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ELECTRIC SUPERCHARGER

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THOMAS KNIGHT ESC-400

       

The ESC-400™ features an Eaton twin-rotor core driven by three powerful electric motors on a CNC 60-16 T6 aluminum billet, so unlike conventional roots-type superchargers, it doesn't suffer the parasitic loss of a belt-driven system. And unlike the hundreds of failed Electric Supercharger designs before it, the ESC-400™ doesn't suck current straight from your alternator, the futile strategy of countless engineers unable to think outside the box.

• Power Source · Independent, non-parasitic ultra-lightweight battery bank
• Max Recommended PSI · Stock engines should be limited to 5-7PSI
• Maximum CFM · 405 @ 5.5PSI
•  Maximum HP · Eaton is rated at 425
•  Maximum Duration · 15 seconds
•  Installation Time · 12+ hours. Difficulty: intermediate (advanced wiring required)

ESC™ 400 yields 96.5 hp max gains at 5.5 max psi on a '96 Dodge Avenger V6 (automatic trans., TKT headers, 3" exhaust, 60mm throttle body).

Max power: 136.3 stock, 232.8 under boost.

Max torque: 168.5 stock, 249.6 under boost.

This one DOES work, but it is expensive!

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THE CRAP

Claim: Electric supercharger that will add a significant amount of horsepower without spending thousands on a turbo, intercooler, waste gate, blow off valve, piping and the constant maintenance required to keep expensive turbos running. Easy to install by any novice. Will not void warranty (companies are not allowed to void your warranty when you did not modify actual engine components).

The typical turbo blows 600cfm (cubic feet/minute) of air into your engine.
We use a centrifugal 240 cfm blower just like an expensive turbo.
Available in 3" size to fit your aftermarket intake.
Our fan uses only 12 volts of electricity and uses only 5 amps of power!

These centrifugal turbo kits are the best investment you can make in terms of horsepower to $ ratio.
Automotive switch to turn on the blower at wide open throttle.
16 gauge wire.

Also required for installation is a hose connector. This is the same type that is used between aftermarket air intakes and the cars throttle body, or in between two air intake tubes as seen in cold air intake setups.

An Ebay special. . .

3/14/03: I am asking the seller for information on the TOP unit, MTBF, HP increase, warranty and what not.  It may be real nice for an I4, but a V6?  I will update when I get an answer.  As od 3/29/2003, I have not recieved an answer, so I suppose that answers everything.  I have read though, the MTBF is 150 hours.

4/24.03: This is what the guy wrote (After Emailing Him Again 4/23/03):

 well, i'm sorry if i didn't reply your email. i don't really remember you asking me anything. i receive quite a lot of mail.

 the electric turbo works on the v6 avenger because that is the car i personally drive. i can confirm that it does work. there
isn't a big difference in displacement, 2.5l vs. 2.0l of the typical inline 4 engine.

i don't know anything about any restrictions. the blades can brake on any electric turbo. i have it installed on my avenger and i don't worry about it, it seems to be durable enough. one can buy eram for 300$ and they can eventually brake too.

it's a question of actual experience and theory. if they didn't work i'd be unable to sell them. if somebody will have a problem i will simply return their money.

using 3 turbos in paralell will produce absolutely awesome results, but there's a question of having enough space in the engine
compartment.

viktor.

So, here he is CLAIMING the system works, does it really?  People always sell things that just do not work for YOU, but work for them, somehow. . .

This is a powerful Supercharger which puts out 240 Cubic Feet of Air a minute. This item will work with aftermarket and stock intake systems. Reinforced plastic housing holds a low vibration, heavy duty, balanced motor. Professional installation is recommended, although not necessary.

Also found on EBAY for $99.00 to start.

3/29/03: I am asking the same question of the second setup as the first, see if I get an answer.
4/24/03: I have not recieved a response at all from this person. . .
6/04/03: Well, there you go, still no response from the jerk-o, so you can come to your own conclusion!

Vehicle Requirements 3" wide intake. Features powerful, reliable turbo charged fan. Efficient, high volume air transfer. High air flow with low 2.7 amp draw to ensure long product and battery life, Slip-on inlet and outlet connections provides easy installation, up to 240CFM, 8000 RPM, Dimensions: 5-1/2"L x 5-1/16"W x 3-5/8"H, One way clockwise air flow, Powered by 12V power source, 2-wire installation, Tough, fire retardant/flame resistant ABS housing. This product is not designed to add boost but to make up for inadaquacies in you intake setup. Completely corrosion and water resistant. Compact and easy to install. 100% Street Legal, Mounting feet allow installation in confined spaces, Installation time: Under 1 hour in own driveway, will not require any modifications besides intake system, will not leave any permanent modifications on car, will not restrict airflow when idle, will not damage car or engine performance - completely safe when operated correctly, Not Recommended For Use With: Turbocharged or Supercharged Cars, Non fuel-injected engines. All sales final. Item being sold is not car specific. Seller is not liable for any misuse of this item.

