Tests show gap between genuine aftermarket turbos and copies

Replacement turbos built to the original specifications of the factory-installed part they replace have significantly better performance, CO2 and NOX emissions than non-original copies a study commissioned by Honeywell Transportation Systems confirm.

The test of several turbocharger replacements was conducted in the United Kingdom by Millbrook Group. The study used the average of two homologated replacement turbos built to original equipment specifications (OE Fit) from Honeywell’s Garrett brand of replacement turbos as well as a leading competitor to compare against the highest-selling third-party units in Europe, which were reverse-engineered or remanufactured without qualified turbo factory support.

The results indicate:

• Low-end torque with an engine using a copy turbocharger was decreased by 15 percent to 40 percent compared to OE Fit turbochargers.
• NOx emissions from non-OE copy turbochargers were between 8 percent and 28 percent higher than OE Fit turbochargers.
• CO2 emissions from some non-OE copy turbochargers were nearly 3 percent greater measuring between 2.0g/km and 4.5g/km higher than OE Fit turbochargers, or an emissions amount approximately equivalent to using an additional liter of fuel for every tank driven.

“The results of this independent study are a clear indication of why Honeywell’s Garrett genuine replacement turbochargers from Honeywell are the best value proposition for distributors, installers and the end customer,” said Eric Fraysse, Aftermarket vice president and general manager at Honeywell Transportation Systems. “While this test was done using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), we expect the performance and emissions gap would have been even larger had the more relevant Worldwide Light Duty Test Cycle (WLTC) been used.”