Taking Apart A Vortech Supercharger

In this video I take apart a Vortech to prepare it for conversion to electric power. If you'd like to contribute a buck or two to the cause visit my patreon page: / alexltdlx

[@mikebessette6530]

Good to see your still at it Alex. I've been following your stuff way back since the M112 install thread on the forums. Always appreciate your DIY approach and out of the box thinking. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see your moving on to electric supercharging. Good luck!

[@AlexLTDLX]

Thanks man. I just enjoy trying out new things. All the blowers I've used in the past have been the limiting factor. This one won't be any different, but it seems that the limits are not only imposed by the Vortech SC trim, but also by the available motors. I'll be posting an update video shortly - I've found a motor capable of 22hp (peak) and 40,000 rpm. So I might need to make a second electric Vortech. And since I'll be shooting a lot more video in my garage, I've been re-doing that unholy mess... wait until you see the state I let it fall into.

[@justinwright54]

Pretty cool you were in my recommend! Nice video man!

[@christianhaag7814]

I will support the patreon when i can, i want to see this project go far im exited for the results

[@johnparrish9215]

You just might be onto something I have needed, a High Volume Vacuum Pump that is reasonably priced. If you have ever tried to vacuum bag large composite parts having enough vacuum is critical.

[@michaelsantori6513]

The abrasive marks on the back of the impeller are for balancing

[@Iowa599]

That "balance point" is actually debalancing it. I saw that chip come out. Watch when it makes a funny noise, on the press.

[@gallupcustomknives2293]

Out of curiosity can you tell us the teeth count on the gear drive? I’m just curious what the ratio vs engine rpm is. Another thought I had about the crankcase evap pump, what about a smog pump? I’ve heard of guys trying to use them to “supercharge” mini bikes and Honda CT70 style engines, but they don’t supply enough flow/pressure for anything bigger than 5-6hp NA base engine

[@AlexLTDLX]

Sorry for the delayed reply - I don't have the parts here to count the teeth, but according to Vortech, all V2 blowers have a 3.6:1 internal step up.

[@misterbulger]

I've been wanting to do this with a 2 stroke or lawnmower engine coupled to modified angle grinder parts. I'm fascinated to see what a procharger looks like on the inside! Has this been done?

[@AlexLTDLX]

Don't know. I've reached out to procharger but have heard nothing back.

[@ltorealestate]

Question, what was the advantage to using the vortech supercharger unit over lets say a regular ebay gt45 turbo with no backhousing for a couple hundred bucks? Im sure you had many options.

[@AlexLTDLX]

Once again; I can answer you with a video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmjchJarlpdrf5o It's kinda tech-y; but I think it's a really good explanation of why I went this way.

[@Ramzjerknsk8]

Hey man did your p-2 speedway supercharger pulley have the same shape and come off and replace the same. Im debating on buying one but I'd need to replace the gilmer drive to 6 rib

[@AlexLTDLX]

The P2 doesn't have a gear box and the T5 drive is physically machined into the impeller shaft. It would be virtually impossible to put a 6 rib pulley on it without major modification, unfortunately.

[@breonshaw2717]

So to change from clock wise to counterclockwise is it as simple as changing the compressor wheel?

[@AlexLTDLX]

No, you'd need a new volute too.

[@evil_me]

How much horsepower does the cat add?

[@AlexLTDLX]

Simon is a very sweet, dysfunctional moron. We think he was a "return." He stuck his face in a fan once, removing all the fur from his nose. I don't think he'll add much, but maybe we'll strap him to the dyno and find out.

[@user-be8ej1xc9i]

Hi maybe you can help us we need a fan and the residents don't know how to get a kit thank you God bless America ❤

[@user-xz5bi9pg9g]

Any chance you still have that input shaft gear that you didnt use? If so do you wanna sell it?

[@AlexLTDLX]

It's long gone, unfortunately.

[@muhammedosmankurt6687]

Link ??

[@zomie1]

Love this series! I was curious how they did the gearing in those to get the compressor up to speed. I think a turbo needs to be at around 150-250k rpm to build psi. I am curious what that compressor wheel on that super charger is designed for.

[@AlexLTDLX]

I go into detail on exactly that in the previous video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmjchJarlpdrf5o Thanks!

[@zomie1]

@@AlexLTDLX Oh nice! I am not sure how I missed that one. Have you seen the little AMR Roots 500 Superchargers? I think they are like $150-200. They have like a possibility for an electric motor application on a 4 cylinder engine.

