Fitting the ATI P-1SC to 3.8L

[DrFix2Fly]

After retiring the idea of turbocharging my 3.8L for practicality reasons of exhaust routing, I have focused on the ATI ProCharger. I have read all about the Virus project and it serves well as an inspiration, but I wonder if it can can't be done more simply. My thought was to use the same reverse-facing idea and use the idler location to drive the supercharger. I know this would be with the back side of the belt which may encourage slipping with the gear-driven charger. To counteract this I believe a "smooth" pulley can be "roughed" up a little to retain good contact and reduce slippage. Any machine shop can add a knurled texture to it. Feedback anyone.

[94-3.4]

I was thinking the same thing. I noticed that Paxton superchargers are awfully cheap these days and maybe it would be nice to mount one of those bad boys up like you discribed.

[Patrick Javert]

I think that if you use the original belt that turns your assesories on your car that you should look into a custom underdrive pulley setup for the water and alternator pulleys to not lose as much crank hp and help with pulley size and belt length. you can also have those pulleys "roughed" up like was said in an earlier reply. I have belt slipage as is with my setup when I floor it because I can smell the belt burning like the way tires smell when burning out but not as bad, yet.

[DrFix2Fly]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I think the underdrive pulleys will reduce the strain on the engine as far as turning the accessories and it will help reduce starter strain since it will now be turning another accessory, namely the ProCharger. The only hitch is that it will turn the charger slower too, so I will be back to playing with pulley diameters again. I was wondering what would cause your belt to burn in your setup?

[John_D.]

The belt slippage seems to be more pronounced running on the flat side of the belt, and especially if the belt doesn't wrap around a lot of the pulley. I'm dying to see this kit the guys are working on. I hope it wraps around at least 2/3's of the pulley.

[DrFix2Fly]

I believe that by using the idler pulley location and moving toward the centerline of the accessory case I can pick up a few more mounting locations and get the belt to wrap almost half of the pulley. Combined with a knurled surface on the pulley, a slighlty longer belt and a reasonable boost (under 9) this is very doable without smoking or slipping the belt. Perhaps the belt life will be shortened, but that that's a small price to pay.

[AZ3.8Camaro]

I think the secret to the p600 kit they are working on, is using an underdrive pulley that has slots for 2 belts. 1 runs as normal, 1 is for the SC. So you can run the SC belt smooth side out.

[TealV6]

I know EVERYONE is dying to see our 2.0 project that Batman, Stefan, the Machinist and myself are working on.... I will tell you all that it's coming along VERY well. Me and Batman just got together again tonight.

After the 3.8 2.0 project is done, the 3.4 2.0 project starts. Everyone can start putting your pennys away now. :D

And you can get a good deal on ATI P600B units now adays. I know of 3 of us in the Detroit area that have them.... Wait til the Dream Cruise :D The V8 boys will not know what hit them with no less then 3 blown V6's running together ;)

Steve

[mike malloy]

is there a projected date. alot of use are getting impatient. sometimes it seems like this is going to fall through or something..

[TealV6]

This project will NOT fall through! This is going to continue. Issues being money, time and families. We are not a company that can spend 10 hours a day, 5 days a week just working on this.

We do have lots of pictures of the 3.8 2.0 project, but we are not going to release them until we are happy with what we have. We like what we have so far, but we want perfection :D

Again, once 3.8 2.0 project is compete, we will continue with the 3.4 2.0 project. I'm sure once you see the results of the first kit, you all will enjoy the second.

I also know that the procharger page is offline right now and points to a 404 error page. This will be fixed in the next week or so.

Thanks
Steve

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Hey teal, do you guys have one up and running, and are now just fine tuning and stuff? I mean have you got the thing to mount in there and the belts to line up yet? I can't hardly wait for this thing to come out, I'm am getting a loan for it ASAP!

[imported_admin]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by AZ3.8Camaro:
Hey teal, do you guys have one up and running, and are now just fine tuning and stuff? I mean have you got the thing to mount in there and the belts to line up yet?<hr></blockquote>

Yes, it's been up and running for about 2 years now. :D

But the update will take place when Ryan and Steve feel comfortable... grand opening of sorts.

I think we should release some "sneak peek" pictures, though...

[DrFix2Fly]

I was staring at my engine compartment the other day when it struck me like a bag of quarters. Why not mount a reversed-facing supercharger using the same belt, with the rib side, driving the supercharger located between and slightly below the belt tensioner and the water pump pulleys. This idea will use a longer belt and will still use the ribs. Also there are plenty of places in the area to mount a bracket to. The other consideration is whether to use a Paxton, ATI or vortech.

[Patrick Javert]

I don't know if we should have the sc using the same belt as everything else. I would prefer a wider belt to turn the sc just for saftey reasons. also, if the sc is to be turned by the main belt, it would be good to have the sc pulled by the rough side of the belt for less slippage durning hard acceleration.

[DrFix2Fly]

I understand about using the grooved side of the belt and the problems with the flat side as used by Powerdyne kits. My idea uses the grooved side for grip and no additional belt for convenience. More research has me leaning toward the Vortech CCR unit. The two belt idea has one advantage. It offers the reliability that everything else will continue to operate in the event of a supercharger belt failure but is requires more parts to include a two belt crank pulley, some sort of tensioner, an extra belt and longer mounting hardware. My idea offers simplicity with less parts and less hardware but decreased belt life. The only downside to my idea I can see is having to change the belt more often as a precaution. I think this is a small price to pay for all the savings. Who knows, maybe I will develop my own kit.