Is it Turbo Lag?
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
"Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
If
> I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms it
> snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
am
> guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> sensation.
> Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs to
be
> checked out. Thanks in advance.
"Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
* Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!" point
is at about that.
news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
If
> I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms it
> snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
am
> guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> sensation.
> Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs to
be
> checked out. Thanks in advance.
"Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
* Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!" point
is at about that.
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Len S. wrote:
> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
> 1st gear.
That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
where smoothness was key to good lap times.
Enjoy.
> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
> 1st gear.
That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
where smoothness was key to good lap times.
Enjoy.
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Len S. wrote:
> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
> 1st gear.
That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
where smoothness was key to good lap times.
Enjoy.
> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
> 1st gear.
That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
where smoothness was key to good lap times.
Enjoy.
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
1st gear.
"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZjiHc.1579$6B.1265@fed1read06...
> Sounds exactly like turbo lag to me. Some manufacturers get around it
> by adding a small turbo (in addition to the regular big one) that spins
> up quickly despite the slower exhaust velocity at lower rpm. Audi on
> their 2.7T uses two of the same size, but that engine has enough
> displacement to provide decent torque even at low rpm. And with each
> turbo filling just one bank of 3 cylinders, each one can be small enough
> to compress air at lower rpm while being big enough to compress air at
> the redline. Engine design is full of compromises.
>
> When you say you 'start of spirited' I'm guessing you use some clutch
> slip to get and then keep the engine near 3000 rpm - until the clutch
> fully engages and you floor the throttle. If you don't, that's one way
> to increase the exhaust velocity enough so the smallish motor doesn't
> spend much time fighting to breathe well. You'll typically get the best
> acceleration numbers this way. It's also an excellent way to decrease
> the life of your clutch if done poorly.
suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
1st gear.
"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZjiHc.1579$6B.1265@fed1read06...
> Sounds exactly like turbo lag to me. Some manufacturers get around it
> by adding a small turbo (in addition to the regular big one) that spins
> up quickly despite the slower exhaust velocity at lower rpm. Audi on
> their 2.7T uses two of the same size, but that engine has enough
> displacement to provide decent torque even at low rpm. And with each
> turbo filling just one bank of 3 cylinders, each one can be small enough
> to compress air at lower rpm while being big enough to compress air at
> the redline. Engine design is full of compromises.
>
> When you say you 'start of spirited' I'm guessing you use some clutch
> slip to get and then keep the engine near 3000 rpm - until the clutch
> fully engages and you floor the throttle. If you don't, that's one way
> to increase the exhaust velocity enough so the smallish motor doesn't
> spend much time fighting to breathe well. You'll typically get the best
> acceleration numbers this way. It's also an excellent way to decrease
> the life of your clutch if done poorly.
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
1st gear.
"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZjiHc.1579$6B.1265@fed1read06...
> Sounds exactly like turbo lag to me. Some manufacturers get around it
> by adding a small turbo (in addition to the regular big one) that spins
> up quickly despite the slower exhaust velocity at lower rpm. Audi on
> their 2.7T uses two of the same size, but that engine has enough
> displacement to provide decent torque even at low rpm. And with each
> turbo filling just one bank of 3 cylinders, each one can be small enough
> to compress air at lower rpm while being big enough to compress air at
> the redline. Engine design is full of compromises.
>
> When you say you 'start of spirited' I'm guessing you use some clutch
> slip to get and then keep the engine near 3000 rpm - until the clutch
> fully engages and you floor the throttle. If you don't, that's one way
> to increase the exhaust velocity enough so the smallish motor doesn't
> spend much time fighting to breathe well. You'll typically get the best
> acceleration numbers this way. It's also an excellent way to decrease
> the life of your clutch if done poorly.
suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
1st gear.
"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ZjiHc.1579$6B.1265@fed1read06...
> Sounds exactly like turbo lag to me. Some manufacturers get around it
> by adding a small turbo (in addition to the regular big one) that spins
> up quickly despite the slower exhaust velocity at lower rpm. Audi on
> their 2.7T uses two of the same size, but that engine has enough
> displacement to provide decent torque even at low rpm. And with each
> turbo filling just one bank of 3 cylinders, each one can be small enough
> to compress air at lower rpm while being big enough to compress air at
> the redline. Engine design is full of compromises.