[@AlexLTDLX]

Yeah, somebody else pointed those out to me. Ironically, they would be great for a crankcase evac pump - hat started this whole mess.

[@poncoolride]

What are your planns for the parts you arent going to reuse? I may be interested in them if you want to "rehome them" 😁

[@AlexLTDLX]

You mean the Vortech parts? I dunno... Do you need something?

[@poncoolride]

@@AlexLTDLX well, I wouldnt mind having spairs.

[@AlexLTDLX]

@@poncoolride If you want to buy some stuff, that's fine - I need to offset the cost of the batteries and ESC, both of which I still need to buy.

[@poncoolride]

@@AlexLTDLX cool, how much do you want for the leftover parts?

[@AlexLTDLX]

Sorry for the delayed reply. Let me see what parts I have left over once I've decided what direction we're going in. I've changed my mind a couple of times and how to deal with this already.

[@seijirou302]

The cubed rule may not hit you like you're thinking, as the modified wheel will pump less at the same RPM consuming less power. For the same air mass moved through more RPM it's likely the same power. Here is a decent reference for the pump equations. I haven't done the math myself but I'll go on a limb and guess if your new position on the map remains in the RPM range of the motor shifting up won't hurt you (much). www.engineersedge.com/fluid_flow/pump_laws.htm

[@AlexLTDLX]

Hey man - how are you? You might be right. I was thinking along the same lines. If the motor doesn't have enough power to spin the bigger S impeller (i.e. loses too much peak rpm), this might put us in the same or possibly better spot. We'll find out, because supposedly the ESC I'm looking at tells us the actual motor rpm through back EMF. Great hearing from you!

[@mikeh3511]

Do you still have that large gear you said you weren't going to use? If so, I'd like to purchase if you want to sell it.

[@AlexLTDLX]

Sorry - I just saw this. Yes, actually I do. Go to my channel page, and under the "about" tab, my email address is under the Details/For business inquiries. Shoot me an email.

[@mikeh3511]

@@AlexLTDLX Yes, sent you an email. 👍

[@denisohbrien]

why not keep the 2 bearings and the rear case and drill through that for the motor to engage in that shaft. I only suggest it as vortech have already provided you with bearings and races designed to take the loads and speeds from that compressor, seems a shame to junk it.

[@AlexLTDLX]

That's a thought, but I don't really don't think it's necessary. Also, that shaft is harder than Chinese arithmetic so it's going to be a challenge to just drill. I may have to grind some off the rear face. I don't want to anneal iit cuz that'll put Mill scale on it. I'm also going to have to buy a high-speed lubricated bearing that fits in there because I don't want an oil feed. But it's a good thought, I'll keep it in mind.

[@denisohbrien]

@@AlexLTDLX seeing as their won't be gears meshing you'll just have to rig up some sort of splash lube for the bearings. case is already oil tight. anyways just a suggestion, ain't my project, but v.interesting!

[@AlexLTDLX]

@@denisohbrien I'm searching for ceramic/sealed bearings for this thing. Otherwise, you're right - I'll need to do something to keep them lubed.

[@andywu8558]

No oil slinger on this unit?

[@AlexLTDLX]

No. And no need for one, really.

[@andywu8558]

This is the vortech v3 si right?

[@AlexLTDLX]

@@andywu8558 No, It's a V2 demo unit - it has an SC impeller in it. I can machine it to fit an Si impeller, which would perform much better (and that's currently the plan).

[@andywu8558]

AlexLTDLX awesome.

[@AlexTBon4073]

I don't understand..why not keep the gearing

[@AlexLTDLX]

Watch my video on compressor sizing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmjchJarlpdrf5o

[@hydrocarbon8272]

Technically the smaller exducer just ALLOWS for higher wheel speed. The limit of a compressor wheel is when the tips go supersonic. Larger exducer sees that at a lower RPM, but is more efficient until it does. The smaller wheel is less a prob since it won't be coupled to engine speed, unless your motor is too slow.

[@AlexLTDLX]

I'd agree except Vortech lists the SC trim as slightly more efficient (the compressor maps verify this), and the whole power to turn the compressor wheel increases with the cube of rpm. But as a buddy pointed out, there's a "sweet spot;" and that will be determined by the electric motor's capabilities. At least I can swap in an S trim wheel if we don't hit torque-limited rpm with the motor I'm ordering. Only one way to find out, right?