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Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
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Just wanted to let you guys know that Sterling has started testing our twin blower system on one of their 557 Big Chief PSI engines. No full pulls yet, but I can tell you that the engine had 22 psi manifold pressure at just over 6000 RPM.
The intercooler dropped the air temperature from 290F down to 90F using 70F water. That's 90% efficiency at a very high lb/min of air flow. This temperature is before fuel and does not include the cooling effect from evaporation. Total pressure loss from the bypass box to the intake manifold was only 2 psi including the throttle bodies and the intercooler core. We are still sorting things out (injector sizing, belts and pulleys) but will have more numbers soon. Tom |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
I'm confused, is Sterling Performance testing this system, or are You testing it on a Sterling Motor.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
I believe its being tested at Sterling on one of their motors.
Great news Tom!!! Keep us posted! Kurt |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
so is the pic the engine being tested? i also got confused on the mention of the chief headed PSI engine.... but i get confused easily.... :drink:
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom Good luck and keep us posted :drink:
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
We are testing on Sterling's dyno using a Sterling engine. This was done to prevent any "confusion" about the HP being achieved. Also because their dyno is set up to datalog multiple temps, pressures and flowrates that I need to know.
The picture was taken after removal of the PSI blower; mocking up the twin blower installation. The mechanical fuel pump had to be relocated. Sterling's PSI engine is a known quantity, 1500-1550 HP all day long at a known boost level. The purpose of the test is to see if we can safely increase that HP with more boost, better intercooling and lower parasitic losses. |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Thanks for the clarification. Good luck and let us know the results. :D
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Is this why I'm still waiting for my motor freshening to be completed? :D
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Congrats!! I remember when this system was just a thought in your head!!
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Are we going to see this in the Bud Select boat soon? :D
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Originally Posted by tomcat
We are testing on Sterling's dyno using a Sterling engine. This was done to prevent any "confusion" about the HP being achieved. Also because their dyno is set up to datalog multiple temps, pressures and flowrates that I need to know.
The picture was taken after removal of the PSI blower; mocking up the twin blower installation. The mechanical fuel pump had to be relocated. Sterling's PSI engine is a known quantity, 1500-1550 HP all day long at a known boost level. The purpose of the test is to see if we can safely increase that HP with more boost, better intercooling and lower parasitic losses. Rob |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Hi Rob:
On the first runs the system made too much boost and the pulleys are now being changed. If we do a test at the same boost level I can tell you that the centrifugal will make more power because of lower parasitic loss. But a "same boost" test takes no advantage of the better intercooling that is possible with the centrifugal layout. The really interesting question is "If you can safely run a given boost level with a MAT of 190F after the intercooler, how much more boost can you safely run with 90F after the intercooler?" The challenge for the tuner is to find this new sweet spot. Tom |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom i have been waiting for this one looking forward to seeing the numbers keep us posted :D
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
If your doing a comparison with the same boost, I understand that the Hp would be more if there is less parasitic loss, but wouldn't there also be more hp if your intercooler is more efficient. ie isn't cooler air more dense?
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tomcat,
What kind of dynamometer set up do they have? |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Sounds great keep the info comming
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
42MTI: You are correct; thanks for pointing that out. Same boost at lower temp is better and would increase the observed HP advantage. Not like me to miss an opportunity to mention density ratio. :rolleyes:
I don't even know what their dyno setup is, just that it goes to 2000 HP. :D |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
What rpm do those motors turn? What is your pully ratio? What rpm are the blowers turning? 22PSI WOW!! I can't wait for the dyno curves and boost curve. Nice work.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
any updates?
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom, did you change your mind, or did you exceed the 2000hp.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Anyone hear anything.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
I haven't talked with Sterling since last Monday and I've been too busy to get over there anyway. I know they needed to get a different ECU to drive the bigger injectors so there may be a delay in testing.