>
> When you say you 'start of spirited' I'm guessing you use some clutch
> slip to get and then keep the engine near 3000 rpm - until the clutch
> fully engages and you floor the throttle. If you don't, that's one way
> to increase the exhaust velocity enough so the smallish motor doesn't
> spend much time fighting to breathe well. You'll typically get the best
> acceleration numbers this way. It's also an excellent way to decrease
> the life of your clutch if done poorly.
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Well then, I guess having a happy turbo is not such a terrible thing, eh?
Turbo smile ... hmmm. So it's not a problem, it's a feature?
"Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:5plHc.991$Tr2.35@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> > I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
> If
> > I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms
it
> > snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
> am
> > guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> > sensation.
> > Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs
to
> be
> > checked out. Thanks in advance.
>
> "Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
>
> The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
>
> --
>
> Hairy One Kenobi
>
> Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
> reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the
opinion
> in the first place. So there!
>
> * Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!"
point
> is at about that.
>
>
Turbo smile ... hmmm. So it's not a problem, it's a feature?
"Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:5plHc.991$Tr2.35@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> > I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
> If
> > I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms
it
> > snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
> am
> > guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> > sensation.
> > Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs
to
> be
> > checked out. Thanks in advance.
>
> "Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
>
> The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
>
> --
>
> Hairy One Kenobi
>
> Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
> reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the
opinion
> in the first place. So there!
>
> * Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!"
point
> is at about that.
>
>
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Well then, I guess having a happy turbo is not such a terrible thing, eh?
Turbo smile ... hmmm. So it's not a problem, it's a feature?
"Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:5plHc.991$Tr2.35@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> > I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
> If
> > I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms
it
> > snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
> am
> > guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> > sensation.
> > Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs
to
> be
> > checked out. Thanks in advance.
>
> "Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
>
> The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
>
> --
>
> Hairy One Kenobi
>
> Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
> reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the
opinion
> in the first place. So there!
>
> * Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!"
point
> is at about that.
>
>
Turbo smile ... hmmm. So it's not a problem, it's a feature?
"Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:5plHc.991$Tr2.35@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
> "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote in message
> news:zdGdnds2XYr3FnHdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> > I have been enjoying my 02 A4 Avant 1.8T 5 spd for about six weeks now.
> If
> > I start off spirited, the car moves our alright, then at around 3k rpms
it
> > snaps me back into the seat, and I have to back off before I shift. I
> am
> > guessing this is what is known as turbo lag. It's kind of an awkward
> > sensation.
> > Is that typical of these 1.8 T engines? I am wondering if it needs
to
> be
> > checked out. Thanks in advance.
>
> "Turbo lag" is the bit that happens /before/ 3k rpm*
>
> The "problem" you're experiencing is "Turbo smile" ;o)
>
> --
>
> Hairy One Kenobi
>
> Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
> reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the
opinion
> in the first place. So there!
>
> * Should finish at a lot lower than this - my chipped engine's "whoa!"
point
> is at about that.
>
>
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Bear in mind that -- unlike a torquey, beefy V8 such as the one found
in the '04 S4 -- the smallish, 1.8T engine works best above 1950RPM,
at which point the turbo is fully spooled up. Also, if you had a
larger engine previously (mine was a 3.0L V6) you may be alarmed that
optimal cruising happens at what you might consider high RPM's. I
typically downshift at 2.5K, and upshift around 4.5K, and cruise on
the highway at well above 3K. I still get 28mpg.
When I first got my '02 A4 I was alarmed because I was used to
shifting much lower, and cruising much lower. These days it's just
another way to enjoy the pleasant exhaust note.
--Cesar
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 18:12:01 -0400, "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid>
wrote:
>Thanks for the information.
> - Len
>
>"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>newsioHc.1627$6B.623@fed1read06...
>> Len S. wrote:
>> > I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> > suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> > all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent
>in
>> > 1st gear.
>>
>> That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>> 3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic
>difference.
>>
>> The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
>> and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
>>
>> The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
>> from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
>> once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
>> unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
>> where smoothness was key to good lap times.
>>
>> Enjoy.
