"Forced Induction Hi-Po Madness for the Wicked as they get Chevy Corvettes"
C6 Z06 GM Corvette - Twin Intercooled pictures - Twin Turbo - airpowersystems.com
The last article was on Intercoolers for forced-induction Corvettes. The article before that was on turbocharger basics, and this one is a slightly more detailed turbo article on the parts in such a system. There will be future articles examining the individual kits. Remember that the intercooler is pretty much a given when doing these modifications to a newer Corvette. Not only does the intercooler work to prolong engine life (reduce overheating), but cooler (denser) air adds to the power output.
Turbo Demo illustration image - howstuffworks.com
Supercharging is very popular with today's Vettes (even the factory ZR1 uses it), but turbocharging is also a viable and tried and true method to increase power output. The fastest Corvette wins!
Turbo-chargers for the Corvette are usually twin-turbo's. Two units fit in nicely (one for each cylinder bank or side), and multiple units usually offer increased and smoother performance. Two units also spread out the heat so it can be better managed than with a single fire box.
Another benefit for some is the possibility to have a cabin mounted electronic control which can be used to adjust boost, or turbo output pressure, on the fly. Conversely, superchargers generally require the operator to get under the hood and install different size pulleys to change the intake pressure.
APS USA Turbo Unit pictures - airpowersystems.com
In the street performance use of turbochargers they are commonly seen in the 700 to 1300 horsepower range. Racing units can easily triple any of these numbers. Typical hot rod tuning techniques (not using forced induction) on the modern street Corvette (cams, heads, headers, etc) generally begin to affect drivability (for the average driver) at around the 650 horsepower level, or maybe even closer to the 600 hp mark, or less, for some people.
Your standard turbo is a casing or housing with two halves. Each half contains its own impeller or fan that pushes air. [Actually one side is propelled by the exhaust gas rushing through it, and the other side is a slave which supercharges (or pushes) air into the engine.] The impellers are directly connected to each other via a shaft. One side has the exhaust gas blowing through it, which spins that fan (turbine), which in turn spins the fan on the other side. This other side pushes (compresses or forces) the outside air into the engine (mixed with fuel), hence, the "forced induction" terminology.
APS Turbo's and exhaust system plumbing pictures - airpowersystems.com
The turbo unit itself is a very simple design concept by today's engineering standards. Besides the added power, the high pitched whine of the turbines reeling up is a sweet sound indeed.
Experimentation is going on with dry running turbo-chargers with ceramic bearings and super tight tolerances. Many high power units today rely on supplemental water cooling and oil for the turbo's (just like the engine).
Feel free to add any knowledge in the comments section, or email us. Generally, we try to talk about the benefits or positives on any given subject, and try not to "beat up" on the other guys. If it is crap it will not be featured as an article. Also, the articles are meant to cover the basics with further outside information referenced through hyperlinks, or via reader contributions. The library of past articles is updated, as practical, and will remain available to readers via the index.
Corvette Z06 APS twin-turbo parts kit pictures
Anyhow, the basics of the turbo system kits or systems are, first and foremost, the fast spinning turbines.
Modified Turbocharger Drawing illustration - United States Patent 6792755
One side (or half) of a single turbo unit (the intake side) includes the hook ups for the area from the intake filter (in front) to the turbo inlet itself, and then there are the fittings for the supercharged (or compacted air) side that goes out of the back end of the turbo and into the engine mixing the compressed air with fuel for detonation.
The other side (or half) of the turbo needs a custom exhaust manifold (or header) going into one side of the turbo, and then another custom pipe routing the exhaust gases blowing out the other side of the turbo (after winding the turbo unit up) out to the tail end of the exhaust system (through the cats, x-pipe and cat-backs) where it is expelled.
With a twin-turbo unit there will be one of these units, described above, on each side of the vehicle.
Honeywell has a simple explanation via this link.
APS Turbocharger Wastegates picture - airpowersystems.com
APS Turbocharger Blow Off Valves picture - airpowersystems.com
Other basic parts of a high output type aftermarket turbo system, besides the turbo unit(s), are going to be the intercooler (optional but nearly mandatory on a high dollar Vette), the blow off valves (releases turbo pressure when the throttle is released), wastegate (vents off the excessive exhaust pressure away from the turbo), and the exhaust and intake plumbing and fittings.
Z06 C6 Corvette APS fuel system mods pictures - airpowersystems.com
The fuel system injectors and fuel system delivery pressures may need to be modified, which may also include the fuel pump, fuel rails, and fuel lines. Throttle body work is available in the form of an aftermarket replacement unit, or the porting and polishing of the stock unit.
Electronically, a boost controller, boost gauge, and engine tuning will be needed or desired.
Lingenfelter Installed Gauge Cluster picture - lingenfelter.com
A bucket full of plumbing and fasteners will be part of any kit.
Heavy duty crankshaft, piston rods, and the appropriate forged pistons will be put in to the block on high power turbo engines.
Corvette C6 ZR1 LS9 Crankshaft picture
Cylinder heads might be modified with porting and/ or polishing, heavy duty or oversize valves, HD valve springs and retainers, and camshafts.
Many people also go with heavy duty oil coolers and other cooling system modifications besides the intercoolers mentioned previously.
Brembo 4 piston calipers for the Corvette picture - lingenfelter.com
Lastly, beefing up the drivetrain is part of a high output turbo install. The brakes on the Corvette are outstanding, but many might want to go heavy duty in that area also.
Most people installing these turbo systems on a new Corvette are not going to be doing it themselves. They will be too busy earning the money to pay for it and keep it highway bound, but it is good to know how things work on a custom SuperCar.
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Video of Chevrolet Corvette Twin Turbo:
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Twin Turbocharged Corvette video – American Metal Muscle Cars
[ref] howstuffworks.com, lingenfelter.com, airpowersystems.com
Visit the Corvette “American Metal Racing” modern muscle cars index for more information, images and videos.
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This series is dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 C6 C7 enthusiast. We include news and details on the base Chevy Vettes, the Z06, and new ZR1 SuperCar model. The LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, a racing engine, crate motor, or hot rod tuning subject is always game for discussion. Factory stock General Motors Corvettes, the engines and options, performance and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket parts to make a modified Vette the fastest or quickest are what we are all about. The main years of interest are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond for the GM future.
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