FRS lack of horsepower

[Shady195]

I just can't get behind the idea of an electric supercharger.. Making good power or not It just seems silly to not spend ~1500 more and just go FI.

[VuDism]

Originally Posted by Shady195

I just can't get behind the idea of an electric supercharger.. Making good power or not It just seems silly to not spend ~1500 more and just go FI.

I'd assume the ES is more reliable?

[toyotaAlex]

Electric supercharger =/= FI??????????????????

That's a new one.

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by toyotaAlex

Electric supercharger =/= FI??????????????????

That's a new one.

Something you don't understand about "forced induction"?

Originally Posted by Shady195

I just can't get behind the idea of an electric supercharger.. Making good power or not It just seems silly to not spend ~1500 more and just go FI.

It's simple, easy to install even for a thumb-fingered halfwit like me, is very low on risk, and can be removed as quickly as it goes on. And it works.

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by Ubersuber

These cars are ahead of their time in that you can learn how to really drive in one, then fit better tires and really enjoy maxing it out nearly every time you drive it without getting arrested, and you will never, ever get bored with the way this car drives no matter how good you think you are as a driver. It will always be capable of entertaining you, it is just that good. No, it is not underpowered, it just needs to be truly thrashed to make it go quickly, how can anyone who really likes driving see that as a fault????

Disagree on two things. It's not ahead of it's time, it's a throwback to the 60's and 70's. And it does not need to be thrashed to go quickly, at least on curvy fun bits on the street at, uh, reasonable velocity. It's like a small two-fiddy motorcycle. Always outgunned, but when ridden by someone who has a clue how to use the thing can show a lot of people it's ass. Especially the ones who floor it to the next corner and then have no idea how to go around the thing. Entertaining, when the car in front costs three times or more than mine and you can see them wondering why they can't get away. ETA: I've driven three other (Subaru, two Toyotas) cars since I've had my FR-S. One of them was more powerful. However, EVERYTHING about them sucked. The way they felt, sounded, handled. I could not believe how dead they felt. The FR-S/BRZ are awesome, and we are lucky to have them. I get laughed at when I say it, but it says more about the laughers; the car is a little taste (first hit is free) of supercar.

[WNDSRFR]

Originally Posted by Shady195

I just can't get behind the idea of an electric supercharger.. Making good power or not It just seems silly to not spend ~1500 more and just go FI.

If you tried it you would buy it. Guaranteed.
Only thing is you would have to get on a long waiting list.

[WNDSRFR]

Originally Posted by toyotaAlex

Electric supercharger =/= FI??????????????????

That's a new one.

You can try it. Just go by Rob's shop. It's just down the street.

[rick s]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Counter question before people pile on:

Why did you buy a car you thought was underpowered? This should not have been a surprise to you. There are many alternatives that deliver more 'performance' for your money.

Nothing like beating a dead horse
How many times do we need to hear about people that bought the GD car and then turn around a complain that there isn't enough power
If you still bought it after the test drive and "all" of your research then maybe you got what you deserve, I doubt you will find any sympathy from the seasoned members on this forum.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by Shady195

I just can't get behind the idea of an electric supercharger.. Making good power or not It just seems silly to not spend ~1500 more and just go FI.

After seeing a properly installed (?) electric s/c participating in a local track day in another run goup, I tend to agree.

The system I saw required two 12V batteries wired in series (heavy, and I didn't have time to figure out the 24V wiring and charging circuit), could only run until the batteries depleted but before that happened an intake air overtemp protection circuit reduced engine output by putting the car into limp home mode after 10-15 minutes.

It would be effective for ¼ mile drags with adequate recharge and cool down between runs, but not so much for track or daily driving.

[Shady195]

Originally Posted by WNDSRFR

If you tried it you would buy it. Guaranteed.
Only thing is you would have to get on a long waiting list.

I wouldn't

I'm not arguing their are gains associated with it, or that it seems to be somewhat lower risk/simpler install however it offers no real expandability and I don't like the idea of it being limited with its power to a batteries charge. From the looks of it it drains and charges back up quite quickly, however its just not something I would want.

Basically its the equivalent to nitrous without having to fill a bottle. Not that I think there is anything wrong with nitrous.

[Chad86]

Originally Posted by torqdork

After seeing a properly installed (?) electric s/c participating in a local track day in another run goup, I tend to agree.

The system I saw required two 12V batteries wired in series (heavy, and I didn't have time to figure out the 24V wiring and charging circuit), could only run until the batteries depleted but before that happened an intake air overtemp protection circuit reduced engine output by putting the car into limp home mode after 10-15 minutes.

It would be effective for ¼ mile drags with adequate recharge and cool down between runs, but not so much for track or daily driving.

After watching videos, it seems the ESC acts too similar to the how turbo boost works. Not ideal for constant power and daily driving. I will continue to wait on more news from HKS and Evasive Motorsports on the new HKS V2 Supercharger kit.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67297

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Chad86

After watching videos, it seems the ESC acts too similar to the how turbo boost works. Not ideal for constant power and daily driving. I will continue to wait on more news from HKS and Evasive Motorsports on the new HKS V2 Supercharger kit.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67297

What I'm surprised no one has tried yet... is using a turbine to spin a small generator at high speeds or with a reduction gear at lower speeds to generate electricity feeding into some capacitors to turn the electric compressor. It can be used with a control circuit that can give you the best of both worlds. Instantaneous boost when desired and controlled boost for regular driving.

A speed control would allow for really high torque at relatively low rpms and higher boost for more power at WOT or close to WOT. Setup progressively and electronically controlled for whatever the desired outcome.

Jaden

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by Jaden

What I'm surprised no one has tried yet... is using a turbine to spin a small generator at high speeds or with a reduction gear at lower speeds to generate electricity feeding into some capacitors to turn the electric compressor. It can be used with a control circuit that can give you the best of both worlds. Instantaneous boost when desired and controlled boost for regular driving.

A speed control would allow for really high torque at relatively low rpms and higher boost for more power at WOT or close to WOT. Setup progressively and electronically controlled for whatever the desired outcome.

Jaden

Toyota has a similar system that's fed by wheel mounted motor/generator sets that charge capacitors, add power and provide some braking depending on demand.

It's been shown on the Yaris Hybrid-R 400bhp concept. It's rumored to become the power unit in the FT-1.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/t...how-2013-08-19

[Ubersuber]

Originally Posted by Tromatic

Disagree on two things. It's not ahead of it's time, it's a throwback to the 60's and 70's. And it does not need to be thrashed to go quickly, at least on curvy fun bits on the street at, uh, reasonable velocity. It's like a small two-fiddy motorcycle. Always outgunned, but when ridden by someone who has a clue how to use the thing can show a lot of people it's ass. Especially the ones who floor it to the next corner and then have no idea how to go around the thing. Entertaining, when the car in front costs three times or more than mine and you can see them wondering why they can't get away. ETA: I've driven three other (Subaru, two Toyotas) cars since I've had my FR-S. One of them was more powerful. However, EVERYTHING about them sucked. The way they felt, sounded, handled. I could not believe how dead they felt. The FR-S/BRZ are awesome, and we are lucky to have them. I get laughed at when I say it, but it says more about the laughers; the car is a little taste (first hit is free) of supercar.

You're kidding aren't you? Did you actually drive one of those awful 60's and 70's British sportscars? Even an 80's Alfa Romeo 2.5 litre V6 was way slower than this car. It's ahead of its time in that it takes us back to the thrills of low powered motoring but with modern updated comfort, reliability and performance. You watch, everyone will be building performance cars with less power, less weight and good handling pretty soon.