Looks like a turbo...some REALLY funky setup on an HPI on-road car. Check out all the plumbing. The exhaust actually directs back into the little "can" on the air intake. VERY bizarre.
Yup, looks loke a turbo and the little box looks like a aftercooler.
Problem is, turbo's are powerd by exhaust, not the intake, if he is using the intake to spool the turbo he is loosing power.
Looking at it again, I can't tell what's going on! It is very concievable to utilize a turbo, but you wuld have to have a completly redisigned carb that richens fuel mixture when the turbo spools. If not BOOM! Detonation.8-0