I feel quite dumb not knowing what the 'Turbo timer' is while reading forum posts and tutorials, so I just have the ask. What exactly is the turbo timer? :)

ok...its a device which detects how much you've thrashed the turbo's during a drive and then sets a timer...so when you pull up and switch off the ignition the engine runs for that extra amount of time....this is to stop oil being burnt in the turbo's and shortening their life span....HTH

Oh, I see. Are those things shipped with the car, or do you need to buy them separately?

Mine came with a turbo timer when it was imported. Its an older version with push buttons, 1MIN, 3MIN, 5MIN....I leave mine set on 3MIN, but if I have been driving the car hard, I will set it to 5MIN.

Okay. Yeah, now when I think about it I cant remember seeing something like that on the Z's I’ve tried so far so I assume you have to buy them separately..

yeah....Blitz do an automatic version which set the time length...not very expensive...and can act as a boost gauge...more acurate than the stock one...so you can see if you got any boost leaks or your running safety boost etc

http://www.blitz-uk.co.uk/2003/electronics.html

It doesn’t look to good, but you can always hide it in the glove compartment :D

 

Talking about the stock boost gauge, how inaccurate is it? Is it just something like 0.5 psi or more like 5 psi?

Btw, where have you guys placed your turbo timer?

got a blitz dual fatt, its just slightly larger than the zeds clock. my clock never worked, so i stuck mine in there ;)

or even better, after a good hard thrash, give the car 5 mins gentle driving before switching off. much better than just letting it idle IMO - & its free!! :)

I like your alternative Paul C, and I think it’s always good to give it at least a couple of minutes gentle driving before ending the trip even if you would have a turbo timer. :) Mowgs's idea doesn’t sound that bad either, in case it really fits in there good, something hanging out halfway and fastened with duck tape doesn’t really attract me :D

Btw, where have you guys placed your turbo timer?

 

i got the older version of the DTT X TURBO TIMER.....i put where i cant see it...tucked under the centre console by my left leg...just eased the panel out a little and slid it behind...once set to auto never needs looking at unless you want to see your boost all the time

the stock gauge is ok'ish in its accuracy but probably a bit slack after 15 years....the worst is its analogue (needle type) and hard to see exactly what it is pointing at....therefore its much easier to read numbers off a digital display

:)

I like your alternative Paul C, and I think it’s always good to give it at least a couple of minutes gentle driving before ending the trip even if you would have a turbo timer. :) Mowgs's idea doesn’t sound that bad either, in case it really fits in there good, something hanging out halfway and fastened with duck tape doesn’t really attract me :D

 

duck tape? fook off - what do you think i am!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gaffa tapes much stronger!! :rofl:

 

just needed a little trimming of the plastic on the centre console, and used the original screws with a little bit of mesh from behind to hug it in place.

 

i wont show a pic of mine cos i dont have a steady hand :slap: - but most people should be able to make it look stock with ease.

Okay :)

Yep, It's probably quite much easier to see from a digital display, especially if you really know all about this technical stuff :) Myself I don’t really know very much, so it’s ok for me if I just see that it works, and somewhat exactly how much pressure there are in the turbos :)

Mowgs, didn’t mean to insult you in any way :), I just meant in average "redneck-style", as they call it in the US isn't very attractive. But I’m sure you could make it look very good. If you really want to make it looking good(?) you maybe could take apart the clock and the turbo timer and try to fit the turbo timer display into the frame of the clock. I cant really build an image in my head of what this would look like, as I can't remember what the Z clock looks like so I don’t know what the result would be :)

Mine is under the stearing wheel!

Mowgs, didn’t mean to insult you in any way :), I just meant in average "redneck-style", as they call it in the US isn't very attractive. But I’m sure you could make it look very good. If you really want to make it looking good(?) you maybe could take apart the clock and the turbo timer and try to fit the turbo timer display into the frame of the clock. I cant really build an image in my head of what this would look like, as I can't remember what the Z clock looks like so I don’t know what the result would be :)

 

no offence taken mate ;) i was jokin. if you've got the patience to do that, it would probably fit - hats off if you do!!!

:)

 

I don’t have a Z yet, but when I get mine (waiting to find the perfect one ;)) I'm probably going to install a turbo timer on it if it doesn’t have one installed already. So I may give the clock a try if it seems to fit. But there is always a risk when you start modding the original parts, as there is usually no way back but buying a new original one. Therefore I usually don’t want to brake anything original :)

is there actually any benefit over installing a turbo timer rather than gentle down running of the engine after a good drive if the answer is yes what timers would people recomend i have heard good reports on the blitz timers. and where would the best place be to obtain and have the timer fitted

is there actually any benefit over installing a turbo timer rather than gentle down running of the engine after a good drive if the answer is yes what timers would people recomend i have heard good reports on the blitz timers. and where would the best place be to obtain and have the timer fitted

 

i would actually say that a turbo timer is WORSE that driving gently for a short while after giving them a hard time. its just a lazy way of giving the tubs a bit of help!

 

stationary at idle, theres no air flow & oil pressure is at its lowest!!

 

never used one - never will!

thank you for that info paul i have been giving the car about 5 mins gentle "therapy" after harder driving and im hoping this will be sufficient

i would actually say that a turbo timer is WORSE that driving gently for a short while after giving them a hard time. its just a lazy way of giving the tubs a bit of help!

 

stationary at idle, theres no air flow & oil pressure is at its lowest!!

 

never used one - never will!

 

 

i give the car therapy too - just use it as an extra precaution. when you say worse - how do you mean? surely all the help you give the tubs is better??

I had Intellistart with my alarm system so I just press the button when I finish my journey and take the key out. I then remember I've left the car running and turn it off from my armchair!

surely though if the is no air flow through the oil coolers then there is going to be no benefit by having the engine idiling to cool the turbos although i will admit to sitting in the car after a journey with the engine running just admiring the sound the twin 5" blitz exhausts make so i am my cars own turbo timer i guess lol

Oh, that sounds interesting! Where could you get those Intellistart systems?

although standing the oil coolers wont have any air flow, the turbo compressor will still have time with a constant oil supply to the bearings/shaft to slow down.. the pressure from the exhaust at idle wont be enough to spin the turbine much so it gives everything chance to spin down.

 

However its not just the tubby that needs time to cool down after 'spirited' driving. Brakes benefit from cool down time as does the entire engine bay. I had a modded 200 that got very hot under the bonnet, but never used a turbo timer, much prefered to just chill the car on the last 5-10 mins of the drive home (also never hurts to drive sensibly round places you drive often...) then if it was a fast drive until my destination (motorway speeds) just give the car a few mins chilling on the driveway..