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Turbo timers - Good idea or Not?

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Old 02 April 2006 | 08:59 PM
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Default Turbo timers - Good idea or Not?

Hi Guys and Gals


Simple question.

Turbo timers. Are they worth it or not and if so which one to go for?

any help would be appreciated.

i'm trying to build up a list of items worth buying when I eventually get my scooby just in case there not already fitted.

Thanks
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:07 PM
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M8 had one in his wrx said it was worth the cash.
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:18 PM
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If you want a Turbo timer which has no other functions and is simply a TT then you will have a complete waste of good money on your hands
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Brun
If you want a Turbo timer which has no other functions and is simply a TT then you will have a complete waste of good money on your hands
Why is it a waste of money?

not being funny just not sure why there a waste of money?

is it easier than sitting in your car waiting for the turbo to slow down or does it not take that long?

thanks
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:36 PM
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Your better getting one fitted in with your alarm (like the Clifford range do) - you pull up after a heavy run, click your button then leave your car and lock it up and not have to worry/sit there for 3 mins while it cools down, after the elapsed time the car turns itself off with the alarm still armed - only downside is that it makes your insurance void. but they wouldnt get very far in 3 minutes.

But a cracking piece of kit though

Regards

Justin
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:44 PM
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Not as technically minded as some on here but here are my thoughts from a logical point of view -

1 Would Subaru, or any other company, make a car that would have damaged turbo bearings if you didn't sit in it for 5 mins to cool the oil - I think not.

2. I drove mine for 2 years (not in one go !) and never needed one, as do 99% of Subaru owners.

3. If ever there was a "boyracer" gimmick, then a turbo timer is it.

4. If you are that worried about your turbo bearings, then drive sensibly for the last 5 mins of your journey, and let the oil cooler sort it out.

Don't get sucked into buying "boyracer" stuff, save your money for more important things like a knocklink (sorry, couldn't resist !!).

Regards,
Graeme.
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by graeme.
1 Would Subaru, or any other company, make a car that would have damaged turbo bearings if you didn't sit in it for 5 mins to cool the oil - I think not.
Dont they come with manufacturers warning stickers telling you to let it idle/cool down before switching off? Mine does.
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:54 PM
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got a 1997 uk turbo. still got the sticker on my drivers door saying pretty much that
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:55 PM
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Think it's cheaper to just take it easy for the last few minutes of your journey or just sit in the car with engine running for a minute or two when you stop.
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:57 PM
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Ive had a turbo timer on my car for over 3 years and i bet ive used it about 2 times in the past couple of years, its some thing that you will use when you first get it and then just like that sandwich toaster it will be forgotten about and never used.

Andy
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:58 PM
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thanks for the advice guys, another thing I don't need to buy.


thanks again
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by turboDean
Think it's cheaper to just take it easy for the last few minutes of your journey or just sit in the car with engine running for a minute or two when you stop.
personally agree. do that every morning before work. and when i get home
Old 02 April 2006 | 09:59 PM
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YES!!!!

But the clifford alarm option is a goood one as well especially with the Intellistart. As then you can start your car with the alarm remote confuses the F out of my local chippy as when I get my food and begin to leave the light's come on then the engine start's their faces are sort of or and all I do is .
Old 02 April 2006 | 10:01 PM
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Any responsible driver of a turbo car will allow their car to tick over for a minute after a thrash. Why waste money on a TT when common sense does it for you. Spend your money elsewhere.
Old 02 April 2006 | 10:23 PM
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Phew !!

Can't believe I got away with that one.

I expected a bit of backlash for daring to say turbo-timers are a waste of time. Nice to see common sense prevails.

Cheers,
Graeme.
Old 02 April 2006 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Brun
If you want a Turbo timer which has no other functions and is simply a TT then you will have a complete waste of good money on your hands
how totally uninformative.
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:02 PM
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ive got a tt on mine i do use it,its very good and works with the clifford but i wouldnt go and buy one.the tt is set when i turn the keys off i get out lock the car walk away and wait until it turns off i cant bring myself to leave it running while im off round the corner.so waist of time i may aswell sit in the car and keep warm.
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:06 PM
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I'd say that a Turbo Timer is nothing more than a 'gimmick'.Anyone with any sense will drive the last mile or so at an ordinary pace or at least let the car tickover for a minute of so to disperse the excess heat in the turbo unit.Why invalidate your insurance with a TT??
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by *AL*
I'd say that a Turbo Timer is nothing more than a 'gimmick'.Anyone with any sense will drive the last mile or so at an ordinary pace or at least let the car tickover for a minute of so to disperse the excess heat in the turbo unit.Why invalidate your insurance with a TT??
As well as breaking the law, it is an offence to leave an engine running in an unoccupied car.

Maz
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by banny sti
As well as breaking the law, it is an offence to leave an engine running in an unoccupied car.

Maz
There you go............a waste of money!
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by banny sti
As well as breaking the law, it is an offence to leave an engine running in an unoccupied car.

Maz
i better tell my mate. hes got a TT on his EVO. that will make his day!
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:18 PM
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check out your insurance as well, if the car was pinched while TT'ing I think I know what my insurance company would say, tough titty mate!
Old 02 April 2006 | 11:54 PM
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Have my Turbo timer declared on insurance. I have had NO comments from them about it.
Old 03 April 2006 | 12:54 AM
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how totally uninformative.
I think you will find that i have informed the original poster that a TT is a waste of money and my claim has been backed up by a number of other people
Old 03 April 2006 | 01:09 AM
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Originally Posted by s70rjw
Any responsible driver of a turbo car will allow their car to tick over for a minute after a thrash. Why waste money on a TT when common sense does it for you. Spend your money elsewhere.
That's fine until you're on the motorway and bursting for a ****. It doesn't take anything like 5 minutes to park at a services, so you have the choice of have a TT and all is good, or wait for the car to cool down on it's own and **** your pants.

Of course, TTs are illegal in this country, so you have to go for the second option.
Old 03 April 2006 | 01:40 AM
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Fit a TT incase you suddenly decide you need a **** 100m from the nearest services sliproad

Brun - see's the light and rushes off to Ebay
Old 03 April 2006 | 01:43 AM
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Thinking about it - how often do you sit ON boost on the motorway?
A motorway trip is probably the one trip where you don't need to let the turbo cool down
Old 03 April 2006 | 08:22 AM
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Well, since my car starts boost at about 2.5K (sequential twin turbo) I end up sat on boost the whole time I'm using the motorway, unless it's the M6.
Old 03 April 2006 | 09:29 AM
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Had a turbo timer on the GT4 (was fitted when I got it).

It was very easy to use, you just got out of the car, locked it and walked away. The time was set by how much revs/boost you had been using recently, so if you drove steadily the car would switch off straight away, if you thrashed it, it would run for 5 minutes.

Not sure if it made a difference, but this was a 12 year old car still with its original turbo.
Old 03 April 2006 | 09:51 AM
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had one like that on when I boung the car, but got a Clifford new. Only use it if 'needed' to use boost just before parking though.
I think it's a good sign if the car you buy has one fitted, show the previous owner looked after it (to an extent)



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