project update...

[Gary Derian]

The Paxton drive is a 4.44:1 as you describe.  Early units (early 80's) had
problems with mismatched balls.  If they are not EXACTLY the same diameter,
the largest one will take most of the load.  The design dates back to the
McCullough (sp?) superchargers from the 50's.

Type F ATF should improve the traction of the balls.

Gary Derian <gderian at oh.verio.com>

> My paxton SN-89 is stealthy quiet at idle and cruise but at WOT at
> about 3500 rpm there is a telltale chirpy whistle. maybe I have a
> little leak but it does make noise you can hear outside the car.
> nothing like a vortech though.
>
> the planetary balls are pinball sized bearings that produce about a
> 4:1 rpm ratio from belt to impeller. the impeller is mounted on the
> center shaft that the balls surround and then surrounding the balls
> is the shell thats spun by the pully. for each inch of travel of the
> outer shell the balls turn one inch and for every one inch of turn of
> the inner shaft thats 4 x the number of degrees traveled. the idea is
> that friction is your friend here.. if the bearings slip then you
> lose boost.
>
> On a side note.. Paxton used to sell what they called "traction
> fluid" that I heard was just anti-foaming agent but I cannot find an
> equivelant at any auto store.. nothing under friction modifyers or
> anti-foaming formula or anything.. anyone have a clue here? the stuff
> gives 2 more psi when the balls grip more.
>
>
>
> > From:          "Jim Yeagley" <jimyeagley at stratos.net>
> > To:            <gmecm at efi332.eng.ohio-state.edu>
> > Subject:       Re: project update...
> > Date:          Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:42:52 -0400
> > Reply-to:      gmecm at efi332.eng.ohio-state.edu
>
> > >The Paxtons I've seen all seemed
> > > pretty quiet. I thought the Vortech would be too.
> >
> > John,
> >
> > It's noisier because the Vortech has a gear-driven impeller, but the
> > Paxton's are driven by a "planetary ball" drive.  Don't know exactly
what
> > that is, but I guess they can use a different fluid to get more "grip"
from
> > the balls and get boost faster.  Sounds like friction and worn out parts
to
> > me.  At least with the Vortech you know for sure that the impeller is
> > turning at x N engine speed!
> >
> > BTW, what's it on?
> >
> > Jim Yeagley
> > 1996 Dodge Indy Ram
> > See it and many others at: www.indyram.org
> > 1975 Pontiac Grandville Brougham Conv.
> > jimyeagley at stratos.net
> > webmaster at indyram.org
> >
> >
> >
> ~~~
> Dave Z. www.delanet.com/~tgp