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Location:
Perth
Registered:
October 2002
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Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 03:22
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OK, this isn't really a shit-stir, I'm just a bit bored at work and wish I was back in my garage. So, I'm posing a bit of a silly question to the Toymodders out there.
I'm about to get my 1JZGTE powered Supra on the road. This will be the first turbo car I've ever owned. Seems like turbo timers are becoming standard issue for everyone as soon as they get their cars.
Now, I'm thinking, if they are that good at protecting the turbos, why in the hell didn't Toyota install them in the factory? After all, this is a company that builds massive amounts of engine protection and redundant safety features into their products. I know that they make life easier for car thieves by exposing all the wires nescesery to start it up. If I go for a freeway drive, I can always do the last leg of the journey at an easy cruise to cool things doqwn. At worst, I can even sit in the car for a couple of minutes before getting out. To me, a good oil temp gauge sounds far more useful.
But that doesn't seem to be the consensus. What am I missing? Why should I get a turbo timer?
cheers,
Justin
1984 SDR JZA61 Celica-Supra
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 03:54
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its just for convenience - for the people who dont want to sit in their car for 1-3 minutes letting their turbos cool down.
beats the hell outta me why they're not standard, security Im guessing
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 04:01
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turbo timers make cars easilier to steal. also i doubt toyota want to responible for turbo timers that switch of too early and have to be replacing turbos under warranty
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 04:41
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They are good if you are the sort of lazy person who isn't going to cool down the turbos after a hard drive (which you should do).
Having said that, they are technically illegal so...
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 04:45
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Turbo timers are only useful if you hop out of your car immediately after flogging the hell out of it for an extended period. When you think about it, very few people actually do that - it's far more likely you'll be cruising through the suburbs under light load for a few minutes before you pull into your driveway. By then the turbo has cooled down and it's perfectly safe to shut off the engine.
Frankly I think turbo timers are more of a wank feature than anything else. There are very few cases where you'd have to idle the car down for more than 30 seconds, and as explained above, most of the time even that isn't necessary.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 09:36
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It comes in handy when you roll up to some place and get the itch to be a wanker and put the boot in just before you pull up. 
Also, AFAIK, they're not illegal. It's illegal to have your car idling unattended with the keys in the ignition...
I love my turbo timer, 'coz I couldn't be bothered to drive sedately near my destination. 
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I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 09:41
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Can somebody explain to me why a turbo timer would be a security risk?
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Location:
The Rainy City
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:12
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They make the hotwiring of a car heaps simpler.
I wont go into detail as to how, because my car has one!
Just take my word for it 
cheers
tom.
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:26
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Depends on how you wire it (and the alarm) up. 
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:29
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If this was the case, why do people have remote engine start features that come with their security alarm systems. Same theory is it not ?
If you only use a turbo timer after a strap around the country side why not invest in a $15 kill switch that can be activated on departure... ???? 
No imagination some people...
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I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:32
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I dont see how a turbo timer would make hotwiring easier unless of corse the wiring is a bit iffy 
It would be no different to just ripping the wiring out of the ingition barrel to hot wire it!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:34
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Me thinks they are refering to the fact that the selected wires have been seperated already ....
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I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 10:41
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| boudan wrote on Tue, 28 October 2003 20:34 |
Me thinks they are refering to the fact that the selected wires have been seperated already ....
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This would then mean the wiring is a bit iffy
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 11:32
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heh - they can try and pinch my car - but as soon as it finishes its turbo timer cyle - usually a minute - the car shuts down ...
and by that time they would have had to bypass all the other security .. Im only about 20 meters from the car by then too ..
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 11:33
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I leave it on for 5mins when i get home from work just to annoy the scum bags next door 
mooohahhahahahha
Allan
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 11:34
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| Classique71 wrote on Tue, 28 October 2003 22:32 |
heh - they can try and pinch my car - but as soon as it finishes its turbo timer cyle - usually a minute - the car shuts down ...
and by that time they would have had to bypass all the other security .. Im only about 20 meters from the car by then too ..
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is that a challenge?
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 11:34
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I do love upsetting the elderly with the turbo timer in supermarkets - many times ive been pulled up with a " sonny - youve left your car running "
Im like " yeah i know - thanks "
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Location:
Colac, Victoria
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 11:44
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lang - u could try - but i can cover 20 meters bloody quick and im a mean little bastard if someone touches my car
its amazing how effective keys can be against flesh
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
April 2003
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 21:59
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When I got my car engineered he asked if I was getting a turbo timer for it and I said said yes.
The engineers reply to this was that when you wire it up for security reasons you have to wire it up through the handbrake, so when the timer's running the car down, if some wanker smashes a window jumps in your car and goes to drive off as soon as he realeses the hand brake the timer cuts and the engine dies.
I like the sound of that. probably one of the best suggestions I have heard.
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I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 22:09
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| wiso wrote on Wed, 29 October 2003 07:59 |
When I got my car engineered he asked if I was getting a turbo timer for it and I said said yes.
The engineers reply to this was that when you wire it up for security reasons you have to wire it up through the handbrake, so when the timer's running the car down, if some wanker smashes a window jumps in your car and goes to drive off as soon as he realeses the hand brake the timer cuts and the engine dies.
I like the sound of that. probably one of the best suggestions I have heard.
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Ummm, every half decent timer I have seen does get connected to the handbrake
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Tue, 28 October 2003 22:59
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Turbo timers are evil. Total wank factor.
They proclaim to everyone "I have a modified turbo car, and this is where I park it".
My brother got his car stolen because he let the turbo timer go and left the car when he was at a shopping center. This is inviting trouble! He had other alarms and switches, but theives know about these switches better than the people that installed them. The handbrake switch is easy - don't put the handbrake down all the way - more damage to your car.
Only thing that saved his car from too much damage was that it was a lead tipped arrow and the theif couldn't handle the power and ended up snapping the rear axle when he hit the curb.
When I had my turbo I would KNOW that I was about to go in the drive way or about to get to my destination and slow down to a nice pace, to cool down the turbo (and other parts of the car - brakes). Then when I got there I'd take my time getting myself ready to leave then last thing turn the car off.
And Cool1, the wires going into the turbo timer are mainly the ignition wire and a few other cut-off switches, so if you connect that ignition wire up then roll-start the car, you've got the car.
Main problem with turbo timers is that the average jo-blogs install them. They do it in an obvious place and with dodgy wiring (seperated, colour coded etc.).
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Wed, 29 October 2003 03:53
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how about cars with immobilisers?
correct me if im wrong.. but even if an engine is switched on and someone ganks ur car.. without the key in the ignition the engine automatically shuts off right?
peace
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Turbo Timers: Good or Bad?
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Wed, 29 October 2003 04:04
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good turbo timers are connected to handbrake and speedo (like mine).
but pete - you're right about them drawing unwanted attention and making it easier to steal
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