Turbo boost pressure calculator

Calculate the required turbo boost pressure for your engine by providing the engine's naturally aspirated power and your target horse power.

The formula used in this calculator is a simplified model for estimations only. It does not account for real-world complexities of forced induction systems such as intake temperature, other engine modifications, mechanical losses etc...

Input values

Result

Estimated boost pressure: psi

Understanding the different parameters

Natural Horsepower (HP)

The natural horsepower refers to the engine's power output without any forced induction, such as a turbocharger or supercharger. It represents the baseline performance of the engine in its naturally aspirated state.

Desired Horsepower (HP)

The desired horsepower is the target engine power output you aim to achieve after adding a turbocharger.

Volumetric Efficiency (VE)

Volumetric efficiency (VE) is the percentage of the engine's cylinder capacity effectively filled with air during the intake stroke. It reflects the engine's breathing efficiency and is typically between 85% and 95% for most engines. Higher VE values indicate better airflow management.

Atmospheric Pressure (psi)

Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air surrounding us, typically 14.7 psi at sea level. This value decreases at higher altitudes, which impacts the amount of air available for combustion. Atmospheric pressure plays a key role in determining the boost pressure required.

How to calculate boost pressure

Boost pressure is calculated by determining how much additional air pressure a turbocharger must provide to achieve the desired horsepower.

\( \text{Boost Pressure (psi)} = \left( \frac{\text{Desired Horsepower (HP)}}{\text{Natural Horsepower (HP)} \times \text{Volumetric Efficiency (VE)}} \right) - 1 \times \text{Atmospheric Pressure (psi)} \)

More tools