Educate me please about electric turbochargers.

[Lefty]

I just watched a rather interesting video about electric turbochargers. Have any of you tried one? Is there any particular unit which would bolt onto a 3.0 V6? Would I need to make changes to the engine? And, as always, thank you in advance.

 

[JoshT]

I'd like to chime in, but first.. What electric trubo are you referring to? There are a few different developments going on with this technology, and knowing which would allow for a better response.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, some are a little more legit than others. Some are straight snake oil. I’m afraid you need to be more specific for an appropriate response.

 

[Lefty]

I'd like to chime in, but first.. What electric trubo are you referring to? There are a few different developments going on with this technology, and knowing which would allow for a better response.

Well, I know nothing about them at all.

 

[Lefty]

Yeah, some are a little more legit than others. Some are straight snake oil. I’m afraid you need to be more specific for an appropriate response.

I wouldn't even know which brand or which type to buy. I was hoping maybe someone here has tried it already.

 

[JoshT]

Well the, how about a link to the video?

 

[Lefty]

Well the, how about a link to the video?

There's lots of different videos. I'm at sea.

 

[bobbywalter]

cleetus did one on a cruze or cobalt or something....it was a 2200 dollar unit and worked ok. i think it was one of the torq-amps



garret motion is a thing.

Award-Winning E-Turbo Technology

The growing trends toward hybridization opens up possibilities to transfer electric boosting technology from racetrack to road. Garrett is pioneering

www.garrettmotion.com

 

[bobbywalter]

https://gfb.com.au/tech/tech-articles/electric-turbos-fact-or-fiction-2/

 

[Lefty]

cleetus did one on a cruze or cobalt or something....it was a 2200 dollar unit and worked ok. i think it was one of the torq-amps



garret motion is a thing.

Award-Winning E-Turbo Technology

The growing trends toward hybridization opens up possibilities to transfer electric boosting technology from racetrack to road. Garrett is pioneering

www.garrettmotion.com

Thanks. I will look into it

 

[stmitch]

Is there any particular unit which would bolt onto a 3.0 V6?

Nothing "off the shelf" that will bolt on. It will require some customization from you. A way to mount it, piping, wiring, etc would need to be done.

Would I need to make changes to the engine?

From your engine's perspective boost is boost. Doesn't matter if it's provided by a belt driven supercharger, exhaust driven turbo, or electrically powered turbine. The more pressure/air you add, the more modification will be needed. The bare minimum for any meaningful amount of boost will be more fuel (injectors and perhaps a fuel pump upgrade) and software updates (a custom OBD flash tune for your PCM).

At some point, engine internal parts and/or fasteners need to be upgraded to withstand the additional force from the increased air pressure, but you're unlikely to need that on a 3.0 until you're over 15psi.

 

[pentode]

All I would add to what @stmitch said is that given all the custom work you'll have to do to plumb in any kind of boost, you might want to think about just doing it the old fashioned way. Most "electric turbos" are just snake oil as @lil_Blue_Ford mentioned - the physics and power required to make boost are pretty serious. The rare legit electric turbo is going to be cutting edge technology and very expensive, and I would argue unproven.
I seem to recall seeing a bolt on supercharger for the 3.0. However, as long as you're doing custom plumbing, I doubt you could make cheaper boost than a (conventional) turbo setup. There's a turbo for just about any budget.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

All I would add to what @stmitch said is that given all the custom work you'll have to do to plumb in any kind of boost, you might want to think about just doing it the old fashioned way. Most "electric turbos" are just snake oil as @lil_Blue_Ford mentioned - the physics and power required to make boost are pretty serious. The rare legit electric turbo is going to be cutting edge technology and very expensive, and I would argue unproven.
I seem to recall seeing a bolt on supercharger for the 3.0. However, as long as you're doing custom plumbing, I doubt you could make cheaper boost than a (conventional) turbo setup. There's a turbo for just about any budget.

IIRC it was Whipple that made the supercharger kit.

 

[Curious Hound]

IIRC it was Whipple that made the supercharger kit.

Yeah. They’re the ones that made it for the 3.0l. Seems to be more rare than the Shiftster.

 

[19Walt93]

If it's a turbo charger it's driven by exhaust flow. I suppose a super charger could be electric but that would be more complicated and trouble prone than a belt driven unit.