10 Turbocharged Cars That Became Legends In The Tuning Scene

Turbocharging technology has been around for over a century, but only in the last couple of decades have we truly explored and exploited the wonders of boost. You see, the rise of the tuning culture became synonymous with turbocharging because boost unlocked easy power. Before forced induction became commonplace, the only easy way to add quick power to a naturally aspirated engine was with the help of nitrous oxide (and this still is the case). A proper nitrous oxide setup still costs less than getting a proper turbo kit for a naturally aspirated engine, but just like everything in life, there are pros and cons.

The biggest of these cons is that no automaker was going to start offering nitrous oxide refills at the dealership as a standard service (as cool as that may have sounded). Thus, turbocharging/supercharging has become the obvious and ideal power adder for OEM applications. Yet, perhaps automakers didn’t realize how much impact their turbocharged performance cars would have. As soon as people realized you could just “crank up the boost”, an entirely new branch of the automotive industry was instantly created. Here are ten vehicles with exceptional turbocharged engines that became legends in the tuning scene thanks to their incredible performance.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources. The models below have been ranked in chronological order.

10

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)

Horsepower: 276 HP

If it wasn’t for motorsport, we wouldn’t have nice things like the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R and its iconic 2.6-liter twin-turbo RB26DETT inline-six.

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R Performance Specifications

The 2.6-liter twin-turbo RB26DETT inline-six that powered the R32 GT-R would set the stage for the entire next era of turbocharged performance. At its debut, it was by far the most advanced inline-six engine ever produced with its six individual throttle bodies, cast iron block, and forged internals being its notable features.

Even Nissan was putting bigger turbos on the racing variants of the R32 (as it was intended to be a Group A racer) and the R33 and R34 GT-Rs would offer the same engine, with one of the notable differences being larger and more efficient turbos. Thanks to the RB26DETT’s solid construction, increased power levels and tunability were easily achieved, and doubling stock output levels was possible without much trouble.

9

1992 Mazda RX-7 (FD3S)

Horsepower: 280 HP

The twin-turbocharged rotary-powered FD Mazda RX-7 was a unique response to Nissan’s Skyline GT-R and this sleek sports coupe’s engine remains a legend among tuners due to its compact size and incredible RPM range.

RX-7 Spirit R Performance

Although the piston-less 13B-REW two-rotor was the first sequentially turbocharged engine of any variety, this standout platform would see further development thanks to aftermarket single turbo kits with more modern technology. Despite this, even the stock performance of the 1.3-liter rotary was damn impressive, boasting well over 100 horsepower per liter from a mini-sized engine.

Because this turbo rotary was only available in the FD RX-7 and that was only around for three years (1992-1995), these engines are still relatively rare in comparison to other tuner platforms. Although not as reliable as other engines, they are a lot easier to pull and rebuild thanks to their size and weight, and in the right application, we understand why the rotary continues to tantalize tuning enthusiasts across the globe.

8

1995 Toyota Supra Turbo (MKIV)

Horsepower: 326 HP

The MKIV Toyota Supra became the poster child of 90s JDM tuner greatness thanks to its powerhouse 3.0-liter twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE inline-six engine.

1995 Toyota Supra Turbo Performance Specifications

Yet, the power potential of the JZ platform was already clear when its JDM-only predecessor, the 2.5-liter 1JZ-GTE, debuted in 1990 with 276 horsepower (the same as the initial 2JZ-GTE, despite its smaller size). When the 2JZ-GTE finally did debut, it took the crown of being the most underrated engine from the factory, perhaps ever. Although the 2JZ-GTE is not as popular as it once was due to increased competition among tuning platforms, we wouldn’t be surprised if there are more 1,000+ horsepower 2JZ-GTE engines than any other engine platform in existence.

7

1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi

Horsepower: 280 HP

Once Subaru saw all the attention its Japanese counterparts were getting with their turbocharged engines in the 90s, the rally-focused Japanese brand began to feel left out.

1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi Performance Specifications

They knew they needed to have a solid rebuttal to the turbocharged competition, so the flat-four engine design that had become the brand’s identity reached its peak with the 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi and its 2.2-liter EJ22G engine. This bored-out 2.0-liter flat-four made 280 horsepower on paper thanks to its unique closed deck design along with forged rods and pistons, but everyone knew that in stock form this engine made over 300 horsepower and some light tuning could make that number jump drastically.

Even though we never received this rare JDM EJ engine stateside, the 22B model became the idol of Subaru tuners across the globe. Surpassing the insane performance potential of the 22B GC8 Impreza has become the goal of every turbo Subaru owner since.

6

2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4

Horsepower: 230 HP

The Dodge Neon SRT-4 is perhaps the most underrated tuning platform of all time.

2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4 Performance Specifications

You see, the Dodge Neon SRT-4 learned from the success of the 90s tuner culture, and it was one of the first cars designed and marketed as a tuner car for tuners by tuners. There is no reason this compact economy sedan should be able to make this much power, but it could, because Dodge went all-out to make the SRT-4 more special than any other Dodge model at the time besides the V-10-powered Viper.

