Turbochargers cast directly to the cylinder head coming next? Stellantis patent filing points to future of OEM turbocharging

[Sticky]

Is this where we are headed? More than likely if OEM's can lower their costs. We already see manifolds integrated into cylinder heads spreading through the market which the most notable example of is the MK5 Toyota Supra BMW B58 design.

Turbochargers cast into the cylinder head seem to be next. Why? Reduced costs being the main reason:

The exhaust manifold is, of course, cast in, as is the exhaust housing. It goes a lot further than that, though. The document notes that parts like the wastegate, or at least a place to mount the moving parts of a wastegate, can be cast directly into place, as can parts of the compressor side of the turbo. The core of the turbocharger—the bearings, shaft, turbine, and compressor wheel themselves—are part of a separate cartridge.

Turbochargers cast into the manifold are nothing new but into the cylinder head would certainly change things for the aftermarket in particular. With AMG's featuring turbochargers cast into the manifold (M275 V12) the solution was a new manifold design. What will the aftermarket do here?

It would require an entire new cylinder head design, manifold, turbo, etc., to do an upgrade. Hybrids would become very difficult if you can not access the turbo without removing the cylinder head. Even if you do remove the cylinder head, then what?

This is much more involved than the cylinder head integrated manifold we see on B58 motors. OEM's would also likely love making turbo upgrades much more difficult.

The aftermarket always finds a way but things are sure getting tougher.

[Eleventeen]

I fail to see how an aluminum turbine housing would be able to cope with the EGT’s commonly seen in turbo charged applications, unless they are running coolant through it (terrible idea). This is why they are cast from iron based materials.

Instead of this dumb idea, you could cast the compressor housing into the intake side of the head. Either way, I’m not really worried because this is probably 10 years away from being widely adopted (if ever) and in 15 years, all new passenger cars will likely be electric.

[Sticky]

I fail to see how an aluminum turbine housing would be able to cope with the EGT’s commonly seen in turbo charged applications, unless they are running coolant through it (terrible idea). This is why they are cast from iron based materials.

There's some type of water jacket setup so they're running coolant through it.

[Carbon_m]

Making things even more complicated

[Sticky]

Making things even more complicated

I think from their standpoint is they can just cast the whole thing and make modifying harder.

If something breaks, they can replace the whole thing plus have the turbo cartridge serviceable.

It makes sense as it essentially reduces the number of parts and tooling.