A turbocharger includes a shaft extending along an axis, a compressor wheel coupled to a first end of the shaft, a turbine wheel coupled to a second end of the shaft and having a first diameter; and a bearing housing extending about the shaft. The bearing housing is disposed between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel. The bearing housing having a thermal dam having a volume extending circumferentially about the shaft and disposed proximate to the second end of the shaft between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel. The thermal dam has a second diameter extending radially from the shaft. Moreover, the second diameter of the thermal dam is between 1.1 and 1.2 times greater than the first diameter of the turbine wheel.