Hi Marty: The first test was with pulleys that would spin the blowers at 63,000 on an engine redline of 7000 RPM (9:1 total step up). Hi Gary: The big crank pulley is off. We proved that we can make lots of boost and remove lots of heat. But Sterling is right; starting with lower boost and creeping up on the HP level is the way to go. |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
The dyno run with the smaller crank pulley was done yesterday. It made the same boost at 6800 RPM as the big pulley made at 6100 RPM. Blower speed was the same as before (55,000 RPM) but the engine made more HP due to the higher engine RPM. After two short sessions Sterling has met my HP objective for this combination. Detailed mapping of fuel and spark still to come.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
"Sterling has met my HP objective for this combination"
So that means? I would think a 10% improvement from 1500-1550HP to ?1650-1700HP? But then again you have 22lbs. boost at the top. Where's the sheets! We are all drooling. |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Sorry guys, I'm not trying to be dramatic, but I would like some more time on the dyno before making any announcements. We are proving the concept works on a known engine, which is great, but that doesn't mean this engine's cam, EFI mapping etc. (optimized for the PSI blower) are the best setup for us. There are other things to investigate too, like belt tension, idler position, bypass valve operation, etc.
Keep your pants on! :evilb: |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom, this is starting to look like a Whipple Thread.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
"we are proving that the concept works" that in layman's terms means to me we didnt make very much power?? or even close to what we thought we were going to make!! Am i right ??
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
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This is rumour control; here are the facts. :evilb:
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
1800+ hp!!!!!! :evilb: :eek: :drink: :D :evilb:
And the torque curve is incredible!!!!! Who's ready for some new technology for the LOTO shootout??? Conrats Tom! Kurt |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Thanks Kurt. We're not done yet, but it's a good start. The Vortech YSi blowers have more than enough capacity for this application and so does the intercooler. Thanks to Bob Endress and Mike Reagan of Vortech for their help. Many thanks to Mike and Jeff at Sterling for fitting us into their busy schedule.
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Originally Posted by tomcat
This is rumour control; here are the facts. :evilb:
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom, what do you think about the Big Chief heads? any idea what cam is in that motor?
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom,
Congratulations on the preliminary test results! To make those numbers early on in the development phase is quite an accomplishment. Continued success in this project. Bob |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Thanks Bob, we always want more but it's nice to start high. We have already had a request to detune this setup for wedge heads and less cam. That would make a nice poker run engine. I just happen to have the cam. :D
Gary: The Big Chief heads are mandatory for the big numbers. The trouble is most spread port heads are designed for drag racing NA and have very small chambers. I don't know what cam was in this engine, but by the look of the torque curve it isn't done yet. |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Originally Posted by fountain333
"we are proving that the concept works" that in layman's terms means to me we didnt make very much power?? or even close to what we thought we were going to make!! Am i right ??
Um.... nope! Congrats Tom. Those are great numbers to start with! |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Any idea what the Sterling/PSI HP and TQ and boost curves look like to compare?
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
thats some big hp, congrats, i wonder what they will do with more development and tuning time? 2000 isnt far off :eek:
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Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Originally Posted by tomcat
Thanks Bob, we always want more but it's nice to start high. We have already had a request to detune this setup for wedge heads and less cam. That would make a nice poker run engine. I just happen to have the cam. :D
Gary: The Big Chief heads are mandatory for the big numbers. The trouble is most spread port heads are designed for drag racing NA and have very small chambers. I don't know what cam was in this engine, but by the look of the torque curve it isn't done yet. |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Tom, those numbers are incredable, and you've only just begun. :D I have no doubt that you will achieve your goal. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep us posted.
Frank |
Re: Sterling is testing the Rtech Twin Blower now!
Originally Posted by tomcat
The intercooler dropped the air temperature from 290F down to 90F using 70F water. That's 90% efficiency at a very high lb/min of air flow. This temperature is before fuel and does not include the cooling effect from evaporation.
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