What does a wastegate and blow off valve do?
Do you need an intercooler to have a turbo?

 

Wategate - allows exhaust gas to bypass the turbine to regulate boost levels.
BOV - releases pressure when throttle is shut to prevent air from running back into the turbo and causing a violent reaction

and no you dont have to have an intrercooler but it cerainly helps, mainly to help reduce detonation by lowering intake temps...which then also adds power due to increased air density.

 

when you dont run a BOV on a turbo, its called compressor surge. if you have been around them long enough you can hear it when someone hasnt adjusted their BOV well enough.

and an intercooler isnt 100% necessary to most people but it is to me. the air is super heated by the turbo and hot air = less horsepower and more of a chance for detonation. detonation can blow your engine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kamin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when you dont run a BOV on a turbo, its called compressor surge. if you have been around them long enough you can hear it when someone hasnt adjusted their BOV well enough.

and an intercooler isnt 100% necessary to most people but it is to me. the air is super heated by the turbo and hot air = less horsepower and more of a chance for detonation. detonation can blow your engine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well said