| Can I install a smaller pulley for more boost? |
| HPS superchargers have been carefully engineered to deliver the best overall performance without sacrificing reliability and durability. Of course, a smaller pulley can be used to spin the supercharger faster for more boost, but this will not necessarily make more power. In many cases, in fact, we have seen more boost result in less power. The key is getting the right combination of components with the right calibration. It has always been in our best interest not to “leave anything on the table” – if there were an easy way to reliably increase the performance of our supercharger systems, we would have done it already. In addition, an HPS-supercharged vehicle equipped with a smaller supercharger pulley would no longer be emissions legal, and void the HPS warranty. |
Back to Top
|
| Can I use a different chip or tuner with a HPS supercharger system? |
| Your HPS supercharger system has been carefully engineered to provide maximum performance while remaining reliable and durable. Therefore, we do not recommend the use of any recalibration device that modifies fuel delivery or the spark tables other than that which is supplied with the supercharger system. There are two reasons: One is that changing the calibration would compromise the vehicle’s emissions, making it no longer legal. Another reason is that making such changes may cause severe engine damage. Use of a different recalibration device will void the HPS warranty. |
Back to Top
|
| Second party transactions and modify an HPS supercharger system?
|
| HPS is not a group of litigation-only-minded individuals. We stand behind our products and our workmanship. Please understand that it is very difficult for us to plan or account for the multiple variables and contingencies that can result in the sale and then resale and installation of used systems sold from one private party to another. As a result we do not warranty or support these type of transactions. Further, when an individual chooses to modify the system in some fashion, there is no way for us to guarantee or attest to the performance or long-term durability of the modified system. At HPS, we work very hard to produce a top-notch product that we will stand behind. But understand that what we stand behind is the system with the parts as we've designed them. Many months and years went into research and development, and our engineers went the extra mile to ensure proper fitting, performance, and durability. All components in our systems meet or exceed Mercedes-Benz's own high standards. Producing a great product isn't the only thing that drives us here at HPS. We believe that our job doesn't stop once a sale is concluded. All of us at HPS go the extra mile to answer any and all questions that our customers have post purchase. If necessary, we have even made on-site visits to our customers' homes and workplaces to resolve issues. We stress personalized attention, and that's not something we're going to change anytime soon. We simply have too much pride in what we do to conduct business in any other fashion.
|
Back to Top
|
| Will my engine ping when I add a supercharger? |
| HPS supercharger systems are engineered to provide sufficient fuel and spark calibration, so you should not have engine ping. In addition, your engine has an anti-knock device to retard the timing if any ping is detected. With all of this, should you hear your engine ping it is likely that something is wrong and you should not drive the vehicle hard until the problem is corrected. |
Back to Top
|
| I've heard roots superchargers are not efficient, how is the HPS system different? |
| Traditional roots blower design is old engineering, and admittedly is not very efficient, but engines designs from that era were not very efficient either. As engines have improved over the years so has roots supercharger design. The Magnuson, Inc./Eaton supercharger is a hybrid-roots blower pump, with substantial design improvements. The rotors have a unique involute lobe shape and are engineered to a specific L:D ratio. Each rotor has been twisted 60 degrees to form a helix. The two counter rotating rotors have three lobes, which intermesh during operation. These twisted rotors, along with specially designed inlet and outlet port geometry, seal timing, and axial air flow help to reduce pressure variations resulting in a smooth discharge of air and a low level of noise during operation. This arrangement significantly improves efficiency over traditional roots superchargers and reaches a volumetric efficiency near 98%. Magnuson Products, Inc. applications have an adiabatic efficiency that stays above the 50% mark over the full operating range of the engine, from 2000 to 6000 rpm. |
Back to Top
|
| What is the Roots supercharger design theory? |
| The Roots supercharger is a proven design used for many years by leading automobile manufacturers. The Eaton supercharger used by HPS is essentially a Roots supercharger with precision-matched airflow chambers. Each rotor has been twisted 60 degrees to form a helix. Each of the two counter-rotating rotors has three lobes, which intermesh during operation. These helical rotors, along with specially designed inlet and discharge ports and ductwork, help to reduce pressure variations – resulting in a smooth discharge of air and a low noise level during operation. The port and duct arrangement improves efficiency over traditional Roots superchargers. With helical rotors and an axial inlet, the supercharger can be spun to up to 14,000 RPM, thereby reducing package size versus a slower-RPM system. Our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with the retained factory components and present a clean OEM-like appearance. |
Back to Top
|
| Why utilize an intercooling system?
