Why would you guys want to avoid using the turbo? Doesn't it help fuel economy??
Generally yes.
It helps make power that most drivers want much sooner than an NA motor so you don't have to go as high in RPM to get the power you want/need.
When an NA motor is WOT it hits up to 0psi (maybe 1 psi if you have velocity stacks).
With a turbo that spools quickly you don't have to get anywhere near WOT to achieve the same pressure in the cylinders.
Eco shifters can see good results by watching a boost gauge and staying very low in boost or near 0 .
Most production turbos don't even build serious boost unless the accelerator is pressed far enough to signal they want performance from their car.
(The wastegate doesnt fully close allowing a smaller amount of exhaust gas to drive the turbine.)
That's why people hyper-miling warn you about "staying out of the turbo".
Once the accellerator goes down and that wastegate closes positive pressure builds quickly. (boost)
The reason why boost is such a fuel killer is because with more air in the cylinders you need more fuel or you will lean out and have serious detonation.
(That's how people who try DIY tuning kill engines when they don't know what they're doing - dead pistons, bearings, rods, heads, you name it)
So having a turbo increases fuel economy - it takes less to produce more but is really more efficient at lower RPMs with little to no boost.
(It's why the Sonic's is so small, it spools faster and has less capacity at the top end)
