Underdrive pulley recommendations?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Topless

Sorry JFP, maybe I am just a little dim. I still don't get it.

That is quite obvious.

1. You still have mechanical drag, just at the alternator instead of the WP, plus inefficiencies of conversion.

Many electric pump applications (racing apps) do not use an alternator; but those that do definitely see a measurably reduced drag (seen on the dyno) compared to a mechanically driven unit. It is not a "wash"; it is a net gain...........hence their use on race cars.

2. A smart variable speed pump that measures coolant temp and maximizes heat transfer at all rpms would definitely be useful. A real plus if there is such a thing. I have just never seen one this sophisticated.

You have not for a reason, they currently do not exist. Attempts to do this, even with digital electronics, proved to be overly complicated, not dependable, and added weight. Running the pump at a fixed speed electrically offers simplicity, better cooling, lower weight and free power without all the complications.

3. We already have a belt and pulleys on our cars, no space savings.

Electrically driven pumps are definitely smaller and lighter than their belt driven counterparts.........

4. Works if the belt fails, not if the circuit fails. Seems like a wash.

And if the car gets hit by a meteorite, or is swamped by molten lava, it doesn't work eithereither................

[al83s]

AC compressors have a clutch, thus when the AC is off - the electric clutch is disengaged and the compressor pulley is spining free (not much drag there). Removing AC all together will save you weight, but wont give you any power gain.
Installing an underdrive pulley will slow down the AC compressor as well thus it will have less drag when the AC is on (similar to Honda guys installing smaller compressors on Accords I guess)
Just my 2 cents

[Topless]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

That is quite obvious.

1. You still have mechanical drag, just at the alternator instead of the WP, plus inefficiencies of conversion.

Many electric pump applications (racing apps) do not use an alternator; but those that do definitely see a measurably reduced drag (seen on the dyno) compared to a mechanically driven unit. It is not a "wash"; it is a net gain...........hence their use on race cars.

2. A smart variable speed pump that measures coolant temp and maximizes heat transfer at all rpms would definitely be useful. A real plus if there is such a thing. I have just never seen one this sophisticated.

You have not for a reason, they currently do not exist. Attempts to do this, even with digital electronics, proved to be overly complicated, not dependable, and added weight. Running the pump at a fixed speed electrically offers simplicity, better cooling, lower weight and free power without all the complications.

3. We already have a belt and pulleys on our cars, no space savings.

Electrically driven pumps are definitely smaller and lighter than their belt driven counterparts.........

4. Works if the belt fails, not if the circuit fails. Seems like a wash.

And if the car gets hit by a meteorite, or is swamped by molten lava, it doesn't work eithereither................

So in conclusion, if we have a specialty race car with no belts or pulleys, no alternator, and electrical circuits that are far more reliable than Porsche circuits, a constant speed elect. pump would be a good idea. Boxster not so much, go with the underdrive pulley instead. Ok I understand now. Thanks for your help. Diplomatic as always JFP.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Topless

So in conclusion, if we have a specialty race car with no belts or pulleys, no alternator, and electrical circuits that are far more reliable than Porsche circuits, a constant speed elect. pump would be a good idea. Boxster not so much, go with the underdrive pulley instead. Ok I understand now. Thanks for your help. Diplomatic as always JFP.

Not quite: If an electrically driven, constant speed water pump was available, which it currently not the case, the M96 in your street-driven Boxster would run cooler, as would the oil; would make more power and probably (all other things being equal) live longer. But only if you understand why………………

But have a nice day anyway........................:ah:

[Jake Raby]

I have evaluated the 4" pulley with both A/C and without.. The gains are real, not to mention reduced coolant temps and dramatically reduced power steering temps while on the track.

[stephen wilson]

Actually, there is at least one aftermarket electric water pump with an electronic controller that varies pump speed to control engine temperature, manufactured by Craig Davies.

I don't think any automotive manufacturer would lack the resources to design such a system. They manage to map fuel injection & ignition timing using dozens of sensors, over all possible operating conditions, while controlling emissions. Controlling a water pumps speed would be a piece of cake.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

Actually, there is at least one aftermarket electric water pump with an electronic controller that varies pump speed to control engine temperature, manufactured by Craig Davies.

I don't think any automotive manufacturer would lack the resources to design such a system. They manage to map fuel injection & ignition timing using dozens of sensors, over all possible operating conditions, while controlling emissions. Controlling a water pumps speed would be a piece of cake.

We purchased one of these last year.. Problem is there is no way to efficiently route the water to/from the engine due to the OE water pump location.. There also isn't any place worth a damn to mount the electric unit.

The engine's design is the variable...

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I don't think any automotive manufacturer would lack the resources to design such a system. They manage to map fuel injection & ignition timing using dozens of sensors, over all possible operating conditions, while controlling emissions. Controlling a water pumps speed would be a piece of cake.

The only problem is that a better system would cost the OEM five cents more than the one they gave you....................and there is no "sex appeal" in cooling systems.

[stephen wilson]

Yes, the Boxster's tight packaging is problematic, which of course an OEM could solve, but as JFP mentioned, they have no real incentive to do so.