Chad has reassured me there is absolutely nothing to worry about because of their location.
I am also going to install the hellion on my auto so I will be able to give an unbiased "every day driver
opinion" and comparison . Track times may be difficult to compare because of auto vs manual( I am
no Evan Smith) but should be able compare trap times for same boost.
Below is well written opinion by a resident "expert" -"phunk" to give him credit- on another forum. It
seems to me most, including myself , want the turbo in the engine bay for the coolness
factor/bragging rights, even though that location has very few benefits other than not needing a
scavenging pump(other advantages of the low mount have been touched on here before and
include quicker spool because direct connection to exhaust.)
Also note the protype TT that Ford racing built did not have the turbo in the engines bay but in a
similar location.
Phunk:
"That location is absolutely fine for turbos. In fact, it is ideal. The downside to this location is that they will need an oil return pump. It is about 2-3" lower than an OEM factory turbo system generally places the turbos, which is why it will need the scavenge pump. It is less weight because you have less stainless hot piping. To put them up front would take 2-3 feet of up-pipe, and 3-4 feet longer down pipe. Weight distribution of the vehicle is effected positively rather than negatively as the weight is placed low and centered.
Turbo response is improved with shorter exhaust manifolds supplying the turbines with hotter and higher velocity exhaust gases. Manifold reliability is improved as the turbochargers are not leveraged 2-3 feet away from the header flange putting all that stress on the tubing.
As for heat management concerns... This placement gives the exhaust heat a direct path out of the engine compartment. Most airflow that enters the grill through the radiator... It leaves the engine bay underneath at the back, and goes under the car. Passing these turbos on the way out, taking the heat down under the car with it. Turbochargers up in front on top have minimal direct airflow and lets not even get started on the added 6-8 feet of hot piping between manifolds, up-pipes, downpipes, wastegate tubes, recirc tubes, external gates, etc that is radiating heat all over the place.
You dont run your headers up to the top front of your engine bay and back down again for all the same exact reasons.
Can it be done and be done reliably? yes of course, like anything, "where there is a will there is a way'. Absolutely it can be done... but its just backwards to point the system above and poke at it when most other turbo systems I see on mustangs are starting out with every single disadvantage over this. "
I am also going to install the hellion on my auto so I will be able to give an unbiased "every day driver
opinion" and comparison . Track times may be difficult to compare because of auto vs manual( I am
no Evan Smith) but should be able compare trap times for same boost.
Below is well written opinion by a resident "expert" -"phunk" to give him credit- on another forum. It
seems to me most, including myself , want the turbo in the engine bay for the coolness
factor/bragging rights, even though that location has very few benefits other than not needing a
scavenging pump(other advantages of the low mount have been touched on here before and
include quicker spool because direct connection to exhaust.)
Also note the protype TT that Ford racing built did not have the turbo in the engines bay but in a
similar location.
Phunk:
"That location is absolutely fine for turbos. In fact, it is ideal. The downside to this location is that they will need an oil return pump. It is about 2-3" lower than an OEM factory turbo system generally places the turbos, which is why it will need the scavenge pump. It is less weight because you have less stainless hot piping. To put them up front would take 2-3 feet of up-pipe, and 3-4 feet longer down pipe. Weight distribution of the vehicle is effected positively rather than negatively as the weight is placed low and centered.
Turbo response is improved with shorter exhaust manifolds supplying the turbines with hotter and higher velocity exhaust gases. Manifold reliability is improved as the turbochargers are not leveraged 2-3 feet away from the header flange putting all that stress on the tubing.
As for heat management concerns... This placement gives the exhaust heat a direct path out of the engine compartment. Most airflow that enters the grill through the radiator... It leaves the engine bay underneath at the back, and goes under the car. Passing these turbos on the way out, taking the heat down under the car with it. Turbochargers up in front on top have minimal direct airflow and lets not even get started on the added 6-8 feet of hot piping between manifolds, up-pipes, downpipes, wastegate tubes, recirc tubes, external gates, etc that is radiating heat all over the place.
You dont run your headers up to the top front of your engine bay and back down again for all the same exact reasons.
Can it be done and be done reliably? yes of course, like anything, "where there is a will there is a way'. Absolutely it can be done... but its just backwards to point the system above and poke at it when most other turbo systems I see on mustangs are starting out with every single disadvantage over this. "
