While reading one of my magazines on a plane recently, I ran across mention of a type of "hybrid" vehicle called Belt-Alternator-Starter (BAS). While BAs is a useless concept for my old diesel, it got me to thinking and doing some further reading.

Would there be any value to adding a motor to help spin the engine RPMs up from idle and get it into a different part of the power band for take off from a dead stop? Any guesses as to how big of a motor would be needed?


Here's a few links fo those that want to know more about BAS:
http://www.underhoodservice.com/Article/62180/Power_Assi.aspx

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/30/greenlings-what-is-a-mild-hybrid/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Belt-Alternator-Starter-Hybrid-Systems-Are-No-Longer-a-Dream&id=1595026


Elsewhere, you can find info on converting automotive alternators to 3-phase AC motors. A 130Amp alternator is approximately a 2HP motor and the one from the Saab is a conveniently available junkyard part that's also a bolt-in replacement. Would a measely 2HP be enough to make a difference?

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