Turbo Fans, Don’t Come for Us, But NA Cars Just Hit Different

RGS Eric
Jul 29
2 min read

Image of an Engine - Radiator Grille Store

This may ruffle some feathers. It may trigger the turbo crowd. But here it is: Naturally aspirated engines have more character, more response, and frankly, more soul than anything with a turbo bolted on.

Sure, turbos give you that gut punch of torque, "Turks" if you're in the know, right off the line or out of a tight apex. And yes, they’re great for street driving and highway pulls. But after that initial hit? It all starts to feel…manufactured.

The magic of a naturally aspirated (NA) car doesn’t come in a rush. It comes in a build. From idle to redline, the sound, the response, the feel—it’s raw, linear, and totally unfiltered. You press the pedal, and the car responds. No delay, no spool, no tricks. Just real-time combustion and instant feedback.

Turbo = Power, but at a Price

Let’s talk about what happens to your exhaust note when you slap on a turbo. The turbo hot side becomes your first muffler. All those beautiful, angry exhaust pulses get swallowed before they even reach your tailpipe. Your car becomes quieter, yes, but in all the wrong ways. The visceral bark, the metallic rasp, the scream to redline, all of it muted.

Turbo power feels great...until it doesn’t. Some turbos hit hard but die off at the top. Others wake up too late. Modern turbo systems have gotten better, for instance, look at a 991.2 or 992, but you’re paying a premium just to mimic what an NA car gives you naturally.

And we haven’t even mentioned throttle response. NA engines win this one every time. You can’t beat the sharpness, the immediacy. There’s no buffer between your right foot and the crankshaft. It's mechanical truth, not boost math.

Why It Matters to Us

At Radiator Grille Store, we get it. We’re purists, too. We appreciate the harmony between sound, feel, and function. That’s why our grille screens and products are made for drivers who notice the little things: the tone change at 4,500 RPM, the way your car breathes at full throttle, the confidence of a perfect downshift.

Our products don’t just protect your radiator. They preserve airflow, enhance looks, and respect the performance DNA of your Porsche, Corvette, or sports car of choice. Because if you're the kind of driver who prefers a naturally aspirated engine, you're probably also the kind of driver who cares about the fine details.

In the End, It's About Connection

Turbo cars will always have their place. They’re fast, efficient, and pack serious power. But if you're chasing that feeling, that true, spine-tingling crescendo as you approach redline, naturally aspirated is still king.

So call us old-school, call us biased, but we’ll take the linear pull, the sound, the drama, and the throttle response of a screaming NA engine any day of the week.