|
To achieve maximum horsepower, the temperature of the charge-air entering the engine requires close attention. This gain is achieved because as air cools it becomes more dense. And the denser the charge, the greater the concentration of oxygen molecules per cubic centimeter. The higher the concentration of oxygen, the greater the amount of force that will be created from the combustion process. The greater the heat applied to charge air, the greater it expands, therefore occupying more volume. Considering that oxygen propagates the combustion process, the goal is to maximize the volumetric concentration of oxygen.
Reducing charge-air temperature increases the detonation threshold. In optimal combustion, the air/fuel mixture begin a controlled burn at the spark plug and graduate outwards through the end-gas, thereby driving the piston through its stroke in the cylinder. Detonation deviates from this process by beginning its burn as any controlled burn would, but instead ignites the end-gases uncontrollably. Leading to an increase in peak and mean cylinder pressures of up to 1500 psi, doubling normal peak combustion pressure, setting the cylinder walls in oscillation caused by pressure waves associated with abnormal combustion. This deviation is referred to as auto-ignition or detonation. End-gas temperature directly determines the onset of auto-ignition, based on the temperature of the charge-air entering the cylinder. Intercooling is essentially a win win situation. Not only do you dramatically increase horsepower, but you also eliminate the likelihood of detonation. |
Back to Top
|
| Performance Calculations?
|
HPS performance testing is conducted under laboratory controlled conditions. The performance values quoted apply to certain models only and nota all models will achieve the same results. Actual customer vehicle performance values may be higher or lower that stated due to individual customers' vehicle condition and other factors beyond HPS' control. Unauthorized vehicle modifications may also affect performance.
|
Back to Top
|
| Is the HPS supercharger system patent protected?
|
| Yes, our product has three patentes under "U.S. Patent No. 7,137,384, 7,200,483, and 7,201,157." HPS takes patent infringement very seriously. Our product is patent protected.
|
Back to Top
|
| Why is a HPS supercharger considerable lower in cost than the competitors? |
| HPS is a subdivision of an aerospace company operating for over 27 years. Operational, fixed and variable cost are minimal. Product is purchased in bulk in order to obtain larger discounts. The selling price of the HPS supercharger is within median price range for other luxury automobile manufactures supercharger system for BMW, Porsche, and etc. The theory it's a Mercedes-Benz, therefore you can afford it! Is a marketing technique by competitors in order to raise retail price to maximize profit at the consumers' expense! |
Back to Top
|
| Will my warranty be voided? |
| Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) |
Back to Top
|
| What about fuel economy and flexible fuels? |
| Supercharging is compatible with all types of fuels including flexible fuels, i.e. CNG (compressed natural gas), propane, etc. Fuel economy is not compromised. When utilizing the bypass system in conjunction with the supercharger. EPA (environmental protection agency) figures support this claim. A typical domestic vehicle equipped with an Eaton supercharger shows no fuel economy penalty for highway driving, and in other case 1-2 miles per gallon increase. |
Back to Top
|
| What is the difference between a Roots supercharger and a turbocharger? |
| A supercharger is connected directly to the crankshaft by a belt unlike a turbocharger which is driven by exhaust gases. An Eaton supercharger provides improved horsepower and torque, at lower engine rpm's, by pumping extra air into the engine in direct relationship to crankshaft speed. The positive connection yields instant response, in contrast to turbochargers, which must overcome inertia and spin up to speed as the flow of exhaust gas increases. The supercharger is a way to get around "turbo lag". The lubrication system also differs, in that; the supercharger is self-contained whereas the turbocharger requires engine oil. |
Back to Top
|
| Is an HPS supercharger noisy? |
The HPS supercharger system incorporates a specially designed bypass valve, which is actuated by a vacuum motor near the throttle body, and re-circulates the supercharger air flow when boost is not required. During typical driving conditions, the engine is under boost around 5% of the time, which means the remaining 95% of the time the engine is under vacuum, allowing for better fuel economy and a quieter ride. In addition, the helix angled rotors, along with specially designed inlet and outlet port geometry, also reduce pressure variations resulting in a smooth discharge flow and a lower level of noise during operation.
