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Post by danie on Aug 21, 2010 7:44:44 GMT 2
Hi Guys On my way to work earlier during this week, I have met a Lada owner with a very unusual Lada - this very neat Lada looks as normal as any other Lada from the outside.........but I got very exited when the owner opened the engine hood !
Yes, a Supercharger has been installed on the Lada engine - by a professional firm in the area. The Supercharger gets activated by a switch whenever extra power is needed, and under normal driving conditions the Lada is as normal as any other Lada on the road !
The owner started the engine to show me how it works - the normal sound of the engine at idling speed suddenly change to a deep roar when the Supercharger gets activated, and the Russian pony power simply gets converted to wild Horsepower !
I do have contact details of the owner, as well as the firm who did the installation. Hopefully more information about this modification will be available here in the near future - I have also invited the owner to join this forum.
Regards
Danie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Aug 21, 2010 10:05:01 GMT 2
Cooooooooollllll Ari
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Post by ronnie on Aug 21, 2010 11:36:30 GMT 2
Hi Ari
Danie forgot to mention the most important point, the price!!!
Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Aug 21, 2010 12:04:05 GMT 2
Hi All.
Will this take a Lada past 150km/h. ;D
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by danie on Aug 21, 2010 13:18:54 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie
Unfortunately both of us (the owner and myself) have been in a hurry on our way to work, and we only had a short conversation.
The owner did mention something like R5000.00 for the Supercharger itself, and that the firm which did the installation also did more work on the Lada - at more costs. He also mentioned that the firm has been experts on the older type Fiats - like the 131 / 132, etc. models in the past. By having a look at the Supercharger, I thought it looked like the Volumex versions which have been used on the Fiat Abarth cars.
I do not want to jump the gun here - hopefully the owner will join and give us more details.......
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Aug 21, 2010 14:05:04 GMT 2
Hi Hercules
Danie will be horrified if you go over 115kmh! ;D
Ronnie
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bobbyd
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Post by bobbyd on Aug 21, 2010 15:02:01 GMT 2
If I had a switch I wouldnt turn it off!
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Post by danie on Aug 21, 2010 16:40:41 GMT 2
Danie will be horrified if you go over 115kmh! ;D Correct Ronnie.......... .............but in tough off road conditions it will put a permanent smile on my face........ Regards Danie
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Post by danie on Aug 21, 2010 17:14:23 GMT 2
Oh, when I am planning to do that kind of speed I usually just swing a leg over the Kawasaki's saddle.......... Regards Danie
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Post by ronnie on Aug 21, 2010 18:15:10 GMT 2
Hi Danie Actually the price does not really matter I can`t afford it anyway Ronnie
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Aug 21, 2010 19:04:48 GMT 2
Hi
I think it would be nice to have, but it is just another thing to service, maintain and to break
Ari
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bobbyd
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Post by bobbyd on Aug 22, 2010 4:38:30 GMT 2
Volumex superchargers are rare, very rare
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Post by danie on Aug 22, 2010 7:04:07 GMT 2
I will contact the firm who did the installation during this week for more details.
Regards
Danie
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Post by danie on Aug 23, 2010 20:14:11 GMT 2
Hi All Just some positive feedback - Today I visited the guys who did the Supercharger installation, and while I was there, the Lada owner visited them as well. More details about this mod is as follows: 1. Certain tests has still to be made on the Lada , and more small mods / adjustments might still be needed. 2. The Supercharger is not a Volumex, and seem to be more freely available. 3. The firm is very reputable, and well known in Alfa Romeo / Fiat circles. 4. The firm is in possession of another (similar) Supercharger. 5. The firm has manufactured and installed a Teflon pilot bush inside the transfer Box Input Flange (on the Owners Lada), which already proved to be a success. (I will also pass comments in this regard under the "Polyurethane Doughnut" thread. 6. Just some bad news to anyone who might be interested in the other supercharger (in possession of the firm) - I have already booked that one for myself... Regards Danie
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bobbyd
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Post by bobbyd on Aug 24, 2010 9:34:17 GMT 2
Im excited!!
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Post by danie on Aug 24, 2010 19:02:13 GMT 2
Well, I am very exited - just cant forget that sound of the engine when the Supercharger got switched on . I have booked the Supercharger on condition that the other owner's mod will be a success, so I am crossing fingers...... Regards Danie
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Post by danie on Aug 25, 2010 17:54:48 GMT 2
I hope to post some news on Friday or during this upcoming weekend. ;D ;D Regards Danie
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Post by marius on Aug 25, 2010 18:27:14 GMT 2
Hi Danie Apart from the fact that I am just a tad jealous about this supercharger whatever ;D Don't you think that in the medium to longer term it could cause premature failure on certain components? Please note tha I have no knowledge on this subject - just curious. Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Aug 25, 2010 19:11:05 GMT 2
Hi Marius
A supercharger is the same as a Turbo you only fit them to a motor in perfect condition.. The big advantage is there is no lag, just power on demand. Being able to switch it in and out is new. They used to be on permanently. I assume they now use a clutch the same as an Air con. Danie if you are rebuilding your motor Balance all parts, especially if you are going to fit a Supercharger.
