rj Posted August 28, 2020 Share Posted August 28, 2020 I think it's the unpredictability / non linearity of the power delivery. The tendency for the power to surge as the turbo spins up without direct input from the driver. A normally aspirated engine, even a big one like an R500, gives you what you ask for immediately. And if you want a bit more you then ask for a bit more. Put your foot down in a turbo and you get something, then it keeps building, often quite suddenly. Mid way through a bend on the limit in something light weight a big surprise present from the turbocharger could spell trouble.Exactly what I think. I had someone chasing me to help him registering a Cateham with an YB engine here in Denmark. I refused and demonstrated to him what happens with my own 200BHP car when it comes "on cam" in a corner in 2nd and full welly: It spins. You can handle the car when you know exactly when it happens, if you don't, you can't. If I was to charge a Caterham in any way it'd be with a Rotrex supercharger. But remember that only the half dead needs a respirator... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elie boone Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 it all depends on the size of the turbo and the boost used, i drove a 1.4 K series turbo and it was very linear but i have to say it didn't made huge horsepower ( my guess was about 160 bhp ) In the wrong hands any Caterham could be lethal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21jigsaw Posted August 29, 2020 Share Posted August 29, 2020 I looked at pressure charging the 21 race car last year. Packaging, heat management, and weight were the major issues. Whether a turbo or charger you will need to intercool . The main advantage with pressure charging was the area under the curve - torque which would provide more grunt down the straight bits with a loss of drivability through the corners, good when running in a power to weight class. You will need to Apollo or dry sump the engine to gain oil capacity / cooling. 15kgs + to the front axle and look at the final drive ratio in relation to the power characteristics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.mole1 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 I think there is a Rotrex kit available for the K series as fitted to the Elise. You would need to to some re- engineering of the pulley work and brackets to fit in a 7. I briefly looked at a kit to fit my 1.4 K series wet liner engine, these engines are very strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 I can find out if there is one as I happen to meet the inventor of the Rotrex supercharger on trackdays. I could give him a buzz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Could you sort a bulk buy with him to please....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_h Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Turbo technics used to do one for the k series in Elise. The rotrex site only lists Komo-tec as selling them now though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 #31 I wouldn't be surprised How many are we talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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