Another key factor in reducing supercharger whine is size of compressor and it’s placement. HPS utilizes a Magnuson MP112 unit for applications, this unit is more powerful, requires less rotor spin in order to generate high boost pressure, resulting in less whine. In addition the HPS supercharger is intergraded into the highest quality of billet material for the intake manifold which muffles any additional supercharge whine during boost. Combination of all factors significantly reduced supercharger whine. |
Back to Top
|
| How does an HPS supercharger compare with a centrifugal supercharger? |
| A centrifugal supercharger is essentially a belt driven turbocharger. Centrifugal superchargers systems frequently have less horsepower and torque than the naturally aspirated version of the same engine at lower rpm’s. There is a narrow rpm band where an centrifugal superchargers perform well but this makes them “peaky”. The peak horsepower from this narrow band is what centrifugal manufacturers advertise but most experienced people say that the true measure of a supercharger is performance at all engine rpm’s. Magnuson Products, Inc.’s roots hybrid positive displacement superchargers deliver additional horsepower and torque right off idle and maintain horsepower and torque gains through all engine speeds. With the standard integrated bypass system Magnuson Products, Inc.'s are less parasitic than centrifugal. |
Back to Top
|
| Why use a bypass valve? |
| The best-kept secret in forced induction is the little-known bypass valve. This small valve, when properly installed between the supercharger and the air throttle body, allows the supercharger to become extremely efficient in terms of economy and parasitic power loss. Our MP90 supercharger uses less than 1/3 of 1 HP while cruising at 60 MPH. A vacuum actuator control unit that is normally closed operates the bypass. When boost is required (i.e., under acceleration) the vacuum is decreased and the bypass valve instantly closes, causing pressure to increase into the cylinders. This equalized vacuum condition virtually eliminates the normal parasitic power loss of a forced induction system. |
Back to Top
|
| What about existing parts? |
| In order to keep the cost of the unit for a reasonable price. We utilize existing hardware such as the air boxes, engine cover, and etc. It is more cost effective to utilize existing hardware from the vehicle then purchasing new items. |
Back to Top
|
| Why not believe what you read about HPS on Internet forums?
|
| Mercedes-Benz Internet message board forums are owned and operated by competitors of HPS. Facts, figures and other technical data will be misrepresented and challenged in order to discredit, damage HPS creditability. In some cases, individuals will utilize this as an advantage in order to receive free product, substantial discounts, or other unrelated favors. If not granted then these individuals will post false claims about the company, employees, and product in order to make a point. In addition our competition is using the same Magnuson/Eaton roots supercharger as we do. Clearly, this states we have a solid design and product! You can't argue with the facts!
|
Back to Top
|
| What is the relationship between Eaton and Magnuson Products? |
| Eaton Supercharger Division is the largest manufacturer of automotive superchargers in the world. They manufacture superchargers for original equipment applications for several models of Mercedes Benz, General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Aston Martin, and Jaguar with others in the works. Magnuson Products, Inc. handles service and the aftermarket for Eaton Supercharger Division and provides superchargers to a number of companies that design and manufacture the installation system for specific applications. Magnuson Products, Inc. provides more superchargers for aftermarket applications than any other supercharger manufacturer in the world. |
Back to Top
|
