Are Twin Turbos on a 4 Cylinder Engine Worth it for High Performance?

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SUMMARY

Twin turbos on a four-cylinder engine are generally considered excessive due to the engine's limited capacity for boost. The discussion highlights that single turbo systems, such as the GT40 turbo, provide sufficient airflow and quicker spool times while requiring fewer modifications. Modern advancements in turbine technology, including multi-vane and variable-nozzle designs, have made single turbos more efficient and preferable for achieving a usable power band. Consequently, twin turbo setups are becoming less common in high-performance applications for small engines.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of forced induction systems
  • Familiarity with turbocharger types, specifically single vs. twin turbos
  • Knowledge of engine modification techniques
  • Basic principles of mechanical engineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Offenhauser 4-cylinder engine and its historical performance enhancements
  • Explore the benefits of single turbo systems, focusing on GT40 turbo specifications
  • Investigate modern turbine technologies, including multi-vane and variable-nozzle designs
  • Examine case studies of Subaru and Mitsubishi rally cars with forced induction modifications
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, performance tuners, and enthusiasts interested in optimizing four-cylinder engine performance through forced induction systems.

KidWonder
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Hey Guys, I'm fairly new to this forum.

I would just like to know is their a way to allow for a four cylinder engine to produce for more engine gas to spin 2 turbos. As I researched on forced induction, I've found that Twin turbos on a four cylinder might be one turbo too many, though I imagine the spin-up (lag free) benefits of two teensy, weensy turbos might be there as on a bigger motor. I'm in High School, and planning on studying Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State, then start a car company(not likely).

Thanks Guys
God Bless
 
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welcome fellow Buckeye
I do not know but would recommend you research the Offenhauser 4 cylinder engine that was refined to the ultimate 4 cylinder thru Indy years as a start.
rm
 
From Subaru
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2909/81/32270040002_large.jpg
 
Look up what people do to their road/rally cars from Subaru and Mitsubishi. There are countless sites and threads from people who have twin blown their 4 bangers. However, why would you want to? On a small 4 banger, you certainly won't need that much boost and you'll have to figure out other stuff before you can drive it. Simply slapping on a couple turbos doesn't make a fast car. A good GT40 turbo will provide plenty of air to a 4 cylinder. Single turbos also spool quicker and require a lot less engine modification inside the small engine bay of a 4 cyl. car.
 
Twin turbo systems would be classed as an odd choice for a performance small 4 cylinder engine used for automotive use. Twin turbos are (in general) phasing out due to modern turbine development of multi-vane or variable-nozzle turbines which allow for a single turbine to operate over a far wider range of exhaust gas flow rate than was possible twenty years ago, therefore applications which would have been twin turbo to achieve a usable power-band all round have been phased out to multi-vane or variable nozzle single turbocharger applications which offer inherently less frictional losses and complexity. That being said, twin turbochargers are still used on some flat-plane V8's and Boxer configurations as each bank of cylinders opperates a separate exhaust system.
 
Frosteh said:
Simply slapping on a couple turbos doesn't make a fast car. A good GT40 turbo will provide plenty of air to a 4 cylinder. Single turbos also spool quicker and require a lot less engine modification inside the small engine bay of a 4 cyl. car.

I don't know if this irony or not.
 

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