I found this sticky on ephatch.com who found it on crsx.com. It seems pretty helpful and universal. It is basically an introduction to people who want to turbo. Props go to the author who made this.
Note: Sorry moderators for dividing this into many posts. It is more organized this way. Feel free to change if necessary. Also, this would be a good sticky.
[b]<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>BEFORE Turbo Modifications </span></span>
TO MODIFY or NOT,
THAT is the Question! From discussions with many Turbo owners, I have found that some want to retain the factory performance, while others want to make major modifications for the full power potential of their Turbo Vehicle.
( typed car but changed it, because you may have a Van or 4WD as some of our RTO's do.)
In between these two extremes are many that are trying to increase power to a reasonable ( for them ) level, while not spending a lot of money and retaining reliability. ( forget fuel consumption because to make power you have to burn the required amount of fuel.) ( at least while under boost!!! )
There are many ways to save money while doing modifications and power ups, and that is what the this info is all about. I would be one of the most cost conscious rev heads around but some (most) times you have to spend money (wisely) to make power. Obviously the more you can do yourself, the cheaper any modification becomes. If you know exactly what needs to be done, paying someone else to do just that also saves money. It's when you are unsure of what is required to be done to achieve your goals that leaves you open to exploitation. This is usually by persons who may or may not know how and what to do to meet your expectations. To this goal of doing what requires to be done to meet your needs, we will endeavour to advise you on the best way to proceed.
[b]<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>Detonation</span></span>
PINGING, PINKING ( or DEATH RATTLES )
These are names for two conditions that can cause loss of power or pistons. You have probably heard them under the bonnet your self.
Detonation and Pre-ignition are two separate effects with different causes, but can occur at the same time. Detonation of the fuel air mixture under boost conditions is the number one enemy of any turbo engine. Detonation is defined as it says as a detonating effect in the combustion chamber on the compression stroke as the piston progresses on to its downward power producing travel under normal operation. The power caused by combustion is meant to be produced in a smooth (relatively) expanding of various gases as a product of burning the fuel air mixture.
Detonation is similar to hitting the top of the piston with a gelignite charge instead of a mighty push. I have not read any statistics on this but I suspect that the flame front on normal combustion travels throughout the chamber at up to three thousand feet per second similar to a rifle cartridge being fired. This produces the fast push to the piston from the rapidly expanding gasses, while the speed of the flame front on detonation could be up to ten thousand feet per second, similar to an explosive initiating detonator.
From experience this is similar to the known fact that under loading ( less powder than air at the right ratio) in a rifle cartridge can cause the effect of the whole breech block exploding instead of just pushing the projectile down the barrel. My early career was RAAF Armourer with extensive weapons and advanced explosives training and experience, so I have drawn my own conclusions above. Irrespective of cause,
Detonation is to be avoided at any cost.