or at least idling the engine for a minute or so after hard driving-

We all know that letting the engine idle after hard driving doesn't do anything to protect the turbo, because it is cooled with a system separate from the engine. However, the point is that it is the engine OIL that needs to be cooled, because a turbocharged engine generates extremely high engine temperatures that cook the engine oil, and idling after hard driving allows for the oil to return to a more stable viscosity. If the oil remains very hot and the engine is shut off, then the oil begins to cake inside the engine, which eventually reduces engine efficiency and performance as a result of the burned oil coating internal engine surfaces. The cool down period is even more important for non-synthetic oil users. The cool down/idling period is also necessary for high-compression naturally aspirated engines (i.e. BMW/Mercedes engines) that have been driven hard.

p.s. I don't use a turbo timer, because I like to hang out in the car for a minute or so after driving-it's always fun feeling that sense of relaxation after driving at speeds that'll get you and others killed, or at the very least get you tossed in jail

 

Oh that one is going to score you points.......

 

kinda like smoking a cig right after having hard sex huh?

 

turbo timers are far overrated. oil technology has advanced soo much over the years. it really is unecessary to let it idle for a long period of time (1min+), especially with water and oil cooled turbos. i think even 1 minute is too much.

 

you got the picture exactly

 

Makes sense to me... Even assuming it does NOTHING... I see no harm in chilling in the car for 60 seconds to prevent any POSSIBLE damage.

 

Yeah, but when you are always rushing around, you don't have that one minute to be sitting there chilling. This discussion on TT has been going on for years.......

 

A device that costs soo little yet a HUGE peace of mind ... +1 on the TT

 

While you're sitting there 'chilling', the engine fans probably haven't turned on yet, and there's no airflow being drawn across the radiator/engine, things are just heating up more... much more effective cooling takes place just driving w/ low rpms in a higher gear around the block a few times after hard driving.

 

If our cars needed turbo timers, they would have come with them. Stock WRXs can go 150k+ without burning out the turbo without a TT...it's just bling unless you upgrade to some unconventional turbo. Similar to BOVs actually...

 

I think the TT may be useful for people that are modding their cars. The factory car without mods is good, but when you begin to mod a car you need extra stuff. Just like when you add more power to a car, you then need to upgrade your brakes to compensate for the power, so that you can have good stopping power.

If you keep everything stock, then yes the cars do not need them, but if you are upgrading a ton of parts and the engine is working harder, then perhaps it wouldn't hurt to add a little peace-of-mind item like a TT.

Just my thoughts on this.

 

I liked my tt because I could warm my car up in the morning without leaving the keys in it.

 

...exactly why I said for STOCK WRXs they're not needed. Just like BOVs, you only need them if you have an unconventional setup or a ton of HP.

 

Yeah, and the "look-at-me" of it also

 

An engine is hotter while it is running then when it is not. It gets even hotter after a hard drive and it is sitting idle w/o any airflow to the radiator or i/c.

Like someone else said...the best way to cool your car down is a low rpm cruise around the block, and if you are really worried turn on the heater.