S2000 Under The Hood S2000 Technical and Mechanical discussions.

Home-made Turbocharger?

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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:09 AM
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Default Home-made Turbocharger?

I found this pic where some guy made a turbo for his BMW for only about $200:



Do you think that this will actually work? It must add some HP, right?
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:14 AM
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you're kidding right?

well it kind of reminds me of that tornado thingy.

doesnt look to be a turbocharger since turbo's are exhaust driven. this just looks like its attached to the intake just like that tornado POS.


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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:16 AM
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Are you kidding? I think "Toro" is name of the leaf blower I have in my garage
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:23 AM
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Yes, it will work. That looks to be an AC unit that he must be running via an inverter. That's got to be a hefty inverter, though- not sure it would provide much boost, at least enough to overcome (appreciably) the parasitic drag due to the loading of the alternator.
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:24 AM
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Actually, it is a Toro leaf blower that the guy has modified to boost the air intake pressure. Note the routing of the power cable.

I mean, it must be good for some horsepower gain, right? Anybody with turbocharging experience care to guess at the horsepower gains?

Thanks.
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:47 AM
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Maveric
[B]Actually, it is a Toro leaf blower that the guy has modified to boost the air intake pressure.
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:49 AM
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i have the same exact leaf blower!
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 10:52 AM
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I think he must have a switch in the car that he can activate for a boost when he needs it. Kinda like nitrous, I imagine. He must also have a second battery to power it so that it doesn't strain his electrical system.

Those leaf blowers are really strong. I think that it must be good for at least several pounds of boost. Translate that into horsepower, and it could be significant...
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 07:17 PM
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Where did you get the pic? I would love to get the guys email and ask him a couple of questions. Or is this just a really good photoshop job?



Thanks,
Bobby
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Old Feb 26, 2002 | 07:52 PM
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Toro (the one i got) blows 140MPH, some other ones do up to 220MPH, i think that's some blowing power
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