"Bolt On" ?

Turbochargers are sometimes described as "bolt on".
My question is what does this mean exactly? Where does the turbo fit and where do u bolt it on? (if u could answer this question specifically for a prelude vtec that be great!) And how ez is it to install?

Thanks for any info! :iceslolan

A turbocharger would technically be a bolt on if your car already came stock with a turbocharger, and already had the necessary oil and coolant lines (otherwise it requires tapping an oil supply and a coolant supply if the turbo you are using is water cooled). Turbocharging a naturally aspirated motor is a little more intensive than just "bolting" it on, but is not beyond the skill of a knowledgable automotive hobbiest. The tubocharger its self connects in four distinct places (excluding oil and coolant lines), each side of the turbocharger making two connections (inlet and outlet). The turbine side of the turbo bolts to the exhaust manifold where it gathers the exhaust energy needed to spin the turbine (this would be the exhaust inlet), the outlet connection of the turbine side rejoins the normal exhaust system via a pipe (called the down pipe) and the exhaust continues on its merry way out to pollute our air. The compressor side inlet is a mere pipe leading to an air filter through which the compressor draws the ambient air to be compressed. The outlet leads to the throttle body, so the now compressed air is forced through and into the manifold (and ultimately into the cylinders). Where the turbocharger is physically positioned matters very little as long as it is above the level of the oil pan so that the oil may be gravity drained back into the oil pan, if it sit below the oil pan a setup including a sump will be needed in order to return the oil to the oil pan.
I borrowed a basic image from Howstuffworks.com (http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turbo1.htm) in order to help illustrate the basic positioning of a turbocharger. This picture leaves out the positioning of oil and coolant lines but that is trivial and can be imagined.

I would add that installing a turbocharger is not for the light mechanic. This is not easy at all and I would say it is one of the most difficult things to install on a car.

If I were you, I would take it to someone that has done it before, unless you know what you're doing, but from the sound of you question I am assuming you don't.

Other than that I can't think of anything to add to Sluttypatton's nice post.

thanks for the very thorough answers that helps alot :bigthumb: