Bill Gates•How much power can I expect?This is always a loaded question…it depends upon many variables. However, a stock engine should be able to produce 35%-40% more horsepower and in some circumstances even more. Opening up the exhaust from the engine back will help greatly. Engines with modifications can get absolutely huge gains.•Will using the SPC-Thunderhead alternator use much power from my belt system?It will use power pretty close to what the superchargers electrical draw is. In other words, if the supercharger requires 10hp of energy to run, the alternator will require no more than 12hp from the engine, but the gained power could be 30hp for example. If the supercharger isn’t being used much, very little power is required from the alternator. While the power is still obtained from the engines belt system, unlike other forms of forced induction, excess power can be stored in a battery setup. How much battery capacity, or storage, is up to the customer.•Will it harm my engine or will it wear out prematurely?This can be used for better everyday engine efficiency or can be used in high powered motorsports. How you use it and how you maintain your engine will determine the answer to the above question. Excessive performance driving almost always reduces an engine’s life, while in everyday driving you may never experience any additional wear to the motor.•Do electric superchargers really work?This is my favorite. I have seen many attempts by folks to build an electric supercharger. Others say it just can’t be done. Here are just two factors, of many, that separate us from the others 1. Our patent pending composite aluminum matrix Hyper-Lite Compressor Wheel® is radically lighter than typical aluminum. This means far less energy is required to make it spin and higher speeds can be obtained than otherwise possible.2. Our RCCS® Power Transmission is extremely light and has a 99% energy transfer efficiency and NOBODY else has this. A simple explanation from our engineering department..•Will it make my alternator run all the time?With a decent alternator and general day to day use, you shouldn't notice much difference. It really depends upon how often you operate at full speed, what battery options you go with, if your alternator/charging system is worn out or if your alternator is just too small. It’s always a good idea to upgrade the alternator. All kits come with a compact secondary battery, and you can always add another for more capacity if needed. We also offer dedicated 42v Thunderhead alternators to work with our SPC AirCrusher-HV series superchargers.•Should I use underdrive pulleys?No. Under-driving an alternator will cut down on your available power. You may want to invest in lightened pulleys that are stock size.•Can I install it myself?We always recommend that you use a skilled professional if you yourself aren’t a skilled mechanic. Preferably one that understands forced induction. However, many people have been able to do installations without being a certified mechanic of any kind. As with any aftermarket forced induction systems, a cool drink, some elbow grease and the human mind can accomplish seemingly anything. Perhaps the most time consuming portion of the install is the intercooler plumbing.•Do I need to have my car tuned or buy an aftermarket ECU?If you will be running low boost (a few psi to 5ish psi), probably no tuning will be needed. If you plan on running high boost, definitely have it tuned. As a rule of thumb; you will always get more out of your engine if you have it tuned. A tuned engine will always perform better after adding nearly any modification.•How long do your electric motors last?They are rated at ±40,000 hours of life. In other words, you would need to run them for over 1,600 days of actual use…that’s a lot of run time. They are brushless and liquid cooled, so the life is excellent.•Will this work for my car?These will work for most fuel injected or carburetor engines. Feel free to call to ask about custom installations as well. We will work with you to achieve whatever you can dream.Have any other questions? We’d love to hear from you, and post your questions here.
Bill Gates
•
How much power can I expect?
This is always a loaded question…it depends upon many variables. However, a stock engine should be able to
produce 35%-40% more horsepower and in some circumstances even more. Opening up the exhaust from the
engine back will help greatly. Engines with modifications can get absolutely huge gains.
•
Will using the SPC-Thunderhead alternator use much power from my belt system?
It will use power pretty close to what the superchargers electrical draw is. In other words, if the supercharger
requires 10hp of energy to run, the alternator will require no more than 12hp from the engine, but the gained power
could be 30hp for example. If the supercharger isn’t being used much, very little power is required from the
alternator. While the power is still obtained from the engines belt system, unlike other forms of forced induction,
excess power can be stored in a battery setup. How much battery capacity, or storage, is up to the customer.
•
Will it harm my engine or will it wear out prematurely?
This can be used for better everyday engine efficiency or can be used in high powered motorsports. How you use
it and how you maintain your engine will determine the answer to the above question. Excessive performance
driving almost always reduces an engine’s life, while in everyday driving you may never experience any additional
wear to the motor.
•
Do electric superchargers really work?
This is my favorite. I have seen many attempts by folks to build an electric supercharger. Others say it just can’t
be done. Here are just two factors, of many, that separate us from the others
1. Our patent pending composite aluminum matrix Hyper-Lite Compressor Wheel® is radically lighter than typical
aluminum. This means far less energy is required to make it spin and higher speeds can be obtained than
otherwise possible.
2. Our RCCS® Power Transmission is extremely light and has a 99% energy transfer efficiency and NOBODY
else has this. A simple explanation from our engineering department..
•
Will it make my alternator run all the time?
With a decent alternator and general day to day use, you shouldn't notice much difference. It really depends upon
how often you operate at full speed, what battery options you go with, if your alternator/charging system is worn out
or if your alternator is just too small. It’s always a good idea to upgrade the alternator. All kits come with a
compact secondary battery, and you can always add another for more capacity if needed. We also offer dedicated
42v Thunderhead alternators to work with our SPC AirCrusher-HV series superchargers.
•
Should I use underdrive pulleys?
No. Under-driving an alternator will cut down on your available power. You may want to invest in lightened pulleys
that are stock size.
•
Can I install it myself?
We always recommend that you use a skilled professional if you yourself aren’t a skilled mechanic. Preferably one
that understands forced induction. However, many people have been able to do installations without being a
certified mechanic of any kind. As with any aftermarket forced induction systems, a cool drink, some elbow grease
and the human mind can accomplish seemingly anything. Perhaps the most time consuming portion of the install is
the intercooler plumbing.
•
Do I need to have my car tuned or buy an aftermarket ECU?
If you will be running low boost (a few psi to 5ish psi), probably no tuning will be needed. If you plan on running
high boost, definitely have it tuned. As a rule of thumb; you will always get more out of your engine if you have it
tuned. A tuned engine will always perform better after adding nearly any modification.
•
How long do your electric motors last?
They are rated at ±40,000 hours of life. In other words, you would need to run them for over 1,600 days of actual
use…that’s a lot of run time. They are brushless and liquid cooled, so the life is excellent.
•
Will this work for my car?
These will work for most fuel injected or carburetor engines. Feel free to call to ask about custom installations as
well. We will work with you to achieve whatever you can dream.
Have any other questions?
We’d love to hear from you, and post your questions here.
