How to Effectively Reduce Turbo Lag in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with a Twin-Scroll Setup?

Turbo lag – a term that many Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Evo) owners are all too familiar with. It refers to the delay in power delivery that occurs when you hit the accelerator, before the turbocharger has had a chance to build up the necessary boost. This can be a real thorn in the side for Evo drivers, particularly in situations that require quick acceleration. But fret not, there are effective ways to combat this issue, and one of these is by utilizing a twin-scroll setup. In this article, we will delve into why turbo lag happens, and how the addition of a twin-scroll setup can mitigate this problem.

Understanding Turbo Lag

To better comprehend how you can reduce turbo lag in your Mitsubishi Evo, you first need to understand why it occurs. Turbo lag is a by-product of the physics of your car’s engine and the turbocharger. The turbocharger relies on the engine’s exhaust gases to spin its turbine, which then compresses the incoming air to boost the engine’s power.

However, there’s a catch. The turbocharger only starts working efficiently once there’s sufficient exhaust gas flow, typically at higher engine revolutions per minute (RPM). This means that when you suddenly hit the accelerator, especially from a standstill or at low RPM, the turbocharger doesn’t have enough exhaust gases to provide the required power immediately. This time lag is what we term ‘turbo lag’.

With a better grasp of turbo lag, we can now dive into its possible solutions.

The Role of a Stock Exhaust Manifold

Your car’s exhaust manifold plays a pivotal role in turbo lag. In a standard Mitsubishi Evo, the exhaust manifold combines all the exhaust gases from the engine into a single pipe before feeding it into the turbocharger. This setup, known as a single scroll or single turbine housing, has several drawbacks.

For one, it means that all the exhaust gases are being forced into the turbocharger at the same time, regardless of the engine’s RPM. This results in an initial burst of power when the throttle is floored, followed by a drop in power as the exhaust gases diminish – hence, the lag.

Another issue is that the exhaust gases from different cylinders can interfere with each other, further disrupting the smooth operation of the turbocharger. This is known as exhaust gas reversion.

To solve these issues, you can consider upgrading to a twin-scroll setup.

Twin-Scroll Turbo: The Ultimate Solution

A twin-scroll turbocharger, as the name suggests, has two exhaust gas inlets or scrolls, instead of one. These inlets are structured in a way that separates the exhaust gases from the cylinders that fire together.

This configuration prevents exhaust gas reversion, allowing the turbocharger to operate more efficiently. It also ensures that the turbocharger receives a more consistent flow of exhaust gases, reducing the sudden drop in power that characterizes turbo lag.

Furthermore, the twin-scroll setup allows the turbocharger to operate effectively at lower RPM, meaning that you can get more power and boost from your engine even when not flooring the throttle. This makes the twin-scroll turbo a particularly appealing upgrade for Mitsubishi Evo owners who want to reduce their car’s turbo lag.

The Right Way to Install a Twin-Scroll Turbo

Now that you’re aware of the benefits of a twin-scroll turbo, let’s discuss how to install one in your Mitsubishi Evo. The process is not straightforward and requires knowledge of car mechanics. You’ll need a new twin-scroll turbocharger, a compatible exhaust manifold, and possibly new exhaust pipes. You may also need to adjust your engine’s tune to accommodate the new turbocharger.

Firstly, you’ll need to remove the stock turbocharger and exhaust manifold from your car. Once they’re out of the way, you can install your new twin-scroll exhaust manifold and turbocharger. You’ll need to connect the exhaust pipes from the cylinders to the correct inlets on the manifold to ensure proper functioning of the twin-scroll setup.

It’s worth noting that some twin-scroll turbochargers come with a bigger turbine housing than the stock turbo. This means that you might also need to upgrade your exhaust pipes to accommodate the larger housing.

Lastly, you’ll need to adjust your engine’s tune to account for the new turbocharger. Without proper tuning, your engine may not be able to take full advantage of the twin-scroll setup, and could even run into performance issues.

Remember, this is a complex task, and performing it incorrectly could damage your engine or cause other problems. If you’re not confident in your mechanical abilities, consider hiring a professional to carry out this upgrade.

Considerations and Precautions when Upgrading to a Twin-Scroll Turbo

Making the transition to a twin-scroll setup is not a decision to be taken lightly. While it may be a highly effective solution for turbo lag, there are also potential challenges and pitfalls that you need to be aware of.

One such concern is cost. Twin-scroll turbochargers and their compatible exhaust manifolds are more expensive than their single-scroll counterparts. Furthermore, you may need to upgrade other parts of your exhaust system, adding to the total cost.

Another aspect is compatibility. Not every engine or exhaust system will be compatible with a twin-scroll setup. You need to ensure that your Evo’s engine and exhaust system can accommodate this upgrade.

Additionally, a twin-scroll setup will alter your car’s power delivery. While you’ll experience less turbo lag, you may also find that your car has a different feel when you’re driving it. It’s crucial to consider whether these changes will align with your driving style and preferences.

Lastly, make sure to get any modifications approved by your local transport authorities to avoid any legal issues. Some modifications might be against regulations, so it’s best to check before proceeding.

A Comprehensive Guide to Installing a Twin-Scroll Turbo

Once you’ve decided to upgrade your Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution to a twin-scroll turbo, it’s crucial to understand the installation process fully. However, please keep in mind that if you’re not mechanically inclined, getting a professional to handle the installation will be the best option.

Start by purchasing the necessary parts, including a twin-scroll turbocharger, a compatible exhaust manifold, and possibly new exhaust pipes. Depending on the twin-scroll turbocharger you choose, you might need to upgrade your exhaust pipes to accommodate the larger turbine housing.

Next, remove the stock turbo and exhaust manifold from your Evo. Ensure that you’ve correctly labeled and stored the parts you remove; this will help if you ever need to re-install them. Once you’ve removed these parts, carefully install the new twin-scroll exhaust manifold and turbocharger following the manufacturer’s instructions.

It’s vital to connect the exhaust pipes from each cylinder to the correct inlets on the manifold. This will facilitate the smooth operation of the twin-scroll setup and reduce the chance of exhaust gas reversion, which can lead to turbo lag.

Finally, you’ll need to adjust your engine’s tune to match the new turbocharger. This adjustment is critical to ensure your engine can take full advantage of the twin-scroll setup. Without proper tuning, your Evo might not perform optimally, and you could even encounter issues with the engine.

Wrapping Up

Reducing turbo lag in your Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution can significantly improve your driving experience. While there are various methods to achieve this, upgrading to a twin-scroll turbo is one of the most effective solutions. With a twin-scroll setup, you can enjoy a more consistent power delivery, which means less turbo lag and a smoother, more responsive ride.

However, keep in mind that upgrading to a twin-scroll turbocharger is not a decision to be taken lightly. It’s a complex task that requires mechanical knowledge, and the parts can be quite expensive. Not to mention the potential need to alter other parts of your exhaust system and adjust your engine’s tune.

In addition, while the twin-scroll turbo reduces turbo lag and improves the vehicle’s overall performance, it may also change how your car feels when you drive it. So, it’s essential to consider your driving style and preferences before making the upgrade.

And above all, don’t forget to check local regulations about car modifications to avoid any legal issues down the line.

In conclusion, if you’re an Evo owner struggling with turbo lag, a twin-scroll setup might be the perfect solution for you. But remember to weigh the pros and cons, consider all the variables and plan accordingly. Happy driving!