>
=
= Cesar Borgia
=
in the '04 S4 -- the smallish, 1.8T engine works best above 1950RPM,
at which point the turbo is fully spooled up. Also, if you had a
larger engine previously (mine was a 3.0L V6) you may be alarmed that
optimal cruising happens at what you might consider high RPM's. I
typically downshift at 2.5K, and upshift around 4.5K, and cruise on
the highway at well above 3K. I still get 28mpg.
When I first got my '02 A4 I was alarmed because I was used to
shifting much lower, and cruising much lower. These days it's just
another way to enjoy the pleasant exhaust note.
--Cesar
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 18:12:01 -0400, "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid>
wrote:
>Thanks for the information.
> - Len
>
>"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>newsioHc.1627$6B.623@fed1read06...
>> Len S. wrote:
>> > I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> > suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> > all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent
>in
>> > 1st gear.
>>
>> That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>> 3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic
>difference.
>>
>> The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
>> and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
>>
>> The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
>> from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
>> once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
>> unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
>> where smoothness was key to good lap times.
>>
>> Enjoy.
>
=
= Cesar Borgia
=
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
Bear in mind that -- unlike a torquey, beefy V8 such as the one found
in the '04 S4 -- the smallish, 1.8T engine works best above 1950RPM,
at which point the turbo is fully spooled up. Also, if you had a
larger engine previously (mine was a 3.0L V6) you may be alarmed that
optimal cruising happens at what you might consider high RPM's. I
typically downshift at 2.5K, and upshift around 4.5K, and cruise on
the highway at well above 3K. I still get 28mpg.
When I first got my '02 A4 I was alarmed because I was used to
shifting much lower, and cruising much lower. These days it's just
another way to enjoy the pleasant exhaust note.
--Cesar
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 18:12:01 -0400, "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid>
wrote:
>Thanks for the information.
> - Len
>
>"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>newsioHc.1627$6B.623@fed1read06...
>> Len S. wrote:
>> > I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> > suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> > all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent
>in
>> > 1st gear.
>>
>> That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>> 3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic
>difference.
>>
>> The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
>> and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
>>
>> The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
>> from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
>> once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
>> unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
>> where smoothness was key to good lap times.
>>
>> Enjoy.
>
=
= Cesar Borgia
=
in the '04 S4 -- the smallish, 1.8T engine works best above 1950RPM,
at which point the turbo is fully spooled up. Also, if you had a
larger engine previously (mine was a 3.0L V6) you may be alarmed that
optimal cruising happens at what you might consider high RPM's. I
typically downshift at 2.5K, and upshift around 4.5K, and cruise on
the highway at well above 3K. I still get 28mpg.
When I first got my '02 A4 I was alarmed because I was used to
shifting much lower, and cruising much lower. These days it's just
another way to enjoy the pleasant exhaust note.
--Cesar
On Sat, 10 Jul 2004 18:12:01 -0400, "Len S." <this@ddress.is.invalid>
wrote:
>Thanks for the information.
> - Len
>
>"Byron" <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>newsioHc.1627$6B.623@fed1read06...
>> Len S. wrote:
>> > I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> > suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> > all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent
>in
>> > 1st gear.
>>
>> That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>> 3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic
>difference.
>>
>> The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
>> and therefore nothing to worry about unless it changes as the miles go by.
>>
>> The lag of the 1.8T actually isn't nearly as bad as early turbo cars
>> from the 1980s. Those engines had _nothing_ below a certain rpm, but
>> once it kicked in the rush was often violent and had somewhat
>> unpredictable effects on handling, especially if you were exiting a turn
>> where smoothness was key to good lap times.
>>
>> Enjoy.
>
=
= Cesar Borgia
=
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is it Turbo Lag?
On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 20:29:38 -0700, Byron <tackyfart@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Len S. wrote:
>> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
>> 1st gear.
>
>That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
>
>The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
Probably also means he's changing up too early. Keep it on boost!!
andyt
>Len S. wrote:
>> I'm very judicious with my clutching. I'm not letting it slip like you
>> suggest. I usually am off the pedal asap. The same takeoff happens in
>> all the gears when the engine gets around 3000, but it is most prominent in
>> 1st gear.
>
>That's the way turbo lag will seem the worst, but when it spools up near
>3k rpm, the 'turbo smile' feels the best because of the dramatic difference.
>
>The fact you feel the same effect in each gear confirms it is turbo lag
Probably also means he's changing up too early. Keep it on boost!!
andyt