Turbocharged cars are always heralded for the explosive power they can easily muster. As far as turbochargers are concerned, you can optimize a turbo setup for any type of car build. The question is, are twin turbos the way to go, or will Single Turbo suit you best? What should you go with? Read on to know more:
How Does a Turbo Work?
- Turbochargers use your car’s exhaust to spin a turbine and compress incoming air.
- Single turbo setups are slower to spool but take up less space than a dual-turbo setup.
- Dragster cars tend to prefer single turbos for significant power gains.
- Twin-turbo sets are easier to spool since they are smaller than a single turbo.
- Twin-turbo kits also have excellent underhood appeal if your car is more of a show car rather than a daily driver.
There’s more to forced induction than deciding whether you want turbochargers or a supercharger. Turbochargers are a form of forced induction. Instead of being powered by a belt like a supercharger, they are powered by the flow of exhaust gases. When the exhaust flows past the turbine, it spins the compressor in the housing. This compressor builds a boost, and the compressed air is routed into your vehicle’s intake system.
Turbos are a very efficient way to make horsepower since they do not have any parasitic drag as a supercharger would. However, since they’re reliant on exhaust gas flow, boost isn’t made instantly. They come in various setups, but the most common are single turbo kits or a parallel twin-turbo kit.
Single Turbo
Single turbo kits are the more popular setup for some simple reasons. The first reason is cost, and the second one is space. Sometimes it’s difficult to find enough real estate under the hood to add a single turbo along with the plumbing associated with it. It becomes much more difficult when you have to find space for a second turbo as well.
Single Turbo kits are great for making big horsepower, too, as they have a broader power band than a twin-turbo setup and do not run out of steam on the top end. The single turbo does build boost slower, making it easier for drag cars with high horsepower to hook up from a dig. Once they have traction and boost, building the power of the single will rocket them down the quarter-mile.
Twin Turbo
Despite some drawbacks, twin turbos are still excellent kits. Twin turbos are fantastic for the daily driven or mostly street-driven car. Each turbo needs the exhaust from only 4 cylinders to spool, so it spools much faster than a single kit. Smaller turbos in a twin-turbo kit can also produce similar power as a larger single turbo.
It gives your vehicle less lag for a similar power gain. And when twin-turbo kits aren’t busy rocketing you around town, they also look imposing under the hood. Whether you’re blasting down the drag strip, in a hurry to get your kids to soccer practice, or making rounds at some local shows, twin turbos make for a great all-around turbo experience.
Single Turbo vs. Twin Turbo: Differences and Advantages
A turbocharger is a fuel-driven turbine aimed at air compression to increase the power and torque of your engine. If you want a more powerful turbine, consider placing air compression and density increase together. It enables the engine to have more oxygen per burn, and the energy released is directed to the pistons, which move the compressed air. It further leads to a greater amount of air and fuel within the engine. Thus, now you can enjoy a much speedier car and get more pleasure from driving!
Cars with turbo engines are always in great demand and are now being favored by more people. Many cars have twin-turbo engines. It has several advantages for those who like to feel the power of the vehicle. A twin-turbo engine means two turbochargers aimed at optimal work with air compression.
A twin-turbo setup also provides for the reduction of the lag. It helps produce power faster using 4 cylinders, while a single turbo requires all 8 cylinders for an optimal boost. This type of engine is excellent for regular driving in a city or a normal regime.
Twin-turbo takes care of smooth engine functioning. In terms of expenses, two smaller turbochargers are more efficient than one bigger one. However, some engines require twin-turbo kits for better and more efficient operation. This is related to V-type engines. They work much better together with twin turbochargers. Of course, there are a couple of disadvantages of twin-turbo over a single one – it takes up more space, and its installation is a tad bit expensive.
The advantages of a single turbo are also worth being taken into consideration. If you need a perfect car for drag driving, consider a single turbo as it’s the best option when you need a high amount of power. Having power on one side, you might deal with the lag problem on the other side.
It is much easier to set up a single turbo than a double one, as it’s smaller, compact, and takes much less space than a twin-turbo. This type cools better. The single turbo itself, as well as its installation, is more cost-efficient. As opposed to twin-turbo, it produces a maximum boost at higher RPM. With a single turbo, you can increase the power to 1500 HP and more by acquiring larger setups.
This is a brief comparison of single and twin-turbo. The main points show that if you want to reduce lagging, you need to install a twin-turbo. If you have a car with a V-type engine, you should opt for a twin variant as well. And for inline layout, a single turbo setup is the best option.
A long time ago, the automobile became not only a vehicle but also a luxury and entertainment object. Many people are eager to have a high-powered sports car, but not all can afford it. There’s a way out – Turbo kits. Those who are looking at how to make their car a unique masterpiece, you can ask our experts for help.
Choosing the right Turbo
Choosing the right turbo for your car starts with a horsepower target. Each turbo is designed to support a specific range of horsepower & engine displacement. If a turbo is too large for your engine, you’ll have a lot of turbo lag, and if a turbo is too small for your engine, you may never reach your horsepower target.
How Do I Choose?
To decide which setup is best for you, you need to examine your goals for your automobile. Do you want to go with a more inexpensive kit or your main focus is on drag racing? Is there a small amount of free space under your hood? If that’s the case, a single turbo would be your best choice.
On the other hand, if the cost is not that big of a concern for you, and if you are looking for great low to mid-range power, a quicker spool, and an eye-popping set up under the hood, twin turbos will work best for you. No matter which style you choose, we at Diesel Components, Inc. can equip your car with a powerful and efficient setup.
At Diesel Components, Inc., we can help you with whatever Turbo Kits and parts you need. BorgWarner Turbochargers and Mitsubishi Turbochargers are readily available with us. Now that you know the differences and advantages of both the Single Turbo and Twin Turbo get one from Diesel Components, Inc. now and provide more muscle and throttle to your car.
