Originally posted by HardaTaqOk, before I get started, I realize that by posting about these, there's a possibility of it hurting what little reputation I have, but I'm really interested in hearing what some of you have to say about this. I have ALWAYS been very skeptical of these, and I've been reading PLENTY on the subject over the past few days, including that "the fan goes so slow that it actually blocks off air to the intake, hurting performance" etc. etc., but I'd like to get some good input, because I honestly think this could be a decent SMALL mod for those who can't afford the cost, or downtime of a turbo setup. In no way AT ALL am I saying these are superior, or even a replacement for a turbo setup by any means. Now, I'm not talking about the little hot-tub-bubble-blower motors that they sell on eBay for $80 and call it an "electric turbo", or the electric leaf-blower motors. However, before I get started I'd like for everyone reading to watch the following video on Streetfire.net -
http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=AB544E3B-5DFF-416D-9CFD-A1AD23CA9564&p=0 After you've watched the video, please continue, if you are continuing to read without watching the video, It would really make more sense to you if you did. Ok, so, as you can see from the video, with BOTH pulls on the civic and the truck, just the small leaf-blower adds a small amount of horsepower. Similar tests HAVE been done, with similar results. If you can agree and accept that on that video, a gain was proven by putting just a leaf-blower to the intake, then read on. Okay, now that we're on the same page, I have another video for you to watch. This is by e-Ram, a company that makes electric superchargers with models that put out 1psi, and another that puts out 1.7psi (still small potatoes, but they also have dyno-graphs, and G-Tech readouts to back it up, but, with me being a skeptic, they could be fake. I'm not accusing them of being fake, but this IS the internet) Now, feel free to view any of the videos on the e-ram site, but the one I'm wanting you to focus on is the one comparing the leaf-blower and the e-Ram blowing up a trashbag. The video I'm talking about is the second video from the top. I'm sorry I couldn't post a direct link, so here's a link to the demo-vids:
http://www.electricsupercharger.com/demovideos.shtml (P.S. this test was done with only the 1psi model) Now, "What does blowing up a god-damned trash bag have ANYTHING to do with engine efficiency and power, you filthy ricer?" you might be asking yourself. Absolutley nothing. I was merely wanting to show how much more air the 1psi e-ram moved, as opposed to the leafblower. Now, go back to the first video I posted and look at what just the leafblower did for the Honda and the truck. I'm not finished though. So I was thinking to myself, "$600+ for 1.7 measly psi, that's not that great of a deal." So I searched around for quite a while looking to see if anyone had higher "boost" models. Finally, I found a company in Europe called E.T.S. that has a model for around the same price as the 1.7psi e-ram, that's making nearly 3psi. Keep in mind that that's only 2 less psi than most stage 1 turbo kits for our cars at nearly 1/4 of the price. However I also realize there's no room for advancement with an electric fan, as opposed to a turbo system. I've assembled a small pro and con list for both, if you have any other's to add, please feel free: Electric fan, Pros: 1. 1 Hour down-time at most 2. No need for extra fuel control (or so claimed, knowledgeable input?) 3. Much lower price 4. Nanoseconds of lag (virtually none) Cons: 1. VERY limited boost 2. Absolutely no way to modify to make more boost 3. I've yet to read anything about durability. A fan blade being sucked into the intake doesn't sound like somthing anyone wants. Turbo Setup, Pros: 1. As much power as you can afford to make 2. Nearly unlimited options for modding 3. It's a proven method of efficient power 4. Excuse my ricey comment but FMIC's and BOV's are just fucking cool
Cons: 1. Fairly expensive 2. Depending on skill/luck, there is an amount of downtime 3. Requires more experience to tune/install/etc... Now, I know there are more pro's and con's for both, but it's late, and, quite frankly, I'm tired. I just listed off the first couple that came to my head. I would like to know if you think this would be somthing worth-while to do, for those of us with limited budgets, hectic schedules, and limited tuning/installation experience. Again, I'm not trying to in ANY WAY say that this is a superior method of forced induction, because we all know that it isn't even close, but I honestly would like to try one just to see. I'm looking for VALID reasons why I should, or should not buy and test one of these products. Again, it's 2.9 psi, for around $600, and a 20 minute installation to have you back out on the road, with a few more dyno-tested-and-proven wheel horsepower. Please, I would really appreciate intelligent responses. I've taken the time to research the topic, and get to know as much as I can about them, so please respect that by giving me some good intelligent replies. Sorry for the long post. -Chris P.S. I forgot to add that these are hooked up to the throttle position sensor and only activate while under WOT. I think that this mod, if it works as described, would be worth the money, considering the fact that other mods (including the price of installation, of course) can cost around the same, or more and yield less gains.
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