The the item I highlighted for you?  CAn you belive it?  plus it says to use with cars that are alreadt turno, or supercharged?  There is no way this electric blower would keep up with either of those two systems.

SO, it isn't designed to add boost, Yet at the beginning of the ad, it says:

Why you should bid on this supercharger today:
1) Gain an extra 20-45 hp
2) Doesn't void your warrantee
3) VERY Inexpensive
4) Supplies are limited
5) Quick, easy installation you can do yourself
6) You won't regret it!

They are all full of crap!

This is a complete kit to add a new electric turbocharger to you car’s intake system. This kit will deliver up to 150 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of airflow when enabled! This is the same amount of airflow you would expect from the much more expensive aftermarket turbo and supercharger kits that cost well over $1000 each and require heavy modifications to your engine and engine bay. For a minor fraction of the cost, you will easily feel large gains of up to 60 horsepower! Not to mention, it will take almost anyone only an hour to install this kit. This kit will NOT void your warranty as all you are doing is adding extra quantities of air to the intake system, and it is easily removable to bring your car back to full stock setup.

150cfm?  The others claim 240, and they won't work.  What makes this idiot think THESE 150cfm ones will?

"So, its true they don't boost near as much as a normal turbo. But think of this. A normal turbo cost anywhere from $1500 up. A typical t3 will boost 650 cfm. I just picked one up off ebay that boosts 400 cfm and I only paid $70 bucks. I had my car dyno'd and Im seeing gains of 60+ hp. But, Im also running an ECU mod and a timing mod. I would say safely, Im seeing a 45+ hp boost from the electric turbo. The life span is usually around 150 running hours at the moment. I have mine hooked to a button so its 'on demand,' meaning its only on when I push the button. The choice is yours though. Happy hunting..."

The same reason applies for why some people think removing the fan from a rear wheel drive car, and replacing it with an Electric fan will increase horse-power by freeing up the HP that was turning the fan.  This may work on older cars with a SOLID drive system to the fan (like my old 1970 BMW), meaning the fan spins at the engine RPMS at all times becuase there is no clutch.  All newer cars use a clutched fan, the motor is free to spin-up quicker, while the fan catches up.  Todays cars are MFGed for max power in relation to federal emission laws.  If there were no emissions laws, you would see the 300+Hp motors off the line in these cars like it used to be.

I, and other people would not recommend this electric blower on a V6 at all, it would restrict air-flow under normal conditions too.  If you have a Four Cylinder motor, this probably will do a little bit for you.

There are higher CFM electric ones made for cars, at 450cfm and above.  You really need to be able to install it, test it first, then send it back when or if it does not produce what is claims.

You can parallel two or more of them together, fork them into one tube, and get the desired CFM and horsepower.  However, here you have that many times the cost of replacing them when they fail in 150hours or slightly more.  This setup also puts less of a restriction of air at normal speeds too.  Just one of these devices in-line will restrict air flor at normal operating speeds.

When they do work at all, they work at low RPMs, when you peak at about 3500, the HP can drop due to the restriction now presented by the device.  It's been tested with many engines.  LARGE horsepower engines will lose power, small engines to 2.5ltr may bebefit, but not much.

Lots of people CLAIM they work, and argue it to death.  It all depends on the type, cfm, and how it was installed.  IF you do get one, make sure there's a SCREEN on the end facing the intake.  WHEN, not IF, WHEN, those plastic fan blades break from overheating, they will head straight for your motor.  The screen is needed to prevent this from happening, but will not stop the small pieces..

Engine displacement is a major factor for choosing the size of a turbo or supercharger, and would also make a difference for these electronic versions. On a small displacement motor (1.6 to 2.5 I4s), it would be possible to get the 1 PSI of boost, but on a 2.8-4.3 and most higher displacement V6 engines, the flow required is quite a bit more than this device can supply at WOT. The PSI rating is also not dependent on the device, but the efficiency of the motor design, so a 1PSI claim for any motor is outrageous.

Save your money and get a real form of boost, and keep those leaf blowers OUT of the engine compartment.

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