A turbocharger is provided including a housing with a turbine and a compressor disposed in the housing. A central shaft is connected between the turbine and the compressor and is rotatably supported by a first journal bearing disposed within the housing at a location adjacent to the turbine and a second journal bearing disposed within the housing at a location adjacent to the compressor. A spacer is disposed directly between and adjacent to the first journal bearing and the second journal bearing and is neither coupled to or integrally formed with the first journal bearing.