Reader Question: Turbo’d Tahoe?

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Here’s the latest reader question, along with my reply!

Peter asks: I understand your point (about turbocharged small engines). However, if one were to put a turbo on the V8 in the Tahoe would that improve mpg? And, have you written an article about the new GM 4 cylinder engine for the Cadillac Xt4 & 2019 Blazer? I believe they are turbo charged? Cheers!

My reply: The only reason to add a turbocharger to a V8 would be to increase the power of an already powerful engine.  This – historically – is precisely what turbos were used for. To add power – not make up for lost displacement, which is what turbos are being used for now.

If you turbocharged the Tahoe’s V8, you’d have 400-plus horsepower (under boost) and the temptation to use it would be great – and if you did use it, you’d get worse mileage!

On the XT4 and Blazer: I haven’t sneaked into either yet; it takes some skullduggery because GM revoked my press car privileges after I wrote an article mocking their obsession with race and sexual proclivities!

. . .

Got a question about cars – or anything else? Click on the “ask Eric” link and send ’em in!

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2 COMMENTS

  1. If GM spent less time turbocharging race and sexual issues they could be #1 again in car sales. IT is completely wrong when companies start occupying themselves with these issues.

  2. The one place where it makes sense to add a turbo to boost mpg’s is on a diesel engine. Diesel’s tend to behave differently than gas engines, and on a diesel, a turbo tends to both boost power (especially torque) AND fuel mileage. Every serious working diesel in semi-truck’s, construction/mining equipment, trains, large boats, and farm equipment has been boosted since at least the 70’s (in some applications, the boosting began as early as the 30’s) and diesels in cars and pickups started getting turbos in the late 70’s. By the mid 90’s, pretty much every diesel engine in cars/trucks had picked up a turbo as well.

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