Max HorsePower

[DodgyDave]

Just wondering about supercharging old engines with V-belts.
Whenever I see chargers they always have big belts which made me wonder what the
maximum power output is for a charger using a V belt?

Thanks in advance

[Boosted Ls1]

This depends on the type of charger being used.

Boosted.

[DodgyDave]

Boosted Ls1 said:

This depends on the type of charger being used. Boosted.

haha, thanks for following me Boosted.
Lets say the centrifugal ones, rotrex or vortex.

[stevieturbo]

And more importantly, how much power you intend making !!! and boost ??

The more you make, the harder the blower is to drive, so belts will be under more load

[MartinD]

DodgyDave said:

...........................................................what the maximum power output is for a charger using a V belt?

I know of a 5.0ltr V8 that puts out 625bhp using a Vortec (12psi/0.75bar) , I'm sure there are others out there producing much more, 800+ maybe ?

[DodgyDave]

It was a hypothetical question really.
Just wanted to know that if you had a
charger already on your car using v-belts and wanted more power,
where would be the limit be which would require you to upgrade to a better belt?
Sorry I cant be more specific and thanks for the replys

[stevieturbo]

MartinD said:

DodgyDave said: ...........................................................what the maximum power output is for a charger using a V belt? I know of a 5.0ltr V8 that puts out 625bhp using a Vortec (12psi/0.75bar) , I'm sure there are others out there producing much more, 800+ maybe ?

Are we referring to a standard V-section belt as found on cars for many years, or a modern multi-ribbed Poly-V belt ??

I dont think Ive seen a blower application using a typical old single V-belt

With a multi-ribbed belt, huge power levels are possible due to extra grip available.

[Boosted Ls1]

When you buy a rotrex I think you can choose from a multi ribbed belt or an old style 'V' belt. Need to double check though.

Boosted.

[stevieturbo]

Old V-style will ahve nowhere near the same load capacity as a poly-vee belt, although I think the Rotrex's are easier driven than some blowers.

[chuntington101]

i would go for a poly belt. some of the V8 guys in the states are running 600bhp. the superchargers (normaly Prochargers or Vortech, but Paxton is on its way back) normally requier 45+bhp to drive them! also they have a lot of belt slip isuse with the stock 6rib belts, even with modded higher wrap pullies! most go for 8 or even 12rib pollies!

thanks Chris.

[stevieturbo]

A properly designed 6 rib can handle around 600 with no slip.
8 rib more, and 10 rib etc etc.

So much depends on the pulley system and how much belt wrap you can get, and then the blower itself.

I know of a couple of 8-rib cars making well in excess of 800bhp at the crank..


I'm upgrading to 12rib from 10, just for good measure. My belt wrap situation isnt that great though.