This is an interesting thread! I'm surprised that an axial flow compressor would have the range to provide the necessary airflow at both low and high engine rpm. I would suspect that compressor stall and surge would be real problems, but hopefully you've got those beaten with some bypass devices or variable geometry. I suspect the part count, potential number of machining operations, necessary tight clearances, and small blade height might make this a rather expensive proposition. Perhaps net shape powder metallurgy processes can keep costs down on the bladed components! Please keep updating the progress on this! Thanks, Rich

Sounds good & all but 1 question? i live in Australia would this product be for international owners aswell?

P.S Richard you sound pretty confident in what your doing and thats always a good (especially in business). Keep it up

Richard,

This has been an intersting thread to read. I look forward to seeing the results. Keep up the good work and the well thought out answers. Maybe someday I will be able to buy one, for now the dreams are good enough.

thanks

Hope you're spending this time wisely workin' on the s/c. i really appreciate your efforts and i sincerely hope this pays off for you as well as the rx-8. give us any new details when you can. thanks

It's been a week and a half with no report or update. What happened? Please tell me this isn't another potentially good idea that disappeared thread. I want to believe.

i think hes building.............?
hey someone earlier said its should be cheaper i thought these were expensive to build?

The RX-8 compressor prototype is being built. It will be done in about 10-14 days. Then it will be bench tested. We have accsess to an engine but not a car.

The reason I have not posted anything is that I don't want to just flap my jaw. I try to answer any questions as they post.

Keep the faith I'm working hard on it. As soon as there is a hard part you will get pictures.

I also think the electronics can be worked out. With a lot work that is.

This is going to work or I'll be sitting under a bridge with a fuzzy face drinking from a brown paper bag. H'mm, that's what Dave Zeuschel used to say would happen to me.

Thx, Richard

Yay an update! That's all we wanted. Thanks.

Good luck Richard.

This is an info hungry group. Please continue to keep us well fed! :D

If this really WORKS -- you will be cashing checks for a long time. Can't wait for some real results/details. Please tell me when the waiting list starts so I can get my name towards the top :D

I'm still interested as well. I cant wait to see an install and some output numbers. I'm saving money to finish paying off the last of my debt, but I could save that money for this instead :b

Richard,
Would it be possible to use an electric motor to spin up the SC at low RPM. I'm guessing you need a couple thousand RPM coming in to get any messurable boast out. Could you spin put at low (perhaps on demand) then let the engine take over at high RPM.

No rush on the answer, I'm just wondering.

Richard,
I think i sense some determination in your last message LOL!
Go big guy! Supercharger mcuh better for this car than a tubro in my humble opion. One thing to keep in mind is that their is a heat factor under the hood of this car. Read the threads on burnt coils, heat and the ecu concerns etc. Turbos = heat, superchargers are much better i think. Also one respected member (rx8 friend)states that the engine cover HAS to be used because it directs airflow properly and without it the car is much more likely to burn the coils. so in placing/ mounting the unit i suggest keeping that in in mind? Luck to ya man. If you can produce the product with a reasonable price YOU WILL HAVE A MARKET!

I think after reading all the reactions to this post, it finally makes sense to me. This supercharger seems much more unique than its counterparts. For many of us, driving a rotary engine is a reason in and of itself for purchasing the RX8. So why just slap an engine component on it that most people on the street could get? We want to keep it unique! =)

And us TiT gray owners want to look and sound like a fighter plane even more (except for wings =x)

Uh.... all forms of forced induction are superchargers -- the rest is all about how you drive the supercharger or how the supercharger produces its boost.

Richard, it's really good to hear that the Latham Supercharger is not merely a fond memory! I wanted one of these for my 383 MoPars, but that never came about. Now it looks like I may get one for my RX-8!
BTW, my 8 is available for testing, and as I am retired now scheduling would be easy.

From what I remember from my years at Snecma (jet engine manufacturer), an axial compressor is efficient on a very limited range of (high) RPM. Without any further research or calculation, I'd consider it not compatible with an automotive application.

On the other hand, has anyone out there ever considered designing an epitrochoidal (rotary) supercharger? I've been thinking about that since I read in Yamagushi (great read by the way) that all pumps in the Renesis (oil and water) are of this type!

Richard Paul, I was wondering what sort of ECU jiggery/pokery you were planning to use with this supercharger.
Personally, I really like the sound of the AccessECU being developed by Cobb Motorsport.

http://www.accessecu.com/products/accessport.html

This is already available for Subaru's, and is anticipated to be available for the RX8 mid July/early Aug. and this is what I would like to couple with your supercharger. It has the added bonus of not requiring you access to the actual ECU (can't do it on U.K. spec. cars as it's a sealed unit), or you having to mess around with the internal wiring of the car.
Please feel free to PM me if you want, and then we can talk about this in more detail.
Keep up the good work; and Thanks again for all your work. This is what we all need... :D

That would be news to all those turbocharged auto that use a centrifigul compressor.

