Single Turbo V8 Sandrails - a rarity? a good idea? fast is fast right?

Sutton

Sutton

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Camping at Gordon’s over New Years and this car caught my attention on a few nights at the drags. He was hurting a lot of feelings, so I had to get a closer look.

Single turbo V8 cars seem to be almost non existent. Of course, there are a handful rolling around, but you practically never see them. What are your thoughts and opinions? Would you single turbo your car?

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the main reason you see so many twins is because its packages better.

that being said the vast majority of V8's use twins and there are plenty out there that are stupid fast.

but that doesnt mean there is anything wrong with a single. If anything, it shows whoever setup this single system has it dialed in and tuned to perfection.

would i do a single on a V8? no, but there is always people that want to do something different just because they can, or dont want to be like everyone else....and i get and appreciate that.
 
Sutton said:
Camping at Gordon’s over New Years and this car caught my attention on a few nights at the drags. He was hurting a lot of feelings, so I had to get a closer look.

Single turbo V8 cars seem to be almost non existent. Of course, there are a handful rolling around, but you practically never see them. What are your thoughts and opinions? Would you single turbo your car?

View attachment 170147
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That was a clean car. Had a good look at it as well. I couldn’t tell what frame that was. Anyone have an idea? Homebuilt? Had some SU similarities in some areas
 
I talked to the owner. He said it was a “homebuilt” chassis. Who knows if it was in fact a one of one home built, or if the title just states as such.

I agree it is a beautiful car. Id say it was my favorite car of the trip. It’s got me wanting a single turbo on my car.
 
Sutton said:
I talked to the owner. He said it was a “homebuilt” chassis. Who knows if it was in fact a one of one home built, or if the title just states as such.

I agree it is a beautiful car. Id say it was my favorite car of the trip. It’s got me wanting a single turbo on my car.
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If you saw the white desert dynamics car with mad max on the side that’s a big single turbo car too. It’s my buddies rail.
 
I did see that mad max car each night. My favorite was when he pulled up with a Santa hat and Christmas tree on top. That’s a sweet car also. Do you have pictures of his turbo setup?
 
Turbo wise: single is better.

Benefits:

Less mass/lb of air to spin up, less components needed, easier to control, less complicated intake system, cheaper on parts.

Drawbacks:

Exhaust system more complicated, turbo mounting required (can't just hang from the manifold).

Packaging can be overcome with smart turbo placement. 2 turbos, 2 wastegates, 2 intake pipes, 2 exhaust discharges, 2 air filters, 2 sets of oil/water feed/returns, takes up a lot of space, and people run big single turbo setups that fit under the hood of Camaros. Easiest thing would be to place the single turbo on one side, with the opposite side's manifold going to a crossover tube under the oil pan to merge right before the turbo. Putting the turbo behind the engine makes for a cleaner look exhaust plumbing wise, but makes the engine package longer and belts a PITA to deal with (which is a common LS issue anyway).

Greg Rakes said:
That was a clean car. Had a good look at it as well. I couldn’t tell what frame that was. Anyone have an idea? Homebuilt? Had some SU similarities in some areas
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Desert Dynamics descendent of some kind to me.
 
I have done 10 single turbos kits on LS motors, 3 of them have been on a DD car, Works good, Typically all the parts come close to $5000 depending on sales during the year,
 
Not sure who's car it is but they got the best whip IMO

My buddy has a big single on a light 2 seat Mid eng Tatum he says he is always waiting on the turbo out of the corners in the dunes
 
Whipsandshyt said:
Not sure who's car it is but they got the best whip IMO

My buddy has a big single on a light 2 seat Mid eng Tatum he says he is always waiting on the turbo out of the corners in the dunes
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Could be a sizing issue. Might be a simple swap of the exhaust housing and he'll right as rain.
 
I have seen a couple setups where the turbo feeds directly into the intake manifold without an intercooler.

I know there is the option of using a water cooled intercooler in the intake manifold (Tick or Shearer)
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But i have seen some without it. How are they managing to keep intake temps cool with a setup like that?
 
FENDERFAB said:
I have seen a couple setups where the turbo feeds directly into the intake manifold without an intercooler.

I know there is the option of using a water cooled intercooler in the intake manifold (Tick or Shearer)
View attachment 170293

But i have seen some without it. How are they managing to keep intake temps cool with a setup like that?
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How about using an extra injector or methanol injection.
 
An extra injector or water/meth injection seems to be a popular choice with a single turbo if there is no intercooler involved. I like the packaging on the black and green car that @Grease Monkey sent. It is nicely executed.
 
If I recall correctly that motor is a stock 5.3 junk yard motor as well. Chatted with him for awhile 2 trips ago
 
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