knocking out with turbo engines

Deciding on the boost level attainable has a lot ofthe limiting factors from above.
different factors. One would be octane of the fuel.The size of the turbo, or more the efficiency of the
Another is static compression ratio. Combustionturbo in your boost level also has a large factor in
chamber design also plays a big role in this. Also thethis. The less efficient the turbo is at the boost level
size of turbo, and maximum engine power beforeyou are at, the more heat energy is needed to run in
failure has a role in all this also.and put in to your engine because of it. Most stock
Some engines can handle a lot, such as the 2jz, inturbos are usually too small for the application in the
stock block form has been known to handle close tofirst place. They are made for response and have no
1000hp and over at times with some reliability. Thereal consideration of what the car actually needs to
RB26 has a reputation for being able to handle theserun properly. Some are undersized because of
power levels, but in no where near stock form. Thelimitations placed on the designers by car makers.
2jz is a beast, it is built like a desiel truck engine. ItWhether it is a number not to go over, or a number
has huge bearings, big bolts, a lot of meat throughoutto stay away from so it doesn't get in the way of
the whole block.the more expensive cars, they are always told to
The type of fuel is the first limiting factor in thestay in check.
amount of air you can push. It is directly related toLimits of the engine is by far the least of most
compression also. They go hand in hand. An easypeoples concern. I have seen a few blow over the
way to tell if your pushing it too far, is when youyears because of this, but this is the exception not
have to start to drop timing instead of holding staticthe rule. I would venture to say over 90% of engine
or increasing timing, while power is also increasing. Iffailures in turbo cars are from knock damage.
you find mbt at 1 bar increase boost to 1.2bar and allWhether it is a broke piston, or melted cylinder this
the sudden need to decrease timing by 6 degrees,by far is the most common. Which brings us back to
you have met the limit of your fuel/compressionthe first part of this. You must be careful with the
combo. If you can increase boost leaving timing thestatic compression/ fuel settings. One bad thing is
same or within say 2 degrees of same with no hintthat it will be a different number for every engine
of knock, you can turn it up, until you reach one oftype. Which makes my job all the more interesting.