BIG BIG mistake : I meant AXIAL. I'll edit the original text right away. Thx babylou.

Are you talking about the ECU of the Subaru or the RX8 there? If your talking about the 8, does that mean ECU mods are out of the question on UK spec cars?

(This would be a major bum ache)

Both :). At the moment this product is available for Subaru's, and it is being developed for the RX8. You just plug it in to the car, and upload a new map to your car's ECU (+ some other features). As Mazda have gone way over the top protecting our ECU's for Thatcham requirements (U.K. only :( ), this is about the only way we can change our engine management maps without having to splice into the cars wiring loom...

how nice it is to live in a country where everything is harder and more expensive to accomplish.

Cheers

UPDATE
 

Here's an update on the Rx 8 project.
The compressor parts are done. There are some improvments in the inlet and outlet housings. It has five stages. The nose has been shortened as much as possable.

The parts are at the polishers and I will pick them up today. I will take pictures tonight and post them in the morning.

We will assemble the compressor and start bench tests by the weekend. If all goes well we will start to fit to an engine next week. That;s as far as I can predict the future.

But it all looks great. You will be able to see the Mazda specific mods to the parts.

Richard Paul

so long, but yay, an update!

On 6/4, Richard said it would be a month before he had any hard data. Even if it's two, I'm impressed. Of course, he still has the actuall vehicle fitment, testing, ecu issues to go...

Thanks for the update Richard -- it is much appreciated. You have a lot of guys anxiously awaiting a finished product -- but at the same time we want you to really do it right. Just feed us little tidbits as you go.

I just hope at the first little setback we don't get riled up. There is bound to be a setback or two along the way.

Yup, and it's apt to be the ECU tuning.

One quick question from an inexperienced supercharger user. Would you have to retune the ecu differently with a supercharger + aftermarket intake or would it be the same as a supercharger + stock intake?

I would think it would be the same.

I doubt very much if the stock intake would even be an option with a supercharger. I would imagine there would be a big pipe and filter on the front of it to flow as much as possible....someone car correct me if I'm wrong, but I doubt all that variable intake tract stuff would be necessary or even desirable in an FI application.

jds

The variable length tunning of the stock intake would be unneccesary and mismatched with any FI system.

-Mr. Wigggles

I would set it up so that the variable valve system is only operated under boost. That way, when the car is running at part throttle and not under boost, it is still running with the tuning benefit of the tuned system and with max velocity through the only open runners. This would give good off boost response. When positive pressure is realized, all of the valves open and max flow is available that so the compressor can force air into the engine as easily as possible. Best of both worlds. As long as the ecu can automatically adjust fuel/timing maps based on pressure this wouldn't be an issue and a very easy solution.

sometimes i need more time to post. i was thinking exactly the same thing as rotarygod and if i had got my post in first it would have looked brilliant coming from me and then having him agree:)

And that is exactly how we are going to try and do it.

I'm still waiting on the polisher to call. Then I;ll get you the pictures of the Rx8 compressor. Or at least the parts unassembled. Assembly to follow the next day.

He promised me today, but then again he said that yesterday.

It's not my fault!!!!

Richard

You're just trying to make yourself "look" intellignt by saying that!!! ;) j/k

excellent that you are going to try doing it that way! thanks again richard for the update

Richard,

If you are looking for tuning on the ECU, I have heard rumors of some tuners in south florida that have been able to "crack the code" of the greddy e-manage on mazda's. The most recent car was a protege, I have been following this thread and was wondering if possibly this was a course possible for the ecu tuning. If I am wrong I am sure everyone will let me know.


- Tigster

Richard, I've every confidence that the supercharger will be 'the business', and I am anxiously awaiting your pics. I am still a little curious about your intent with regards to tweaking the factory ECU. Would you be prepared to share this??
Also, will this kit be available without the ECU management you have chosen / will develop if your chosen solution proves to be not an appropriate choice for a certain situation.

Thanks again.

P.S. - If all goes O.K. (and I'm sure it will) show me where to sign on the waiting list :D ...

And therein lies the rub.

And...
Have you decided on the routing of the supercharger and it's associated components (intercooler, DV, etc..)? I would kinda like to keep my stock covers if that is going to be an option.

Thanks again (again!) :) .

It's not a problem for a Motec!

I am so looking forward to this getting completed

A

I know this is a rather noobish question but is this sorta like a plug and play sortof instalation like u hook up a few pipes into the intake with the axial charger and a new piggy back unit can some 1 show me a pic of a car with it. thank you

no one can show you a pic of a car with one because he hasn't finished making the prototype yet.

First update in a month was on my birthday...its an omen I can feel it!

But seriously, thanks for the updates. Anxiously awaiting successful completion of yet another strategic assault on my wallet.

I'm having one hell of a day. If this posts then I'll be supprised. Then I'll go back to my own computer and send the photos

RICHARD

ooooo photos..