Hey guys, I can't hear my turbo whine like I used to. There is no noticeable loss of power though. Any explanations? I did lose my tailpipe a while back so the car is a bit louder altogether but I have been really trying to hear the turbo and its not noticeable like it used to be.
Were any other changes done to the car? What type of car is this?
ya that could be i'll check
low oil can do weird things to the turbo too... and bad contaminated oil also.
remember that the shaft spins on a 'cushion' of oil. a ball bearing turbo would be pretty pimp, but are expensive. best i can suggest is try changing your oil and see if you notice a difference. if you've changed recently, then take off the intake pipe and just check for play. pretty easy to do.
i personally notice a big difference after an oil change. my turbo spools beautifully. i notice when i have low oil when the turbo doesnt spool until later in the rpm range. if that makes sense

oh and don't forget to let the car warm up a bit before stompin to get your turbo blowin. that turbo needs to heat up first, and can take a few minutes of driving. if driven hard when cold, you may screw up the turbo... just fair warning
thanks much that is some very decent advice there. the oil has been changed not too long ago but yeah I will consider all of what you said. I do think part of it is my loud exhaust drowning it out but thats not all. Thanks again.
did you install a larger downpipe? that should make the turbo more audible if anything... (with a nice free-er flowing exhaust)
nope but, thats next. Thanks for the advice guys but I think everything is ok now. I do hear it and no loss of power so I am not worried.