What is a Wastegated Turbocharger and How Does it Work?
A turbocharger is designed to provide peak boost for the engine under maximum power at high RPM. Because of this, a turbo is less efficient at providing boost at lower RPMs and in the torque range. In order to improve boost at the lower RPMs, a wastegated turbine housing that is smaller is put on the turbo to allow the boost to build sooner in the RPM range. To prevent overboosting, a wastegate actuator opens, as boost reaches maximum pressure for that engine, and “dumps” the exhaust gas before it spins the turbine wheel any faster.
