electric powered superchargers

[97nissan240]

I've been seeing alot of stuff about superchargers driven by an electric motor. I tried it with a modified electric motor and achieved about 1/2 lb boost. I'm still learning about the whole forced induction, but like the concept of the electric powered, since you don't have to rip out everything nissan thought was holy with the ka. Any takes on this? Good or bad, I'm just looking for some feedback. Is the whole thing b.s., or worth a go? The ones I see advertised are talking about generating around 250 CFM, which is probably around 3-5 blips on the boost gauge.

Cheap power, or a waste of money?

[SeVa-S13]

The speed of the pressurized air has to be above a certain MPH, I'm thinking somehwere around 127 for some reason. All the "electric superchargers" that I've seen/heard of simply aren't effective in terms of forced induction. (Well there is that one that uses a crapload of batteris and will provide like 20 seconds of boost every 10 minutes or something ridiculous)You may see a couple HP gain with them just because of the improved airflow, but it really won't be forced induction if memory serves...

[97nissan240]

That was the problem I had when I tried to do my own Frankenstein job. I thought it was more due to casing I was using wasn't fully airtight, meaning all the great pressure building was going out the blowhole, so to speak. Thanks alot for the input. Guess I won't be seeing forced induction for a bit longer.

[navysnail]

a good electric super charger will run you about the same as a normal one would, so you might as well have it running all the time like a normal one would, the electric would only do like 15 sec. bursts

[Cold_Zero]

Two things I would caution you about. Depending on the location of the electric supercharger, you need to ask yourself if there will be any parts that can brake off and get sucked past your throttle body and into the combustion chamber? The other thing is can your engine utilize the extra air through the intake to make more power? 250 cfm seems a bit high, but I have never researched it.just my opinion.bud

[DAEDALUS]

Consider that a mechanical supercharger uses power to make it work and provide boost. An Eaton M90 requires over 9HP to make 5psi of boost at 6000RPM. 9HP is roughly 560 amps at 12V. How many amps does your alternator put out? 100? 560 amps is over 3x the power that your starter requires when you start the car, when all the lights dim and the radio shuts off.

RPM is key here. An electric motor that makes 2psi boost at idle might actually cause a decrease in power at 6000RPM.

[Mr1der]

yeah, the M90 has like a 56% efficiency rating or so where as turbochargers acheive upwards of 80 I believe...

I'd go with mechanical, no batteries to worry about...turbocharger would be your best bet really though, being it'd be easier for you to make a nice setup.

I think it was Knight that actually made an electric setup for the KA to use in altimas...it was around 3k and only worked in 20 second bursts or so....

belt or exhuast driven would give you the most bang for your buck really...