The 2.4-liter A853 turbocharged inline-four was rated at 230 horsepower in its most advanced form, but it was clear that this engine offered at least its advertised crank output at the wheels. With structural reinforcements (including forged rods) along with performance optimization for nearly every aspect of the engine, this tunability of the overbuilt SRT-4 was only restricted by the size of the turbo and the SRT-4 remains one of America’s most capable tuning platforms.

5

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX

Horsepower: 286 HP

Mitsubishi, just like Subaru, felt neglected by the rise of the Japanese turbocharged inline-sixes that were stealing the spotlight in the performance segment in the 90s.

Performance Specifications

Few seem to remember that it was Mitsubishi who played a significant role in the popularization of the turbocharger and is one of the oldest turbo manufacturers. Their turbocharged crown jewel, the 2.0-liter 4G63 inline-four, would power the first through ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution from 1992 to 2007.

With its cast-iron block and forged rods, the 4G63 inline-four was the perfect foundation for adding a bigger turbo and more boost. Mitsubishi would follow the same recipe with their rally race car variants, and it is safe to say that their four consecutive World Rally Championship titles can speak to its competitiveness when tuned.

4

2007 Nissan GT-R (R35)

Horsepower: 480 HP

By the late 2000s, all the Japanese platforms that had brought tuning into prominence the decade before had been phased out and canceled with no real successors in sight.

2007 Nissan GT-R Engine Specifications

When details about the Nissan R35 GT-R were first released, its announcement was met with a collective groan by JDM tuning enthusiasts. The fact that it was powered by a V-6 engine just like a Toyota Camry… and with no manual? How could Nissan do this to us? In retrospect, we couldn’t have been more wrong about the 3.5-liter twin-turbo VR38DETT V-6, now known as Nissan’s most capable engine ever built.

Not only would the VR38DETT V-6 outshine the legendary RB26DETT, but the R35 chassis was the perfect platform for breaking speed records previously believed impossible. With 2,000+ horsepower R35 GT-Rs being the norm nowadays, this platform demonstrates a clear lesson in not judging a book by its cover.

3

2010 BMW 335i (E9X)

Horsepower: 302 HP

German automakers didn’t become a real factor in the turbocharged tuning world until the debut of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo N54 inline-six in 2006 (the Porsche Turbo 911 and RUF get an honorable mention).

2010 BMW 335i Performance Specifications

Was the twin-turbo N54 inline-six, found in all “35i” models, such as the E9X BMW 335i, the second coming of the lost art of Japanese tuning glory? Well, yes, and then some. This is because the twin-turbo N54 inline-six consequently laid the foundation for BMW to become the modern leader in turbocharged tunability as well.

Turbos initially made tunability accessible, but piggyback tunes and flasher apps turned what was once a secret science into ubiquitous instant power (as long as you have a phone). Horsepower became “only a click away” and since this change, tuning has never been the same, with app-based solutions becoming at the forefront of the modern landscape. The turbo BMW inline-six may not be perfect, but this platform did revolutionize the tuning game moving forward with incredible versatility, solid construction, and addictive power potential.

2

2015 Volkswagen GTI

Horsepower: 220 HP

Although BMW was the game-changer for modern tunability, Audi and Volkswagen were the original savants of the German turbocharged engine.

2015 Volkswagen GTI Performance Specifications

The 2.0-liter turbocharged EA888 inline-four is the most developed German turbocharged engine of all time and also the longest-lasting German turbocharged engine in production. Yet, it wasn’t until the Evo3 variant released in 2012, as found in the Mk7 Volkswagen GTI, that this platform came into its own as a staple of the tuning world. With simple bolt-ons and an off-the-shelf tune, this little 2.0-liter turbo-four could achieve 400 horsepower, doubling its stock output, all without breaking the bank.

This meant that a GTI could exceed Golf R levels of performance for less money than a Golf R. Even a decade before, this fact would have been considered a miracle. Yet, nowadays, we take this for granted and consider it commonplace because of how easy it is to make more power.

1

2017 McLaren 720S

Horsepower: 710 HP

Just when you thought turbocharged performance cars were getting too fast, the 2017 McLaren 720S made its presence known.

2017 McLaren 720S Performance Specifications

McLaren decided that they would make the twin-turbo V-8 platform the very backbone of their entire brand, and their decision paid off with even the first official McLaren model, the MP4-12C, becoming one of the fastest cars ever made on debut in stock form. By the time 2017 came around, the succeeding 720S model was providing the same performance as seven-figure hypercars thanks to its updated 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine.

This meant a sub-10-second standing quarter time in stock form, so once tuners started messing with the platform, it revealed insane capabilities. Back in 2020, a stock block, stock transmission, and stock turbo 720S was able to achieve 199.9 MPH in the standing half mile with only a tune, a new world record at the time.

In 2023, a fully built 720S with 1,400 horsepower finally broke this record to achieve the title of the world’s fastest McLaren with a 202 mph standing half mile. Tuning has come a long way since twisting screws in carburetors, and we hope to see much more in the next decades as our turbocharged technology only gets more and more refined.