Single Turbos?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
A single turbo on a V8 has to be located further from the engine, where the exhausts from the two banks can be joined, which loses heat energy and efficiency compared to locating the turbo as close to the engine as possible. The single turbo has to be at least twice as large as dual turbos, which means turbo lag because it takes exponentially longer to spool up a single big turbo than to spool up two smaller turbos. These are the main reasons you don't see single turbos offered for V8 cars.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Copperas Cove Texas
Diesel engines have a MUCH higher compresion ratio providing enough push from the exhaust to turn a large turbo with no problems but Ford has alread started running dual turbos. One small one to push the larger one providing improved turbo response.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
A single turbo would have to be at least twice as large to generate the same power as 2 smaller units. It would have to be located where the exhaust from both sides of the engine merges, so it would be located mid-car or further back. Lots of lag, plus a LOT of plumbing work.Have you thought about a supercharger like the Vortech? No where near as much plumbing, similar power as a twin-turbo, lower heat, less complicated, much cheaper, and quite reliable. Check out A&A Corvette's site or ProCharger.
