What are the advantages to having a top mount turbo?
 

I'm seeing a lot of people in the Genesis community switching things up and doing a top mount turbo with a new manifold and all. What's the advantage to having this over to just bolting on a different turbo in the bottom mount factory location?

To show it off. I'm sure they'll claim easy access or pipe routing, but that's just an excuse to fondle their turbo.



As long as it provides proper oil drainage, it can be as high as you'd like.

On some cars, it allows fitting a larger turbo. On the old B-Series motor Hondas, to run a big turbo, you had to either top-mount or run a Civic 1/2 radiator.

^ :1:



It's difficult to put a larger turbo in the bottom factory area due to space restraints. It can be done, but it's just easier to do a top mount. There's 3 or 4 companies out there making top mount manifolds now so it's a pretty easy conversion to do.

Another advantage to a properly designed top mount is the ability to have equal length runners and a true divided pulse (twin scroll) housing.