To turbo or not to turbo that is the question.

[fpage77]

I know Smart Madness is going to have a kit and there is one from Breathless Performance. It's a bit of money but is it worth it? I was wondering if it kill your MPG. I wouldn't mind having a car that is faster but not sure if anyone has had any experience with this setup.

[mvaldes]

The kits have literally just come on the market. I think that means just about the only ones with experience with these units are the developers with the prototypes on their cars and perhaps a couple people with early production units. Sounds interesting though.
BTW, I'm pretty sure Ernie at BPP says the mileage is pretty much the same with his version, except when you step on it, which is probably pretty much why most folks would get one.

[brian r]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

The kits have literally just come on the market. I think that means just about the only ones with experience with these units are the developers with the prototypes on their cars and perhaps a couple people with early production units.

My enthusiasm has softened after reading this thread:

This space available (BPP 1st gen broken weld)

If there is going to be development work done on customer cars (without regard to who is making the kit) as we've seen with exhausts, I'd prefer to just have a running non-turbo car.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by fpage77

I know Smart Madness is going to have a kit and there is one from Breathless Performance. It's a bit of money but is it worth it? I was wondering if it kill your MPG. I wouldn't mind having a car that is faster but not sure if anyone has had any experience with this setup.

If you look at the Euro mileage data (actually liters per 100 km, and however the EU tests) for the 71ps normal passion and the 84ps turbo pulse, there is an 18% loss of mileage in city driving; a 4% loss in highway driving; and an average loss of 9% combined. The city is the killer. Note that the pulse is also wheeled-up to 175-15/195-15.

[Periclaws]

You are gaining horsepower,it only seems logical that mpg is going to be part of the cost.

[geosynch]

If you are in the Bay Area, LittodeviL has invited folks to his garage tomorrow night to christen his new SFR turbo. Click here.

My enthusiasm has softened after reading this thread:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...en-weld-20723/

Yup. The turbos are going to be subject to the same vibrations and forces as the exhaust. My hat's off to the early adopters on this, but it won't be me.

BTW, brian_r, I've always loved your avatar. I have a purple shirt and tie I wear when social events force me to wear a shirt and tie. The color is just incongruous enough for a formal setting that it throws people off a bit. Which suits me.

Best,

geosynch

[SunDiego]

The SFR turbo doesn't have a flex pipe in the exhaust

[T12121]

What does the turbos do for your oil changes I would think you would have to change the oil more often, wouldn't you?

[brian r]

Originally Posted by geosynch

BTW, brian_r, I've always loved your avatar. I have a purple shirt and tie I wear when social events force me to wear a shirt and tie. The color is just incongruous enough for a formal setting that it throws people off a bit. Which suits me.

Thanks, geo, but it's not me. That's the suave and esteemed Tony Sinclair, the fictional international man about town who's the spokesperson for Tanqueray. But I do have some purple shirts...

[BreathlessPerformance]

You should read further, we were the first company to come out with a aftermarket flex pipe in the exhaust to handle the vibration.
Our first V1 then V2 and now the best of all V3 with Flex Pipe.

Our turbo system is the only one for Smart car that has a flex pipe. If you try to run a turbo without a flex pipe you are looking for problems.

FLEX PIPE INCLUDED