Independent lab tests show as much as 40 per cent performance gap between genuine aftermarket turbos and copies

Turbos built to the original specifications of the factory-installed part they replace have significantly better performance, CO2 and NOX emissions than non-original copies, an independent study has found.

Commissioned by Honeywell Transportation Systems and conducted by Millbrook Group, the research used the average of two approved replacement turbos built to OE specifications from Honeywell’s Garrett brand of replacement turbos as well as a leading competitor to compare against the highest-selling third-party units in Europe, which were reverse-engineered or remanufactured without qualified turbo factory support.

Findings
Low-end torque with an engine using a copy turbocharger fell by between 15 per cent and 40 per cent compared to OE fit turbochargers.

NOx emissions from non-OE copy turbos were between 8 per cent and 28 per cent higher.

CO2 emissions from some non-OE copy turbochargers were nearly 3 per cent greater, measuring between 2.0g/km and 4.5g/km higher than OE turbochargers, or an emissions amount approximately equivalent to using an additional litre of fuel for every tank driven.

Eric Fraysse, aftermarket vice president and general manager at Honeywell Transportation Systems, said: “The results of this independent study are a clear indication of why Honeywell’s Garrett genuine replacement turbochargers from Honeywell are the best value proposition for distributors, installers and the end customer.

“While this test was done using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), we expect the performance and emissions gap would have been even larger had the more relevant Worldwide Light Duty Test Cycle (WLTC) been used.”

To find out more about OE turbos go to the BTN Turbo website

Garage Wire 21.6.16