Are you looking to maximize your vehicle’s performance and get the most out of its engine? Then a twin turbo engine setup could be just what you need. Twin turbos provide incredible power and torque, making them perfect for race car applications. This post will give you everything you need to know about twin turbo engines so that you can understand their benefits and decide whether they’re suitable for your application.
So without further ado, let’s explore everything related to twin turbo engines.
What Is A Twin Turbo Engine?
Twin turbo engines are becoming increasingly popular in motorsport as they provide drivers with an impressive power boost. With two turbochargers instead of one, drivers can take full advantage of the increased air intake and optimal engine performance. Depending on preference, both turbochargers can be identical or different – sometimes used for extra torque if needed. A twin-turbo setup is worth considering if you want to get the most out of your car engine.
How Do Twin Turbos Work?
In a twin turbocharger, two turbochargers in a series work together to compress more air into the engine than what would generally be possible with a single unit.
The air enters the first compressor stage of twin turbos and is then sent through the second stage, which is further compressed before reaching the combustion chamber. This increases the pressure in the chamber, allowing more fuel to be added, resulting in increased power output.
Twin turbochargers can give vehicles more power than ever before while allowing for good fuel economy – an ideal combination for any car enthusiast.
What Are The Different Components Of A Twin Turbo System?
A turbocharger is a complex piece of machinery with three fundamental components that help you get the most out of your vehicles. These three components are:
- The turbine wheel – It is responsible for transforming heat and pressure into rotational force, while the compressor directs fresh air towards the throttle body.
- The compressor wheel – It accelerates at the same RPMs as the turbine wheel to create a boost in pressure within the intake tract.
- The bearing system – It binds together both turbine wheel and compressor wheel via its supporting turbine shaft – an integral component of any turbocharger setup.
What Are The Major Types Of Twin-Turbo Layouts?
There are three types of turbine setups used for twin-turbo layouts:
- Parallel
- Sequential
- Series
Parallel twin turbo fits two equally-sized turbochargers and divides the exhaust gasses. Each turbocharger’s intake can be combined into one single intake manifold or kept separate for even more significant performance potential. Whichever setup you choose, the benefits of a parallel configuration for your twin-turbo setup are clear – more power and improved combustion efficiency with minimum complexity.
Sequential turbocharging is designed to defeat the limitation of large turbochargers, which may not provide a sufficient boost at low RPMs. At the same time, smaller turbos may need the capability to supply more compressed intake gasses at higher RPMs. Sequential twin turbos are often utilized to gain maximum efficiency. This approach works by using one turbocharger for lower engine speeds, then a second – or both – turbocharger at higher engine speeds. Effectively harnessing both options in a single setup ensures drivers get minimal lag without sacrificing power output when revving above those limit-pushing RPMs.
In a serial turbocharger system, two turbochargers are connected in series, which involves the output of the first compressor being further compressed by the second one. This can be especially helpful when powering larger turbines, granting greater efficiency.
In short, each setup offers advantages and will suit different applications. So if you’re looking for increased power and smoother acceleration, find the best setup for your engine.
Things To Keep In Mind When Turbocharging
Here are several precautions that you should keep in mind while turbocharging:
- Consider whether the engine can take the pressures or if you need to reinforce specific components.
- Check if your vehicle’s clutch, transmission, differential, and driveshafts can handle the added power generated.
- Don’t crank up the boost immediately- gradually building it up is much safer.
- Remember that as the boost increases pressure, you will need more fuel and modified ignition timing for correct operation.
- Finally, find an experienced mechanic or engineer who knows about forced induction to assess whether all your parts are up to par with each other before putting them all together.
Advantages Of A Twin Turbo Engine
As twin turbo engines use two turbochargers instead of one, the air entering the engine is compressed more efficiently, allowing for increased airflow and improved power output. This helps improve fuel efficiency by reducing the petrol needed for a distance. Additionally, compared to other forced induction systems, such as supercharging, they require less maintenance as there are fewer associated components. Therefore, twin turbo engines offer significant improvements in performance and economy. Indeed, it is a powerful yet efficient engine option.
Disadvantages Of A Twin Turbo Engine
Twin turbo engines have significant drawbacks that could cause major headaches for car owners. Turbocharged engines are much hotter than regular engines, and their complicated design makes them difficult to service at home. As the two turbochargers work in tandem to increase horsepower, they also strain the engine components, meaning they can wear out sooner than regular engines and require more frequent servicing. Furthermore, twin-turbo systems require specialized parts that are only sometimes easy or quick to replace. Therefore, tracking down components to make repairs can be expensive and time-consuming.
What Are The Common Issues With Twin Turbo Engines And How Can They Be Avoided?
