I would like to know how many people on this forum would be SERIOUSLY interested in a drive system that removes ALL slip from their L98 blown corvettes. It is the holidays, and I have extra time on my hands (plus a bit of machinery and the engineering background) that I have thought may be well spent in designing a new drive system.

It will not be cheap, but will offer no slip. It will work on the P-600B, P-1 series, D1(R) series, and F-1(R) series. It will not work on either the old D-2(R) series or the other larger ATI blowers. Not sure on the Vortechs, as I have sold all of my Vortech stuff.

Please indicate if you have interest. I would like to get headcount so that I can mass produce the components.

Aaron

 

I have both hands up -- count me twice :hurray: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :hurray:

 

I would be interested, depending on:

How expensive not cheap is.
How much modification needed/ease of install

:hurray:

 

Regarding your two questions:

1) How expensive? I have not worked out the total cost, but I would say that ASP is getting close to $1000 for their complete 8 rib unit which still slips (though not as bad as the six rib set-up). Truly what is it worth to totally eliminate slip, and more importantly to me, to eliminate the wear and tear on the wp, ps, and alt bearings due to cranking up the tension. I would not expect the unit to be much more (if any) than the ASP unit.

2) How difficult to install? It will be no more difficult than removing the head unit (ducting and air filter included), all the factory brackets, relocating the PS reservoir over slightly, and removing the crank pulley. It will also require draining and refilling the radiator system. One additional item to note is that it now allows for larger diameter tubing on the discharge of the blower (if you are so inclined to upsize).

Really just looking to see if it makes sense to mass produce (maybe multiple produce) these units over the holidays.

Anyone else interested? I always hear discussions of wanting more boost, and too much belt slip, do we have interest?

Aaron

 

I would be interested in somthing for an F1-R. Are you thinking cogged or 12 rib or ?

Moving the PS reservoir would not be a problem.

 

Custom cogged belt is the only way for the C4 vettes. Sorry there is not enough room for 12 ribs setup.

Bruce
383LT1 Supercharged

 

the problem is the main pulley can only go to an 8 rib before it hits the rack and pinion.

if someone could figure out a way to use the area between the balncer and the main pulley, you could put a cog gear in there. but that leads to moving accessories etc...

still curious about the procharged mustang race car running a chain drive.

 

I believe that the first group will be the D series blowers (will include the R as well). Does anyone (who would actually be interested in purchasing the drive) have an issue with having to remove the head unit to pull the drivers valve cover? That is the only way that I can get both the D1 and the D1R in the same batch.

Bill/Bruce,
You are right on in your line of thinking. It has been done.

Aaron

 

I would say the limiting factor here is cost: after thousands $$$$ for the Procharger plus the inevitable engine rebuild, it's tough to justify > $1000 just for a drive system (that should've been better thought out by ATI.) I mean that kind of money buys a decent set of aluminum heads. However you'd have quite a few takers at 1/2 that price.

I'm wondering why someone doesn't buy a couple sprockets and chain for a 125cc motocross bike and bolt them to the front of the existing crank / blower pulleys. Should be narrow enough to clear the rack&pinion; or maybe in back if the bracket spacers were shortened. Those chains transfer in excess of 80hp without tensioners under quite violent acceleration / deceleration transitions!


[Modified by gcrouse, 5:05 PM 12/20/2003]

 

The chain concept was something my son suggested when we started the revisions to the ill conceived ATI drive set-up.

I would think that a chain drive would be very noisy with the length that the chain would have to be. The timing chain seems quiet, but IT runs in oil.

I have no doubt that a chain would hold the power; a 525 chain holds 330 hp (turbo gixxer K3).

Cogged drive is more the path that will run dry, transfer the power, and will be relatively quiet. As a side note, when I started down this path, I checked with a nationally known manufacturer who has the ability to manufacture the complete cog drive system, and was quoted $1800 (crank, ps, alt, blower, wp, ac, and idler). I developed a better way.

I wish I could make the drive for $100, unfortunately, the machine work costs money. But I am sure that there are some individuals out there who are tired of cleaning black dust off the front of their blower (and the inherent boost lost that accompanies the black dust).

Think of all of the people who have upgraded from a P-600B/P1/P1SC to the D series, or even the F series blowers due to wanting the boost that they had expected from their original "small" blowers. The P-600B (lowest blower ATI sells for the C4) is capable of 775FWHP. I maxed the P-600B at 550FWHP, then stepped up.

Aaron

 

Yeah the only way to keep cost under control is without custom machine work. That's why I'm wondering if existing parts (like the dirt bike sprockets, etc) could be adapted. Aren't there any "standard" cogged pulleys that might bolt up to the existing ones? Custom machining them out of billet alum is pretty pricey...

 

The timing on this is a little funny as I was a t a local shop a few weeks ago and was telling the owner that I had this in the works and how I was doing it. The machine work is $400.00 for my D1-X. Welding is required as well as an installer that does not need instructions. I am not looking to sell the setup as my time is limited but if there is an interest I will have the machine shop know and I will forward interested persons information to them.

 

Idea?
Ok what about this idea? Replace the Crank pulley for a Cog pulley the same sized as the rib. Then replace the pulley on the blower to a cog. Then run a cog belt from the crank to blower then bolt on a V pulley system ontop of the cog to run the rest of the system. Replace the water pump with an electric pump and then the rest of the pulleys the old school style pulley system. then when you are at the track you can pull V-belt that runs the AC,Power steering, and Alternator and just run the blower!

The V-pulley belts are skinney and cost effective!
I am thinking of fabricating something like this...?

What do you guys think?

 

Setup time is what kills you at a shop.
See what he can do if you order say 10.

You should see a big difference in price.

That's why you see all the group purchases on the forum.

 

I'd be interested in a 400 dollar drive system...who makes them? lemme know!

Chris

 

You guys keep looking for the $400 drive system and let me know when you find it. Unfortunately, mine is a bit more expensive, but it works and solves the slip, low boost, high belt tension (failed alternator / wp bearing) issues.

BTW, what happened to the others who had the system all planned out with the machinist, or the others who were going to market chain drives?

Best of luck.

Aaron