Ronnie
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Post by danie on Aug 25, 2010 20:52:02 GMT 2
Hi Hercules / Ronnie The fact that this Supercharger can be switched off, and that I will be able to switch in on only when really needed really impressed me - but yes, I am sure that during misuse, it will definitely shorten the lifespan of quite a number of components. I do not have any intention of using the Supercharger during normal daily commuting - it will only be used when really needed - during offroad driving conditions. And no - I still do not have any intention of exeedind 110 km/h with my Lada . Regards Danie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Aug 25, 2010 21:30:06 GMT 2
;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by dgc on Aug 25, 2010 22:32:30 GMT 2
Hi guys, I'd just like to contribute a few things regarding forced induction and superchargers in particular. Some basic differences between turbochargers and superchargers are: Turbochargers are powered by wasted exhaust gasses whereas superchargers are powered by means of a drive belt, usually from the crank pulley. Hence, it takes power to generate power, or in other words, you will lose power before you start increasing power. Turbochargers have lag, superchargers don't. It's much easier to increase the boost on a turbocharger, you have to change pulley sizes to increase the boost on a supercharger. Some basic things to consider: In order to run reliably, it's advisable to lower the compression ratio of a motor if you intend using forced induction on, usually between 7,5:1 and 8,5:1 is good. This can be achieved in many different ways but the simplest and cheapest is to fit a thinker headgasket or aditional headgasket and spacer plate. Due to the fact that you are essentially compressing air, there are temperature increases and it's advisable to use an intercooler to cool the charged air. Superchargers are known to run very hot and cause higher temperature increases than turbochargers. More air in the motor means more fuel. If you are running fuel injection you'd have to fit bigger injectors and map the computer, carb would have to be re-jetted to suit. There are vast amounts of information on this subject and I don't want to repeat what has been said many times before, I just want to highlight a few important factors to consider before going ahead with a conversion like this. The switch used to activate the supercharger is similar to the pulley mechanism on an air conditioner pump. In my opinion, having part-time forced induction is potentially an engine tuners worst nightmare. Building and tuning a normally aspirated motor for optimal efficiency and performance is completely different to building and tuning a forced induction engine for optimal efficiency and performance. Imagine the logistics in trying to morph the two together... I personally love forced induction. They say if you don't have forced induction then you've got nothing but lag! But, it's not a conversion to just go ahead and do, or to let someone else do, without considering everything and planning it properly. Many motors have been broken by experimental forced induction conversions, many more will still be broken. Doing a conversion like this properly normally costs in the region of around R30 000.
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Post by marius on Aug 26, 2010 14:58:58 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie and Douw
Sorry for my slow response on this one - bit hectic still.
Anyways thanks for enlightening me on a subject I know very little about AND Douw your info is very informative and I would think that one should be VERY VERY carefull before doing/and using it.
The only thing I know about turbo chargers is that they need replacement every 5 years or so - that is why you see a lot of those vehicles on the market just before the 5 year period.
Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Aug 26, 2010 15:33:23 GMT 2
Hi Marius
Turbo`s also last a very long time if treated with respect. I managed to get a spare turbo for the Landy which I fitted at 295000km. I only fitted it because I had to overhaul the motor due to bad advice from the Agent, re rebuilt injectors as opposed to new ones.
Ronnie
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Post by dgc on Aug 26, 2010 16:31:54 GMT 2
You're welcome Marius.
Ronnie is correct, certain turbo's will last if they aren't abused. The reason why I say "certain turbo's" is because you get many different types, designs, makes and makers of turbo chargers. Some turbochargers are simply cheaply manufactured airpumps that won't last. Production car turbocharger units are normally not cheap and nasty, they are quite reliable. But the main causes of turbo failure (that I've seen) are not allowing a turbo to cool down after heavy boosting (and other lubrication related failures) and overspinning a turbo.
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Post by ronnie on Aug 26, 2010 18:18:01 GMT 2
Hi Douw
On the Landy I had a turbo protector which continued to feed oil to the turbo after the vehicle was switched off. After a long fast (by Landy standards) run I also allowed it to idle for a minute or so.
Ronnie
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Post by dgc on Aug 26, 2010 19:01:16 GMT 2
Hello Ronnie,
I'm sure Turbo Timers were fitted to assist drivers that didn't follow the cooling off instructions normally found somewhere on the inside of the driver compartment.
But allowing the motor to idle for a while before switching off is probably the best habit a turbo's driver could ever develop.
Douw
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Post by danie on Aug 26, 2010 19:29:30 GMT 2
Hi Douw / Ronnie / Marius Thanks for the info Douw - I have also started surfing the web for info, and any information in this regard will be highly appreciated. At this stage I am considering two options: 1. To install a switch, and only use the Supercharger (with a "mild" boost) when really needed - only in offroad conditions. 2. To install a switch, but also using the Supercharger during ordinary use. In this case, I would prefer a very low boost - in order just to get some extra power from the engine. Anyway, I have canceled my order for the Supercharger at the firm..........I managed to find one (in good condition), for R850.00 . I will send pics and more detail tomorrow, or during the weekend. Regards Danie
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Post by ronnie on Aug 26, 2010 19:41:30 GMT 2
Hi Danie
I don`t know what age your supercharger is but unless it is fairly new it will run all the time as "switchable" must be a new thing. As Douw says switchable must complicate things. I don`t know what boost you will be looking at, but the Landy was set for 1 bar. I am sure we are all waiting for your report, so don`t take too long. ;D
Ronnie
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