RE: TTS Twin-supercharged Audi R8: PH Blog

[SuperchargedVR6]

cib24 said:

Cool, but two centrifugal superchargers...why? Why not just a single twin-screw supercharger and mate up an intake manifold to feed both banks of cylinders? It would cost like 40% less and make instant low end power while still holding onto the top end.

I suspect it's a combination of it not being done before (in this country at least), so extra kudos points / attention for TTS, and power delivery.

From my own experience of Rotrex superchargers in a single unit application, they do f'ck all below a certain rpm threshold and then dump all of the boost in the world into the engine in one lump. So having 2 of them probably overcomes that to some extent. 560lbft just off idle (apparently) certainly seems to corroborate that theory.

I hate centrifugal blowers. I would much rather use a pair of turbos. Better torque curve, more character and no parasitic load. Although on that note, the Rotrex isn't like other C blowers were a running a certain boost pressure causes massive belt load/slip.....but running 2 of them off one pulley still isn't great, and what about the long term engine harmonics implications? The factory harmonic dampener was not designed to have 2 compressor gearboxes hanging off it.

Yipper said:

Supercharging and turboing sports cars in the aftermarket is much more common in the US. Seems to be some stigma attached to that kind of thing here.

That's because the parts are a lot cheaper, as is the fuel obviously. Anything made over there and shipped over to us ends up being the same in pounds as it is in dollars (quelle surprise), so getting on for twice the price for us. Plus shipping and duties on top.

Attitude has a lot to do with it as well. A lot of Brits just don't 'get it' and therefore dismiss it as pointless, a disaster waiting to happen, too much at the petrol pumps, too much to insure......any of the usual, lame, boring excuses you care to pick out of the hat.

[Mr GTR Steve]

Just wish I had the R35 and not the Cayman R there on Monday

[Matt Bird]

Toltec said:

Sadly that was my first reaction to the article too.

Apologies, my error! Removed for now, I'll clear up with Richard what is made and how and then edit the story.