Bearings are of similar design to those of automotive units, except that clearances, relative to turbocharger size, are smaller. Sometimes cooling air is bled from the compressor to the rear of the turbine hub and bearing area. This also helps prevent exhaust gas leaking down the back of the turbine wheel and reaching the bearings. These techniques help keep the hot end bearing cool, preventing serious oil oxidation deposits. Like the smaller units previously described, the lubricating oil system of the engine is also used for the turbocharger. Since bearing clearances are smaller, rotor movements are small and conventional labyrinth oil seals can be used at the compressor and turbine ends of the rotor shaft.

Turbochargers of this type are made in relatively small numbers, by batch production, hence their cost is high relative to automotive units.