REAL or NOT? The BLOWER question.

Post by **March Hare** » Mon Jul 07, 2003 11:56 pm

You guys might be tired of the discussions about the blower on the Falcon XB GT Interceptor but I just NOW found this sight and would like to get it straight for MY sanity.

According to some sources ( that shall remain nameless ) the actual engine in the XB GT for the movie was a Big Block 455 Pontiac built by Phase Four Machine out of Westfield, New Jersey ( U.S.A. ). This SAME source also claims that the blower was operational with the use of an Electro-Magnetic clutch on the crankshaft AND that the blower was a 8-71 style LITTLEFIELD case with a WEIAND front plate.Source claims that the blower had TWO ( 2 ) seperate air-induction systems ( Blower On / Blower Off )

This seems to run concurrent with some info that I read in an early 1980's issue of HOT ROD magazine that stated the blower set-up was operational and added to the engine by a company named CAMDEN SUPERCHARGERS ( also in NEW JERSEY ).

Lots of other web sites claim the blower was faux and the film footage showing MAX switching it on were done by starting the engine and turning it off. Who is right?

" Better send a meat truck for Charlie, He's copped a swordsman in the throat "

Post by **squeezer** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:08 am

March Hare,

sadly the Myths and Facts link on this site states the Phase Four Machine story is a fable. While you could hide things in an 8-71 case the history of the car as documented on this site by Peter and Contributors does seem to preclude the Big Block 455 story having any Truth to it. It all makes interesting reading though, eh?

The ON/OFF Blower scenario generates some good reading in and of itself. The arguments can get technical and long winded. There are two camps really. Those who want it to be true and those firmly state it could not and cannot be made to work. So far.... no one has either shared schematics or actually gone out and built a working setup. But that may change in the future. You never know with all the clever people keeping the story alive.

Post by **March Hare** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:25 am

Squeezer, Sounds like you've read the same text. The Falcon XB Interceptor page.The reason for the inquiery is so I know which camp to join. ( heh-heh ). The photos of the engine compartment of the pre-restoration movie XB GT ( when it was discovered in the Aussie bone yard ) show what looks like a NON-WEIAND blower suspended ABOVE the motor.

The photos of the car at the " Cars of the Stars" museum ALSO shows what looks like a different blower than what was in the movies.

" Better send a meat truck for Charlie, He's copped a swordsman in the throat "

Post by **Foxtrot X-Ray** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:38 am

My question on this would be, Where would a movie production with such a low budget that they could not afford proper costumes for the entire cast (Vinyl MFP Uniforms?)get the money to have a custom machined supercharger system built?

I mean, that setup would have cost literally Millions to design & build.

I don't think the entire budget would have covered that.

Phase IV Machine, IF they ever existed, Lied.

Post by **squeezer** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:48 am

March Hare,

I honestly don't believe, based on all the available information on the web, that the actual Movie Car ever had anything other than a Blower Case suspended above the intake manifold and partly covering the stock carburetor. While I am not opposed to the idea of the concept of an ON/OFF Blower setup using a 351 Cleavland with a 6-71 case and Scott Slot there are some thorny technical issues which would have to be worked out to make it work.

In reality I'm of the 3rd Camp. I believe it can be done but should be based on creative use of 1970's technology. And if someone does get it to work they can submit their application to the FORD Engine Design Team and make a lot of money selling the rest of their technical diagrams and specs so we all can build our own.

Not only that but it would make a nasty surprise for anyone who thought all BoB's are fake, "All Show - No Go!", tough guy cars. The BoB is an awesome concept and deserves it's repuation on and off screen.

Post by **squeezer** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:51 am

Foxtrot X-Ray.

Your point is similair to my earlier one. The person who actually got this setup to work would have been able to sell it. And the film crew for Mad Max never would have spent that much money when a fake setup and some sound editing worked well enough for making the movie.

Post by **March Hare** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 1:23 am

Myself being an engine machinist makes me wonder how much of a absolute GUTLESS PIG the XB would have been if the ON-DEMAND blower was real. In order to use such forced induction on a gasoline V-8 requires a drastically reduced compression ratio ( say 7.5-8:1 ) so it will run correctly when aspiriated. Seems like runnig that kind of low CR without the blower would reduce any motor's BHP.

It also may be possible that the increased revenue available after the first movie could have financed this type of set-up for the 2nd movie.

I wanna believe

" Better send a meat truck for Charlie, He's copped a swordsman in the throat "

Post by **squeezer** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 1:58 am

March Hare,

You've got it bad. I agree the compromises required to make a mixed setup are formidible. And there would be trade-offs. Still, like you, I believe the idea has merit. In terms of the story; the reduced bhp mode would, to my mind, have been a fuel economy mode. The only rating that matters during pursuit or flight is the Blown bhp. "600 Horse Power, through the roof!". Depending on what Boost you run you could take a 351 a lot higher than that. But the motor wouldn't live long in the wild.

Post by **camchain** » Tue Jul 08, 2003 12:24 pm

Well the on/ off option does work on some cars, Toyota had such a setup (allbeith computer controlled) on some of their Mk1 MR2s. I have to agree with March hare, to allow the maximum amount of benifit from the blower, the compression ratio would need dropping conciderably and it would cause all sorts of performance issues.

Post by **Foxtrot X-Ray** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 12:27 am

A quick note on the "Gutless Pig" comment.

The static compression ratio of a supercharged engine CAN be higher than 7.8-8:1.

It depends entirely on the fuel and the boost pressure. An intercooler can help out a great deal as well.

I know of one car here local, that runs a 9:1 comp Small Block Chevy with a 6/71 blower.

He spent a lot of time tuning the boost to match the static compression ratio and the 91 octaine pump gas that's available around here.

On the Interceptor, Performance issues would be.. well.. Not issues.

600 HP through the wheels with the blower engaged, and say.. 200 with it off.

Millions of cars go through their entire lives with THAT much horsepower hitting the ground.

More than enough for sedate every-day driving.