys get any boost at low RPM or part throttle? What is that like to drive around?
My thought on what would be the most fun to drive around would be a huge big block with loads of instant throttle response, the whole small engine, high RPM, huge turbo thing seems like the polar opposite of that.
I have "zero" import experience so I'm hoping some of you guys can clue me in (and maybe I can take notes for my little project too.) Thanks!!