| What exactly are twin turbo kits? Not being into | | | | With the air compressed as it enters the engine, it |
| cars, but having recently been to a vintage car | | | | creates more power. |
| show, this and how they work are the questions I | | | | Now let's back up. Obviously, twin means two, but |
| was asking myself. At one time, if I asked, what | | | | two what? Two turbochargers, which can come |
| exactly are twin turbo kits? The fact that I didn't | | | | in one of two different configurations: parallel or |
| know could be attributed to the fact that I am a | | | | sequential. |
| girl. But saying something like that today would | | | | Basically, parallel are two identical turbos that are |
| not go over well in an equal rights, girl's can do | | | | smaller than a single turbo, and that both turn on |
| anything, type of society. So I will blame my | | | | at the same time. With the two smaller turbos, |
| ignorance on lack of interest, the fact that I didn't | | | | the duty of compressing the intake charge is |
| get my license until I was 21, and that I have a | | | | completed faster, so they reach their boost |
| minor in Nature and Wilderness Conservation and | | | | threshold more quickly than a single large turbo, |
| consider excess noises and lights a form of | | | | but produce the same amount of boost. |
| pollution. So, when I hear the words twin turbo | | | | A sequential twin turbo system is a lot more |
| kits, I think loud, fast cars. But is this correct? | | | | complicated. Basically, one turbo is active |
| And if so, is there more to them? | | | | throughout the entire rev range, and the second |
| With just a little research, I discovered that my | | | | one only kicks in at the higher RPM. This system |
| basic concept of twin turbo kits are correct. They | | | | also has reduced turbo lag (the time it takes to |
| give your car a huge boost of power along with | | | | spool the turbine enough for it to operate |
| loudness. And let's face it, a lot of people like the | | | | effectively), but has the added benefit of adding |
| roar of a fast car! Here in our small town last | | | | extra boost at higher RPM's. Similar performance |
| weekend there was a 50's car show called Lost in | | | | with less lag is the primary benefit of twin turbo |
| the 50's. It is a huge event in our small town and | | | | kits over a bigger single turbo system. |
| begins with a vintage car parade on Friday night. | | | | Kit, well we all know what that means, it is the |
| Our whole family went in to see it, and the | | | | twin turbo system bundled up with everything |
| roaring of supped up engines was one of the | | | | you need to turbo charge your car. |
| biggest hits. | | | | So, if you like your cars loud and fast, then turbo |
| To break down more specifically what twin turbo | | | | charging your car may be just the thing for you. |
| kits are, let's look at each term individually. | | | | And if there is one thing I learned at the vintage |
| Let's first look at the second word, turbo, which is | | | | car parade, it is that any car can be turbo |
| short for turbocharger. A turbocharger forces | | | | charged! I expected to see twin turbo kits on |
| compressed air into an internal combustion engine. | | | | muscle cars of the 1960's, but I also saw car's |
| It is a type of supercharger in which the | | | | with them from as early as the 1920's. And |
| compressor is powered by a turbine which is | | | | though you may not get to use your turbo |
| driven by the engine's own exhaust gases (so | | | | charger every day, there are definite moments in |
| you can tell your neighbor that you are recycling!). | | | | time when they can be a lot of fun. |