Electric supercharger

[2000StreetRod]

Electric water pump & electric fan clutch

Have you thought about going to an electric water pump?

I haven't found an SOHC V6 electric water pump kit that replaces the stock pump. There are supplemental electric water pumps but I don't need more cooling.

I considered purchasing an electric radiator fan clutch like used on the Powerstroke engine to replace my viscous fan clutch. The clutch to pump threads are the same but the fan bolt pattern is different (6 bolts vs stock 4). The electric clutch is not like the rapid engage/disengage electromagnetic clutch used on an A/C compressor. According to some owner comments the electric clutch takes about 30 seconds to vary from free wheel to lock and vice versa. In addition to the clutch I'd have to purchase a fan and a thermostatic control mechanism. The electric clutch does not last as long as the stock bimetallic controlled viscous clutch and is expensive. The fan is reported to be very noisy when the clutch is locked. I'd like to determine how efficient (or inefficient) the stock fan clutch actually is. I know forum members have reported fuel economy improvements by switching to an electric fan but that is mainly because it pulls (or pushes) less air thru the radiator. I suspect the flow is inadequate to maintain A/C cooling during extended idle periods. This could be corrected by adding a pusher fan in front of the condenser that is activated by the A/C compressor electrical control but I don't have room because of my remote oil coolers and filters. I can probably achieve fuel economy comparable to that of an electric fan by just switching to a lower pitch fan blade.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Electric supercharger rejected

I have finally decided to reject the idea of an electric supercharger for various reasons:

1. I have watched for a "bargain" 24 volt Kart motor for more than 1 1/2 years on eBay and not found one suitable
2. A high current 24 volt alternator is very expensive
3. The engine compartment is too crowded for two high current 12 volt alternators
4. The weight of two standard type batteries and the supercharger motor is prohibitive
5. High capacity new technology batteries (like used in electric and hybrid vehicles) are very expensive
6. A high current motor speed controller is expensive

If I ever decide to incorporate forced induction it will probably be a mechanically belt driven centrifugal supercharger.