The WT140 is the answer for owners of older GM cars with sluggish power windows. Quick install, no mod or disassembly of doors, check out the before and after videos:
(video credit: Tyler Shull)
Stock Window
Window Turbo™
Price: $169.90 Shipping Status: ~ We are currently out of production due to factory closures. If you are interested in obtaining a WindowTurbo™ please email: info@proraceeng.com. We apologize for the shortage, please stay safe during this difficult time.
The Window Turbo™ was developed with inspiration and assistance from the great folks at Richard Clark’s Garage (RCG), the premier Buick Turbo Regal and Grand National shop. The Window Turbo is available now either from RCG on-site or direct from Pro Race Engineering.
What is the Window Turbo™?
In response to the need of owners of GM G-Body vehicles like the Buick GN and Turbo Regal, Chevrolet Monte Carlo and others the Window Turbo™ was developed to safely increase the opening and closing speed of your power windows. In most installs the Window Turbo™ will safely double the speed of the power window.
Is it difficult to install?
Emphatically no! Unlike other marginally performing power window upgrades which require disassembly of the door and window mechanism, we have designed the Window Turbo™ to be a 10 minute install and it does not require disassembling doors or cutting any wires. It is compatible with all stock G-body windows and controls. *NOTE: the WT140 will not work with the One Touch window control* . It’s innovative method of connection allows for a no-modification install easily removed if necessary, although we don’t know why anyone would want to return to the stock power windows and waste their time waiting…zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Is the Window Turbo™ safe?
Absolutely. The Window Turbo™ was designed explicitly to address the poor performance of the stock power window operation while intelligently monitoring safe operating conditions for the window assembly and occupants. Even in the unlikely event of failure the Window Turbo™ will revert to standard window operation.
Will the Window Turbo™ damage the window motor?
The mechanical power output of a motor is directly proportional to the current through it. The WT140 Window Turbo monitors and regulates motor current, not voltage. Because it is mainly compensating for resistive losses in the wiring and switches, it does not increase current past the GM window system design specification. If it did the 30 A breaker GM designed into the system would be inadequate, and we actually retain that breaker in the Window Turbo harness.
The main failure mechanism for a DC brush motor is commutator damage due to insufficient speed and subsequent commutator arcing and overheating. In the case of our GM G-Bodys, there are a few reasons the window slows down, namely resistive losses in the harness, switches, etc and thickened grease.
The stock setup shortens the motor’s life in three major ways:
1) By running heavily loaded at a low speed which causes brush/commutator arcing.
2) By keeping full voltage applied after the window has reached it’s upper or lower mechanical stops. In a stock setup the only current limiting is the 30 A breaker. When the WT140 is installed, the maximum current at end limits is limited to a fraction of this, greatly reducing brush arcing on a stationary commutator.
3) Longer time to complete window movement. Using the WT140 the amount of time the motor is actually running is halved as well.
All factors considered we believe the WT140 will not shorten and may actually extend motor life. The current-regulation methodology the WT140 implements is what industrial controllers use when reliability is paramount, as opposed to the undersized wiring and switch and no limit detection approach used by GM as a cost-cutting measure.