I just installed my PFC and have a combo boost guage and turbo timer that I am about to install.

After doing a search and watching my temps with my PFC I am wondering if I need to install the turbo timer at all.

Granted, it hasn't been super hot here in Dallas yet.

For those of you in a hot climate, if you stop and go drive your car then let it turbo time for say 1-2 mins do you notice the temp dropping and by how much???

 

Do it to cool down the turbo/engine, but also so the oil doesn't coke up in the shaft. Turbo timer is good idea.

 

Water cooled turbos don't coke. A turbo timer is a waste of space.

-Max

 

turbo timer with out fans running = heat soak. Kinda defeating the purpose, no?

 

I agree. From experience, I've never had any turbo related problems from not using a turbo timer for either of my two RX-7s.

 

A turbo timer is a waste of time and money. Just drive your car easy for 2 minutes before you get to your destination. Sitting at idle with no fans will only heat up everything.

 

I was going to say what above already did. Just take it easy on the last few minutes before shut off. I think a car idleing with no air passing through the rad. and not cooling the motor is worse that hot oil in a turbo. I use synth anyway so there is another measure of protection. Normally I will just cruise down my street and when I'm only going about 10 MPH I pop the hood.
The boost guage is a must however so if you already have it stick it in and just don't use the timing function.

 

what about people with datalogit? I use my turbo timer, but my fans are on since I have them set to 87c. Try and find someone with datalogit.

 

hmmm.....so what temps do you see after a long drive in Florida humidty???

 

i have a turbo timer that i am getting ready to pull out. i just dont use it like it is MEANT for. i dont drive hard before i shut it off. so to anyone intersted, APEXI turbo timer w/harness. make offer
kris

 

Depends on the situation...if you're on boost up until you pull up into the local 7-11 for a slurppy and absolutely can't wait 30-45 seconds, then yes, it comes in handy; however if you obey the speed limit for the last couple mile/minutes before you need to shut the car off, a turbo timer is unecessary.

 

I use my timer at the auto-x and drag strip. Other than that, I just drive easy nearing my destination.
Rick

 

your turbo timmer can keep your fans on after your car is turned off

 

i remember reading about a guy who had his timer set for a few minutes....when he came back his engine was all fcuked....apparently a coolant hose came off somehow...bad rumor? i don't know...but possible.

 

YES IT'S USEFUL WHAT KINDA QUESTION IS THAT? but yes it's very useful and healthy for your FD and their turbo's

 

Its not useful to water cooled turbos like the 3rd gen has......as Max so kindly already pointed out

I installed on in my car when I first bought it 3 years ago, however it was based on info from friends that didnt know what they were talking about. Its still in the car and I havent turned it on in about 2 years

STEPHEN

 

I think I am agreeing more with max, stephen and the like....

since installing my PFC....I have sat in the car after driving and tried to see if my temps change significantly...which it doesn't seem to (though I get alot of wierd looks from people walking by my car)

plus from what everyone is saying...that coking thing is not true at all....

 

Stuff like this is overkill, in my opinion. It reminds me of the people on here that say they pop their hoods and turn on the turbo timer every single time they shut down. What a waste!

 

I have one, put it on auto (builds time based on rpms, incase I boost 10psi into my parking space at work...)and hide it in the glovebox, never see it and if it wants it'll leave my car on...cool little gadget, that's about it though.

 

That is exactly what I use mine for. Make sure you have a good battery though!

 

I like my HKS Type-1 for all the other cool functions like 0-60, 1/4mile, stopwatch, tide levels, sperm count, and that sort of thing...I installed mine based on other folks thoughts on turbo cool down time. Never really knew it's not needed if you have water cooled turbos...

Either way, I let mine go for 30 seconds because the auto timer reads off 3krmp or somewhere in there...that's like hwy cruzing speed...so even if you didn't spool up it still tries to have you do a 1:00 cooldown...I just set it to 30 seconds and leave it...Not long enough for heatsoak and can't do anything but help...My 2¢

 

I use the cool blue display Volt meter on mine that's it.

 

i szy if you wnat to let it sit a bit jsut put on a song when you done driving and relax and then when the song is done shutter down. thats what i do lol.
joel

 

somethign like that sorta happened to me, i got to work set the timer for 2 minutes and when i came back there was a huge pile of coolant sitting underneath it. My engine was fine though, the timer could've actually saved it b/c had it not busted with the timer it woudla busted on the way home and i woulda been out in the ghetto and there was no way i woudla pulled over at 10:00 pm.
-stephen

 

I guess I could have been nicer in my wording, but I just don't think a turbo timer is useful. I had one installed in my car for several years and never used it. I also had one in my old T2 and I always used it, but I don't think it really helped anything. It just caused people to think I left my car on and burned gas. I don't think turbo timers have any great benefits for the turbos themselves, though I realize that not everyone who uses one is doing so with the intent of saving their turbo(s).

If I go to the track, I just leave the car running (hood open) with the keys in it for a while after I pull off. I have never heard of anyone getting their car stolen at a track event and I'm usually standing next to it so there isn't much risk there. On the street, I just avoid boost on the way into my parking space. I am not convinced that sitting and idling with the hood closed is good for the car. I don't think it is that bad for it, either, I just think it is unneccessary.

I don't have a parking brake anymore, so I couldn't use a turbo timer even if I did have one. Perhaps I am just jealous of those that can.

-Max