Posted on by Kyle Petsch

2026 Turbocharger Safety Updates

The following items have been updated in the 2026 OTTPA Rulebook related to turbocharger safety.

Compressor Housing Blankets:

All turbochargers are required to have a NTPA accepted blanket that completely encloses the compressor housing and securely fastened as intended by the manufacturer.

    • Blanket must contain a minimum 5 (five) layers of Kevlar
    • Blanket displaying a SFI 4.1 certification is accepted but not required.
    • Turbocharger compressor housing blankets are accepted from the following manufacturers.
      • Taylor Motorsports Products
      • Stroud Safety
      • Ram Jet

Turbocharger Pressure Pipe Blanket:

Added for 540 Light Pro and Limited Pro Stock Classes:

A turbocharger pressure pipe blanket is required

    • Turbo outlet pressure pipe between the turbocharger and the intake manifold must be wrapped 360 degrees with an OTTPA accepted blanket.
    • Blanket must be placed as close to compressor housing outlet neck as possible and extend at least 6 (six) inches beyond the first bend in pipe or a minimum blanket length of 18 inches, whichever is longest.
    • Any pressure pipe shorter than 18-inches must have blanket covering the entire length of pipe.
    • Blanket must be purchased from an OTTPA approved manufacturer containing a minimum of 5 (five) layers of Kevlar. A blanket displaying a SFI 4.1 certification is accepted but not required.

Turbo Wheel Containment (Exhaust):

Turbo Exhaust Wheel Containment –

    • Any turbocharger used in OTTPA competition where exhaust exits to atmosphere must have an approved exhaust wheel containment device installed.
    • Containment device and any attaching components or hardware must be supplied by an OTTPA approved manufacturer.
    • Containment device cannot be placed in any part of exhaust pipe. If containment device is attached to turbo exhaust housing flange by use of a clamp, then the exhaust pipe must be welded to the containment device.
    • Any clamp used to attach a safety device to the turbocharger that is not supplied by the turbocharger manufacturer must be a Double V type clamp as shown in diagram. Clamp has a stainless steel band covering the entire circumference. Clamp must be manufactured by a USA supplier.
    • Containment device must be installed as designed by manufacturer. No modifications or alterations of any kind allowed.
    • Manufacturer may identify each component or assembly by engraving part numbers or some type of identification into each part.
    • OTTPA Approved Containment Devices
      • Option 1 – Cross Bolts in Turbo Exhaust Housing – installed by turbo manufacturer
        • Qty. 2 (two) .500-inch diameter, grade 5 or greater bolts installed by drilling qty. 4 (four) holes into turbo exhaust housing and welded in place.
        • Bolts must be installed at 90 degrees from each other and no more than .0625-inch (1/16-inch) between the two bolts.
        • Cross bolts must be located as close to the center of exhaust wheel as possible.

      • Option 2: Containment Adapter – supplied by turbo manufacturer

        • Containment device supplied by turbo manufacturer must be approved by NTPA Tech Services and installed as supplied by manufacturer.
        • Containment device must be located as close to exhaust wheel as possible.
        • Containment device and components supplied for attachment to turbo housing must contain the manufacturer’s name or logo identification.

      • Option 3: Containment Adapter – supplied by OTTPA approved manufacturer

        • Exhaust adapter must be fabricated using two interlocking pieces of .250-inch x 1.000-inch flat steel notched .250-inch x .500-inch at center creating a single interlocking assembly and fully welded into a cross pattern.
        • Round steel containment adapter must be a minimum .175-inch wall thickness and contain cross assembly fully welded inside the adapter, not in exhaust pipe.
        • Leading edge of cross assembly can be sharpened a maximum of .250-inch back from leading edge facing the exhaust wheel. Any tapered or sharpened edge is in addition to 1-inch minimum width.
        • Location of leading edge of cross assembly not to exceed .125-inch behind face of adapter flange on turbo side.
        • Adapter mounting flange must be a minimum .140-inch wide at base of flange and a minimum .125-inch wide at narrowest point of taper.
        • Adapter must be attached to turbo exhaust housing flange using clamp supplied by adapter manufacturer. Since this containment device is attached to turbo exhaust housing flange by use of a clamp, the exhaust pipe must be welded to the containment device. Adapter and attaching clamp must be clearly identified with manufacturer name or logo.
    • Exhaust Wheel Cage
      NOTE: Exhaust Wheel Cage is a containment device bolted to exhaust housing by turbo manufacturer

      • Billet steel cage made from 304 stainless bolted and fastened to exhaust housing as supplied by the turbo manufacturer.
      • Exhaust wheel cage must be fastened using bolts, a minimum qty. 8 (eight) – 5/16-inch diameter, grade 8 or greater bolts required or wheel cage fastened as designed by turbo manufacturer.
      • Turbo exhaust wheel cage must be manufactured by sane turbo manufacturer on which it is installed.
      • Exhaust wheel cage must be installed as supplied. No modifications allowed.
      • OTTPA  Technical Services to determine any additional dimension or specifications required.

Turbo Wheel Containment (Intake):

Turbocharger Intake Cross

    • Any single turbocharger application listed below requires a one-piece, 3/8-inch solid billet cross, located within 8 inches from front edge of compressor wheel inducer blade and behind the air shutoff gate.
      • a) Classes: Super-Farm, 3.0 Diesel Truck, Limited Pro-Stock, 540 Light Pro-Stock
    • Intake cross must be mounted solidly to the turbo compressor housing using a Double V type clamp.
    • Intake cross must be installed as manufactured and supplied by the manufacturer.
    • Maximum intake cross diameters are listed by division as follows:
      • Super Farm: Max Cross Diameter – 7in.
      • 3.0 Diesel Truck: Max Cross Diameter – 7in.
      • Limited Pro-Stock: Max Cross Diameter – 8in.
      • 540 Light Pro-Stock: Max Cross Diameter – 9in.