ATP Turbo: Big Power, Stock Location, Zero Headache
For many enthusiasts, upgrading a turbocharger means entering a nightmare of custom fabrication: new manifolds, custom downpipes, and relocated fluid lines. ATP Turbo (Advanced Turbo Performance) changed the game. Based in California, they specialize in engineering high-performance "Bolt-on" turbo kits that fit in the factory location but deliver supercar-rivaling horsepower.
ATOMIC-SHOP is your source for authentic ATP solutions. Whether you drive a Subaru STI, VW Golf R, Focus RS, or Mazdaspeed, ATP allows you to bolt on a legendary Garrett GTX or G-Series turbocharger without reinventing your engine bay. It is the ultimate solution for "sleeper" builds and serious street cars.
The Engineering Magic: Garrett Inside, ATP Outside
ATP Turbo's brilliance lies in their ability to bridge the gap between Garrett's racing technology and your specific vehicle. Garrett produces the world's best turbo cores (CHRA), but their standard housings often use generic flanges (T3, T4) that don't fit stock manifolds.
ATP solves this by casting their own proprietary turbine housings using high-nickel Ni-Resist iron. These housings feature the specific mounting flanges for cars like the Subaru EJ25 or VW EA888 on the outside, but are machined to accept modern Garrett GTX Gen II and G-Series aerodynamics on the inside. You get Formula 1 technology in a package that bolts right up to your engine.
| Turbo Upgrade Path | Installation Difficulty | Performance Ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Frame Hybrid | Easy (Bolt-on). | Low/Medium. The small physical size of the stock housing chokes the engine at high RPM (High Backpressure). |
| ATP Bolt-on Series | Easy (Bolt-on). Fits stock manifold and downpipe locations. | High. Uses full-frame Garrett cores. The ATP housing flows significantly more air than any hybrid. |
| Rotated / Custom Kit | Hard. Requires custom fabrication, welding, and layout changes. | Maximum, but at a huge cost in time, money, and drivability. |
Eliminating Backpressure
The biggest challenge with stock-location turbos is exhaust flow. ATP addresses this with high-flow wastegate ports. In their Subaru "Gold" series and Focus ST kits, the wastegate passage is contoured to prevent turbulence and boost creep. This allows the engine to exhale freely, reducing Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) and allowing for more ignition timing advance—which means more safe power.
Why Choose ATP?
- The "Sleeper" Factor: You can have 500+ HP while looking completely stock under the hood. ATP turbos often work with factory heat shields.
- Reversibility: Because you aren't cutting your chassis or welding custom pipes, you can easily return the car to stock if you decide to sell it.
- Ball Bearing Reliability: Unlike cheaper journal bearing turbos, ATP kits use Garrett's Dual Ball Bearing cartridges, which offer unmatched durability and transient response.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a tune after installing an ATP Turbo?
Absolutely. An ATP turbo flows significantly more air than the stock unit. Without an ECU remap (tune), your engine will run dangerously lean, leading to catastrophic failure. You will also likely need upgraded fuel injectors and a high-flow fuel pump to feed the beast.
Is it laggy?
Surprisingly, no. While physically larger than stock, the efficiency of modern Garrett aerodynamics combined with ball-bearing technology minimizes lag. A GTX3071R Gen II might spool only 300-400 RPM later than a stock turbo but will pull hard all the way to redline where the stock turbo would fall flat.
Does it fit my stock intake?
ATP turbos usually feature a 3-inch or 4-inch compressor inlet to maximize airflow. Since most stock intake pipes are smaller, ATP often provides or recommends a specific silicone coupler or inlet pipe to bridge the connection. Always check the kit contents to see if an inlet adapter is required.