Surely you remember when a few months ago we told you about the smallest miniature V8 in the world. A tiny V8 with only 28 cubic centimeters of displacement, capable of spinning at 11,000 rpm, and developing a power of about 4 CV. An engine created by a company called Toyan Engines, with the aim of being mounted on radio controlled vehicles. We talked to you at length about that engine and we showed you some of its modifications. Now, a radio control fan shows us the supercharger kit that Toyan just released.
It’s about a volumetric compressor, manufactured by the creators of the engine themselves. It is a very compact unit and inside it has the two endless screws that characterize any compressor of this type. The compressor is connected to the engine by means of a belt system, and it has been necessary to adapt some parts – the casing of the water pump, mainly – to be able to mount it properly. The end result is one hell of a thing: the compressor is fully functional and sounds the way it’s meant to.
It can’t be easy to tune the engine’s tiny, grape-sized carburettors.
The classic high-pitched whine of the compressor is perfectly replicated and is present on the soundtrack throughout. Besides, compressor intake air intakes move in unison, as if it were a dragster engine designed for acceleration competitions. However, the engine does not run as well as it should. The timing of the two carburettors does not change, and at full power and high revs the engine tends to stall. It clearly needs a different set-up.
As the fan JohnnyQ90, installer of the compressor, also rightly points out, the strap system is not efficient: the compressor should only be connected to the crankshaft with a dedicated pulley. However, this compressor is connected to the timing belt, which also drives the water pump. He claims the engine runs better without a supercharger, but also acknowledges that in its current configuration, the supercharged engine is much more exciting and sounds like it should.
