Re: New type turbo in SCC

[tm2@earthlink.net]

> William.Elliott@mail.mei.com wrote:
> >
> > <<BTW, it seems that devices like these appear (and then subsequently
> > disappear!) every few years ... I remember seeing ads offering an
> > electrically
> > powered "turbocharger" when I was in high school and that was 20 years
> > ago.>>
> >
> > I once had an incomplete "Turbonique" to study.  This thing was designed to
> >  blow-thru
> > (pressurize) a 4bbl carb and appeared to be circa mid-60's.
> >
> > What made it interesting was that it had a spark plug and a fuel intake set
> >  into what
> > appeared to be a small cast iron combustion chamber... all similar to a
> > gasoline heater
> > (for you VW and Corvair guys out there).
> >
> > It appeared that the intent was for the escaping combustion pressure to
> > turn a turbo-like
> > turbine/compressor assembly allowing the user to engage/disengage the
> > blower...
> > unlike any of the other systems of the day which ran continously.
> >
> > Very strange.  Never seen or heard of one since.
> >
> > Bill Elliott
> > Lake Mills, WI
> 
> Bill
> 
The Turbonigue device you are talking about was a turbocharger that fit
on your carb.  The one that you had was the liquid fuel version.  They
 also had one that used a solid fuel cartridge that lasted about 5 to 10
 seconds.  They also had one that fit on the 3rd member.  This one used
 liquid fuel and had a funnel exhaust for the jet .  You are right, it
 came out in about 65.  In fact I wrote an essay on bolting a Turbonique
 on my 57 T-Bird when I was in college in 70.  I used to have a catalog
 on Turbonique products when I was in Highschool but threw it away.
 Still have a picture of one in a old hotrod mag.  I only saw them
 advertised for about 2 years and they were very exspensive.
 
 Pat Korach
 Kirkland, WA