Here are some issues that often drivers face with their vehicles’ twin turbo engines:
1. Lack of lubrication in Engine
One of the most common issues owners of twin turbo engines faces is a need for more or oil delay in their engines. This leads to power loss and inefficiency.
Fortunately, you can always ensure your engine is appropriately supplied with oil, such as synthetic oils with high viscosity, that will only break down slowly under pressure. Additionally, regularly changing your oil filter and monitoring the condition of your engine’s oil system will help keep your engine running smoothly.
2. Clogged Lubricating System
A clogged oil filter is the primary cause of dirt or debris getting into the system. Other sources can be a faulty seal on the filter, worn-away gaskets, or aftermarket modifications to the vehicle that can cause dirt to come in contact with system components.
To avoid this, regularly change your oil filter as per manufacturer guidelines and use fresh oil every time you fill up. Also, inspect all seals and gaskets on your vehicle, ensure they are tight, and replace any that start to show wear and tear.
3. Oil Break-Down
This is another familiar problem with twin turbo engines. This may lead to damage in the engine.
To prevent oil break-down, ensure that your engine always has the correct viscosity and quantity of oil. Regularly checking and changing the oil after certain miles can also help avoid any performance issues from oil break-down.
4. Blocked Exhaust or Air-Filtration System
Foreign material entering exhaust or air-filtration systems in a twin turbo engine can be a serious problem.
Install an appropriate pre-filter element in the intake system to prevent large amounts of dirt, debris and bugs entering the turbocharger inlet. Ensure filters are cleaned or replaced regularly before they become ineffective due to clogging. Ensure that silicone lines used in vacuum systems are routed away from heat sources and inspect or replace any cracked or damaged lines.
5. Lack of Understanding
Turbocharging can boost a given engine’s performance by up to 30%, but only when the exhaust gasses flow smoothly. If any impairment is present due to an underlying engine malfunction or abnormal working condition, the turbocharger will only exacerbate the problem. Thus, simply replacing the faulty unit won’t correct the issue – Understanding and maintaining the system are essential.
When it comes to replacing turbochargers, the best practice is to ensure that the cause of the original unit’s failure has been correctly identified and resolved. If this step is skipped, the new turbo will likely experience damage and fail for the same reasons as its predecessor. This can be a major expense and hassle.
Therefore always consult the original equipment engine manual to clarify doubts and take necessary actions.
How Does A Twin Turbo Engine Impact Fuel Efficiency And Emissions?
Twin turbo engines work by using exhaust gasses to spin a turbine which then pumps air into the engine’s cylinders, allowing more power and better performance with less fuel burn-off. It’s a simple but highly effective way to reduce overall fuel costs.
How Has The Use Of Twin Turbo Engines Evolved In The Automotive Industry?
The modern automotive industry has seen a remarkable transformation in using twin turbo engines. Once a technology reserved for only the top of the line luxury vehicles, they are now widely available in most makes and models to greatly enhance performance while keeping fuel efficiency high. As advances in engineering have become available, automakers have continued tweaking their turbo engine designs to produce even higher levels of power and torque while maintaining light weight and ease of installation. In coming years twin turbo engines are expected to continue revolutionizing the automotive industry with new advances in power enhancement.
Final thoughts
With twin turbo engines providing many benefits, they are often the engine choice for many people. From significantly increasing power output to achieving improved acceleration, compared to a standard single turbocharged engine, there is no doubt that twin turbo engines can have some impressive performance results. Investing in a twin turbo engine for your vehicle will certainly pay off in the short and long term. So, shop for twin turbo engines today and enjoy improved performance of your vehicle.
FAQs
Q. How is a twin-turbo different from a turbocharged engine?
Twin-turbo engines use two turbochargers to compress air and increase power. This helps reduce the lag time between demand for power and engine response compared to single turbocharged engines since two smaller turbos can spool up faster than one larger one. Using two turbos allows for more precise control over compression levels, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing engine emissions.
Q. Which is better: Single Turbo or Twin Turbo?
Ultimately it depends on your individual needs – but both have advantages. Single turbochargers are great for vehicles with tight engine bays or those that don’t need a lot of power. They provide improved horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and durability. Twin turbos on the other hand offer higher boost pressures and increased top-end power, though they can require additional maintenance.
Q. How does a sequential twin turbo system differ from a parallel twin turbo system?
A sequential twin turbo system uses one large turbocharger and a smaller, secondary turbocharger. The large turbo is designed to kick in at lower engine speeds for better low RPM power, while the smaller turbo kicks in at higher engine speeds to provide additional power. The two turbos work together sequentially and are not equally active or running simultaneously like a parallel twin turbo setup.
