Along the lines of the current turbo thread thats running, (Twin SU's), would there be any advantage to running a small blower(toyota, etc), for cost and ease of set up. I know they aren't as effecient, requiring more power to drive them. But it would be pretty cool, and you cant beat the sound of a blower drive. Unless you mounted it side ways, I'm thinking a bonnet protrusion would be unavoidable. Thoughts, comments???
Cheers

It's been done plenty of times. But I guess it's made harder because the A-series is not a crossflow head or "V4, V6, V8, V10, V12, V16" configuration.

So with an A-series, you always have the hot exhaust heating things up.

It's a difficult (and maybe expensive) project to undertake, if all you are looking for is the gilmer belt drive noises.

We've got more than 2 people here with blown A-series, and they are very happy with the results.

It certainly can be fit under the bonnet.

The heat shouldn't be to much of an issue, theres allways thermo tape and other exhaust lagging that's pretty efficient.
I've seen blower set-ups on pre cross flow engines that have all the hardware on the opposite side of the engine, with a pipe running over into a standard inlet manifold. Not my personnal choice, a few negatives to that sort of set up, but still plenty of power.Water/methonol injection is a cheap and relatively easy option to cool the charge.

I've also seen blowers that work with an A/C compressor pulley, Mad Max style at the flick of a switch. Not what I'm after either, but still pretty cool.

I have a few bonnets lying around, I might cut a hole in one and paint it at the same time the ute gets done. The under bonnet sleeper thing is cool, but I'm a fan of a tasteful bonnet scoop or Carb/airfilter sticking out. (must be the bogan comming out in me)

I know the A12 wouldn't be everyones choice as a base, but I've got one spare thats consumable. Its all a learning thing. And a very fun way of learning at that!!

'switching' a compressor on and off like mad max style would burn a magnetic clutch out in about ... oh, i dunno ... 5 seconds! seriously though, it can me done, but not magnetically like an A/C compressor.

the SC12/14 chargers use this magnetic clutch to disengage the s/c at idle via a small throttle position switch - it also comes on as soon as the throttle is touched and the switch deactivated, so it's not having to speed up the rotors at 4000rpm or whatever you decide to switch it on at.

i've seen people try to switch these cahragers on, only to be left with a funny smeel and a dead s/c clutch when they pop the bonnet.

Like i've allways said, I'm no expert, but I'm sure the supercharger kits that CRS put together work using an electrically actuated clutch(magnetic). Obviously you wouldn't turn it on in the middle of a drag race when you decide you need a little more power!
Is the SC12/14 a good charger to be looking at? I'm after all the suggestions I can get.
Cheers

CRS
I am pretty sure many of the toyota blowers come original with the electromagnetic clutch just like an AC compressor.

Thanks for the support Phunk, I was almost starting to doubt myself!! I fix diesels (big) on ships, but my Bro is an auto elec, I didn't think he would be telling me porkys!

Has anyone got any good contacts that could lead to a reasonably priced blower (once the type is decided)? NSW/ACT area prefered.
There was a spare Turbo laying around on the last boat I was on, but it had an outside diameter of about 30", which could lead to a few complications. The smallest blower we had was an 8/71, still a bit of an over kill for a 1200.

Ive got a supercharged a14, in a 1200 sedan. you should definately do it . It's not a small undertaking, but the pay off is worth it.

Puck there are a few members on here with various supercharged A series, so you should be able to find out which blower is best etc.
There are also a few members undertaking this setup at the moment. From memory there are even a few either built or being built in the Canberra area.

A couple of years back a mate of mine supercharged a G200 isuzu in a Gemini ,used a supercharger he got from the import wreckers ( off a Toyota from memory )and used an SU carb ,To make it fit under the bonnet better he fabricated a small manifold from the top of the s/charger so the carb would lay across the top of the engine,worked a treat .As for clutches and such the supercharger worked like this ,,,It would only make boost when you put your foot down ,but when you drove the car normally,, in traffic and when on the highway the car only made vacuum .It depends on the size of pulley ,he got 3 different sizes made but the one he used most often made 8 psi when you gave it to it and made vacuum when you weren't .