Judson SP Superchargers

[mynameisrodney]

Hey guys,

just wondering if anyone on here has had any experience with a judson SP supercharger? a family friend is looking at using one and is having problems finding anybody useful in Australia to help him out.

much appreciated.
chris

[rms]

From past experience I can advise your friend to sell it to an antique shop !

They are an ecentric vane type supercharger and MUST have a micro-mist oiler on the intake side to lubricate the vanes.

In the 1960's I ran one on an 830cc BMC engined hill climb car. Tried upping the boost from 5psi to 10psi. "V" belt drive then slipped. Aha - fit chain drive - won't slip. Bang !!! blower case split when vane broke. OK - buy another case, make sure there is more lubrication for the vanes - Bang ! again. "I am going to make this work" - fit 3rd case. Bang ! again !!

Was going broke faster than the car was going. Went N/A with big valves, cam and 2 SU carbys.
Car was MUCH faster !!!!

On a 1200 VW with original blower drive ratio they are OK for street use. VW won't rev past 5000rpm anyway.
On a more modern, higher rpm engine you will have the same problems I had.

End of Lecture

[mynameisrodney]

its for a 1959 austin healey sprite 950cc so no issues with engine being modern haha. i will pass on the concerns though. thanks

[rms]

Gee, I wanted a bugeye back then !
Trouble was I could not afford a bugeye and a hill climb car, so I had to settle for a clapped out FJ Holden.

Would be OK on a restoration project and treated with a bit of respect. Just make sure the micro mist oiler never runs dry.
The Judson kit turned the Sprite into a potent bit of kit in it's day.
There were more Sprites at race meetings than any other make, both on the track and in the car parks !

The Shorrock (spelling ?) was also a vane type supercharger but much more reliable They had a cage that supported the outer part of the vanes and the vanes did not touch the housing.