What Is Turbo Delay?

Turbo Delay is an Electronic Speed Control (ESC) setting that determines how long the ESC waits before applying Turbo Timing after the throttle conditions required for Turbo Timing activation have been met.

In racing ESCs, Turbo Timing provides additional electronic motor timing at higher throttle positions to increase motor RPM and top speed. However, instead of applying this extra timing immediately, Turbo Delay introduces a programmable waiting period.

For example, if Turbo Timing is set to activate at full throttle and the Turbo Delay is set to 0.5 seconds, the ESC will wait half a second after reaching the activation point before adding the programmed Turbo Timing.

Think of Turbo Delay as a timer that controls when Turbo Timing begins working.

---

How Does Turbo Delay Affect Your Car?

Turbo Delay primarily affects acceleration, drivability, motor temperature and how aggressively power is delivered.

Short Turbo Delay
When Turbo Delay is set to a very low value:
• Turbo Timing activates almost immediately.
• The car accelerates harder on long straights.
• Maximum speed is reached sooner.
• The vehicle feels more aggressive.
• Motor and ESC temperatures typically increase.
• Rear traction may become more difficult to manage on low-grip surfaces.

Many racers use shorter Turbo Delay settings when they need maximum straight-line speed and have enough traction to handle the additional power.

Long Turbo Delay
When Turbo Delay is increased:
• Turbo Timing activates later.
• Power delivery becomes smoother.
• Acceleration feels more predictable.
• Motor temperatures may decrease.
• The car becomes easier to drive.
• Top speed may be reduced on shorter straights.

Longer Turbo Delay settings are often useful on technical tracks where the car spends less time at full throttle.

Zero Turbo Delay
Some ESCs allow Turbo Delay to be set to zero.

In this configuration:
• Turbo Timing activates immediately once activation conditions are met.
• Maximum performance is available.
• Motor temperatures rise faster.
• Driving mistakes become more noticeable.

This setting is generally reserved for experienced racers who have optimized the rest of their setup.

---

How Do You Change Turbo Delay?

The exact procedure depends on the ESC manufacturer, but the process is generally the same.

Using ESC Programming Software
1. Connect the ESC to a programming interface.
2. Open the manufacturer’s setup software.
3. Navigate to the Turbo Timing section.
4.Locate the Turbo Delay setting.
5. Adjust the value.
6. Save the settings to the ESC.
7. Test the vehicle on the track.

Using a Programming Box
1. Connect the programming box to the ESC.
2. Enter the Turbo Timing menu.
3. Find Turbo Delay.
4. Increase or decrease the value.
5. Save the changes.
6. Perform a track test.

Typical Turbo Delay Ranges
Most racing ESCs offer values ranging from:
• 0.0 seconds
• 0.1 seconds
• 0.2 seconds
• 0.5 seconds
• 1.0 second
• 2.0 seconds or more

The available range varies by manufacturer.

---

When To Change Turbo Delay

Increase Turbo Delay When:
The Car Is Difficult To Drive
If the car becomes unstable when Turbo Timing activates, increasing Turbo Delay can smooth power delivery.

Traction Is Limited
Low-grip tracks often benefit from a slightly longer Turbo Delay because power is introduced more gradually.

Motor Temperatures Are Too High
Delaying Turbo Timing reduces the amount of time the motor spends operating with additional timing.

The Track Is Technical
Tracks with short straights may not allow enough time to fully utilize immediate Turbo Timing activation.

Decrease Turbo Delay When:
More Straight-Line Speed Is Needed
A shorter Turbo Delay allows Turbo Timing to activate sooner.

The Track Has Long Straights
Long straights provide enough distance for Turbo Timing to generate a meaningful speed increase.

Temperatures Are Under Control
If motor and ESC temperatures remain safe, reducing Turbo Delay may improve lap times.

The Surface Provides High Grip
High-grip tracks can better handle aggressive power delivery.

---

Basic Turbo Delay vs Advanced Settings

Basic Turbo Delay Setup
For most racers, Turbo Delay should be used as a simple drivability adjustment.

Recommended starting points:
• Stock Racing (if allowed): 0.3–0.8 seconds
• Modified Racing: 0.2–0.5 seconds
• Beginner Racers (typically not recommended): 0.5–1.0 seconds

Advanced Turbo Delay Setup
Experienced racers often tune Turbo Delay alongside multiple ESC timing parameters.

Common adjustments include:
Turbo Delay + Turbo Timing
Large Turbo Timing values often require additional Turbo Delay to keep the car manageable.

Turbo Delay + Boost Timing
Boost Timing affects power throughout the throttle range, while Turbo Timing affects power at higher throttle positions. Balancing both settings can improve acceleration and top speed.

Turbo Delay + Turbo Ramp Rate
A fast Turbo Ramp Rate combined with a short Turbo Delay can create a very aggressive power increase.

Turbo Delay + Motor Timing
Aggressive motor timing and aggressive Turbo Delay settings can significantly increase temperatures.

Advanced racers often tune these settings together.

---

What To Check After Adjusting Turbo Delay

Whenever Turbo Delay is changed, evaluate the following areas:

Motor Temperature
Monitor motor temperatures immediately after a run. Excessive heat may indicate that Turbo Timing is activating too early or too aggressively.

ESC Temperature
The ESC should remain within safe operating limits. If temperatures rise significantly, consider increasing Turbo Delay.

Straight-Line Speed
Compare lap times and top speed after making adjustments.

Corner Exit Performance
Watch how the car behaves when accelerating onto straights.

Consistency
The fastest setup is not always the easiest to drive. Focus on consistent lap times rather than a single fast lap.

Battery Consumption
Earlier Turbo Timing activation typically increases current draw and battery usage.

---

What Else Should You Check After Changing Turbo Delay?

Turbo Delay rarely works in isolation. If performance changes significantly, review:
• Turbo Timing
• Boost Timing
• Turbo Ramp Rate
• Motor Timing
• Drive Frequency (PWM Throttle)
• Throttle Curve
• Startup Power
• Gear Ratio
• Battery Voltage
• Motor Temperature
• ESC Temperature

These settings often interact with Turbo Delay and may require further tuning.

---

FAQ

Q: What does Turbo Delay do?
A: Turbo Delay controls how long the ESC waits before applying Turbo Timing after the activation conditions are met.

Q: Does Turbo Delay affect top speed?
A: Indirectly. A shorter Turbo Delay allows Turbo Timing to activate sooner, which can improve acceleration and increase speed on long straights.

Q: Is lower Turbo Delay always better?
A: No. While it can improve performance, it may also increase temperatures and make the car more difficult to drive.

Q: Does Turbo Delay affect motor temperature?
A: Yes. Shorter Turbo Delay settings usually increase motor and ESC temperatures because Turbo Timing is active for a longer period.

Q: Should beginners use Turbo Delay?
A: Not necessarily. Most beginners should stay away from Turbo applications until they get a handle on their car’s performance. If you do want to run a turbo mode, a moderate Turbo Delay can make the car easier to drive and help maintain consistent lap times.

Q: What is a good starting Turbo Delay setting?
A: A starting point of approximately 0.5 seconds works well for most vehicles. Fine-tune from there based on track conditions and temperatures.

Q: Is Turbo Delay (or Turbo Timing) legal in all racing classes?
A: No. Some racing organizations restrict or prohibit Turbo Timing and related settings. Always check your class rules before making adjustments.

Back to the RC ESC Settings Guide.