What is meant when people say 'the turbo spools up at xxx rpm'.

My turbo starts whistling at around 2300rpm but is in full flight after 3000rpm. At what point is it considered 'spooled up'?

I don't mind a techincal answer, just didn't know how to word the question.

Thanks

 

I'm no expert, but I would say that it is considered "spooled up" at the point where it actually starts blowing through enough air for the engine to run properly, until then it is starving the engine of air and hindering performance (lag!!)so I would say about 2.6-3k for an older Impreza.

Stuart

 

Yeah,
Like Stuart said, the turbo is spooled up when it starts producing boost, on the cars with larger turbos (mostly older cars or upgraded newer ones) it`s easier to determine where that point is, because when the boost comes on it`s by the shovel load.

Pete

 

I would have thought that the turbo has "spooled up" at the point it has reached the max set boost. Prior to that it's still "spooling up".

Mark.