Short lived Latham Super Charger

[Mike 1017]

Looking for info on the Latham Supercharger for an upcoming project that I am starting. I came across this LONG !!! article at the Hemmings site.

Mike

History of the Short-Lived but innovative Latham Axial Flow Supercharger - Hemmings

 

[Can-Con]

Have you seen this video, Mike?

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Two biggest problems with the Latham were 1) it was very expensive to make the impeller with all those little vanes that had to be quite accurate and 2) they just didn't make much boost at lower RPM. 

Otherwise, they're pretty cool. 

 

[MeatMan]

To me that looks like a good subject for scratch building. Its has a fairly simple design made of mostly simple geometric shapes.
The only issue is the carbs, which you can probably trade for.

[Ace-Garageguy]

33 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

To me that looks like a good subject for scratch building. Its has a fairly simple design made of mostly simple geometric shapes.
The only issue is the carbs, which you can probably trade for.

True...but there's a pretty decent one in every issue and derivative of this kit:   

There's an even better one in the Johan '70 (and later) Eldo...but the cost of the Eldos is getting up there.

Still, the odds of the Eldo kit version actually getting used are kinda slim, so parts-sellers on feePay might be a good bet.

[Joe Handley]

9 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Two biggest problems with the Latham were 1) it was very expensive to make the impeller with all those little vanes that had to be quite accurate and 2) they just didn't make much boost at lower RPM. 

Otherwise, they're pretty cool. 

 

That would actually be ideal on the Chrysler 3.6l in FWD Applications.  My 200 and Dad’s Caravan will light the front tires up if you aren’t careful while trying to get off a light quickly in stock form, even with good tires, so light boost down low where traction is a problem would come in handy. 
I do have to wonder how well those could be made now, with CNC milling and 3D printing with metal now being a thing.

[slusher]

23 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

True...but there's a pretty decent one in every issue and derivative of this kit:   

There's an even better one in the Johan '70 (and later) Eldo...but the cost of the Eldos is getting up there.

Still, the odds of the Eldo kit version actually getting used are kinda slim, so parts-sellers on feePay might be a good bet.

Bill , is that the only kits they came in curious?

[Ace-Garageguy]

12 minutes ago, slusher said:

Bill , is that the only kits they came in curious?

Yes...as far as I know. Mark would most likely have the definitive answer though.

[Mike 1017]

 I believe that the Orange Crate kit has a Latham Supercharger. I think that someone here built this model.

Mike

[Mike C]

On 6/15/2024 at 2:53 PM, Can-Con said:

Have you seen this video, Mike?

 

I just watched that video yesterday when I cam across it in the "Recommended" on my YouTube channel. Good video, great supercharger.

[Ace-Garageguy]

8 hours ago, Mike 1017 said:

 I believe that the Orange Crate kit has a Latham Supercharger. 

Nope. Not even close.

It's a GMC Roots-type "positive displacement" supercharger with a Potvin-style front-drive and manifold setup.

The Latham unit is an "axial flow" supercharger that works entirely differently.

POTVIN HERE:   https://www.mooneyesusa.com/product-p/potvin2009.htm

AND DISCUSSED IN THE THREAD BELOW:

 

Edited June 18, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
CLARITY

[Mike C]

I think it works basically like the turbine compressor of a jet engine. It even sounds like one (without the roar from combustion).

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 6/20/2024 at 1:24 PM, Mike C said:

I think it works basically like the turbine compressor of a jet engine. 

Correct.

[Mark]

AMT '65 Riviera has one too.