Can you tell if car is turbo by listening?

[YoMommaWoo]

I was just curious. When someone's relating a kill story, they talk about how they could hear the other car had a turbo. I understand under certain circumstances this is possible, like if the car has a bov or if the driver suddenly backs off the throttle and you get that cyclic sound from the turbo. However, when people talk about being able to hear the wastegate open/close or being able to hear the turbo at high speeds, I'm a little skeptical. I've had a turbo car for some time, and I certainly know one when I hear it. But I've never been able to tell from inside my car whether another car was turbo- particularly while in the midst of a race with all the other ambient noise going on. How about everyone else?

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GReddy turbo'd and intercooled D16Z6. Currently blown.

[MarkC]

vvvvvwwwwwwwwhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrr...........PS HSHSHSHSH...

That's what I listen for. Garrett turbos are a lot louder than Mitsu ones for some reason. You hear them spooling much louder IMO.

You know what is meant by ppl say the 'wastegate opening' right? The integral wastegate of the GReddy turbo kits doesn't make that noise, but if you have an open atmosphere external wastegate it will make a 'thundering roar' at full boost.

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Mark - Darth Boost - Turbo Mafia
98 Pearl Black GS-R, DRAG Gen. 3 Turbo
13.2 at 114MPH (GTech/Pro w/Drag Radials)

[YoMommaWoo]

About the wastegate, I guess I just didn't know what I was listening for. I can't discern anything over the exhaust and road noise.

And that's some trap speed by the way! If you only had more traction....

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GReddy turbo'd and intercooled D16Z6. Currently blown.

[MarkC]

Well... My trap speeds are from the GTech, which overshoots by quite a bit.

My best times at the track were 13.8 at 108.8MPH on reg. street tires (not drag radials).

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Mark - Darth Boost - Turbo Mafia
98 Pearl Black GS-R, DRAG Gen. 3 Turbo
13.2 at 114MPH (GTech/Pro w/Drag Radials)

[98GS]

I was sitting next to a crappy old Daytona the other night at a traffic light I could tell right off the bat he had a turbo. He had a large exhaust and just by the sound it was emiting you could tell that deep within that hollow piping something was doing. And this was at idle, sure nuff when it flipped green, he and reistablished what I had thought.

[228GSR]

So Mark, I know what the BOV sounds like. Is that "wiffle" noise the wastegate? A buddy of mine has a Drag II on his Integra and it sounds awesome.

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99' GSR 13.6 @ 103.4mph
-JRSC w/ Walbro Fuel Pump, AEM Intake, Tanabe Racing Medallion Exhaust, Mugen Header, Ground Control Coilovers/ Koni Adjustable Shocks, and Wings West Body Kit

[MarkC]

That was a good one 98GS. The turbo seems to chop up the exhaust a lot. Makes it into a growlely/choppy rumble. Even at idle. I like it!

228GSR: The wg sound is more of a thundering roar...lol. Well... it depends on how it is set up. On mine it it really loud. On the DRAG2's it was different. I think it's quieter. Mine is loud becuz I have a long pipe attached to it that vents to the bottom of the engine bay.

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Mark - Darth Boost - Turbo Mafia
98 Pearl Black GS-R, DRAG Gen. 3 Turbo
13.2 at 114MPH (GTech/Pro w/Drag Radials)