How to Clock a Turbo

There are lots of cars with turbos already installed, and there are even turbo kits to add to your non-turbo car to get some extra horsepower. However, there comes a time when you may have to redo the tubing or adjust the turbo to get better oil flow. To do that, you need to clock the turbo, which describes adjusting the way the turbo center and outer housings fit on the turbo inlet in relation to each other. This is particularly important when installing a new turbo system so the turbo doesn't interfere with other parts.

Things You'll Need

• Open-end wrench set

Instructions

1. Pop the hood and locate the turbo on the engine. The turbo is going to be off of the exhaust manifold, near the heads of the engine. There is an inlet to the turbo directly attached to the exhaust manifold, which connects to a center section, then to an outlet that connects to tubing that runs to the intake or throttle body.

2. Loosen the six bolts that hold the center section to the inlet and outlet of the turbo using the wrench. Each bolt needs to be loosened only a few turns.

3. Turn the turbo by the center section so it's positioned where you want it to be. This is why it's known as clocking the turbo, as you're turning the portions of the turbo like a clock. Typically, you want to position the oil return line to point straight down, or to adjust where the outlet port goes.

4. Tighten the bolts on the center section with the wrench once everything is positioned correctly.

References

• YouTube video on clocking a turbo
• Team Integra post on clocking a turbo