Supercharger kits

[eltax91]

Hi guys

I have a '98 mk2 1.8iS that I've run as a toy for a year now. I've just done a mechanical spruce up, Cambelt, oils, filters, upgraded brakes etc and really enjoyed working on it and betting my hands dirty.

I think it's time to move it on a step and think about power options. One day the engine will end up in a 7-esque kit car if my plans go well.

I've done a bit of googling, looking on mx5 nutz etc. but all I find is cobbled together kits and self fabricating experts fitting superchargers.

So, I know the mini supercharger is a common fit. But are there any suppliers that offer a complete fitting kit? Ecu, belts bracketary etc

I can't find anything obvious

For reference I don't think I want to turbo it, even if it might be easier.

Also, what's the ball park figures for a kit and self fitting vs a place to get one fitted?

Cheers

[MG CHRIS]

tr lane do a kit to fit the mini supercharger then you need a standalone ecu to map it correctly and get best performance. Then take it to a specialist too tune it properly.

[eltax91]

MG CHRIS said:

tr lane do a kit to fit the mini supercharger then you need a standalone ecu to map it correctly and get best performance. Then take it to a specialist too tune it properly.

I looked at TR lane and the site says 'we do not offer an mx5 supercharger full kit'. I can see they offer some fabricated parts, but where do I get a shopping list from?!

I find the whole thing really baffling if I'm honest. Is supercharging not a well trodden route? Given the ability for the engine to take power without mods I'm surprised.

Who is noted for doing good ecu's? I've only really heard of emerald.

[J-Tuner]

There is a chap i know who frequents here that is getting ready to sell a complete mk2 JR supercharger kit. Literally everything you need to get going and including a Megasquirt2 enhanced ECU. and runs about 208BHP. I think he wants around 2k for it which based on my journey so far is a steal as i had to by the megasquirt2 and a bunch of things like pulleys and tensioners on top my my kit.

I can vouch for him as i bought my full JR 1.8 kit from him and its was perfect.

If you are interested ping me your email address and i can put you in touch.

Cheers

Steve

Edited by J-Tuner on Sunday 20th April 17:20

[eltax91]

Hi

Won't let me pm you from the mobile site. I'd love to be out in touch though, and would be very interested.

I will PM you when I can get on a device that will let me.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Supercharging used to be a very popular route with BRP AND FFS making MP62 kits and JR making the M45 kit but the MP62 & M45 aren't being made now and the only place still selling kits is FFS with their coldside MP62.

[Flatinfourth]

Surely the issue here is that if an owner were to be exposed to the full cost of supercharging including components, labour and rolling road time, they would walk away from the idea due to cost?
Making a good kit requires development time and a good engine management system if the result is going to improve on Mazda's own superb design and not simply be a fast-but-poor setup. That creates a cost that must be recovered by the vendor of such a kit.
If an owner does his homework, finds all the hardware, chooses a sound stand alone management system with a decent base map, so the car at least starts, runs and moves, then the whole thing suddenly becomes affordable.

What kind of power output would you look for?

The reason I say that is if you are going down the management route, you could instead fit throttle bodies and a decent manifold/exhaust and make the car a little more screaming Lotus Twincam like!!

[MX-5 Lazza]

Except throttle bodies & exhaust might add 20bhp and still cost a couple of grand whereas a mini supercharger kit and piggy back ecu can cost little more but give 200bhp.
Its not worth building your own SC kit unless you can fabricate your own mounting, pulley tensioner, bypass mechanism etc which is not straightforward.

[eltax91]

Hi guys

All fair points. I'm actually not looking for big numbers. I just think a supercharger would give me a nice boost in power and torque. I want reliable extra power over impressive dump stats.

The guy who posted above out me in touch with a friend and we've been talking on email today. He's put together a full kit, with lots of shiney over-specced parts and now wants to go turbo.

His is making 208bhp and 189lb/ft.

That sounds ample for the '5 and considering it'll ultimately become a kit car then those numbers will probably make a ballistic rocket ship pushing 650kg along....

[MX-5 Lazza]

Sounds spot on

[eltax91]

It does really.

He is not removing it from the car for. Week or two so I have time to research and decide if:

• I really want it
• at the price being asked for the kit, whether I can tackle fitting myself as there would be zero left in the pot for outside help, other than maybe some ecu tuning

[J-Tuner]

Those numbers are the sweet spot tbh - you wont wany any more as you will discover it drastically alters the character of the car otherwise. I have 198Bhp and 160ftlbs and thats enough to be wayward if you don't respect it - which is what i was after. You might even decide to dial it back a touch and then you can recoup some costs with a few bits if you offload.

Rich is good bloke and a man of his word based on my dealings with him. Really pleased with the kit i had off him.

Good luck and let us know if you go ahead etc Fitting a supercharger is not as difficult as people make out. I've taken mine on an off a few times now. Its easy when you know whats what

Steve

Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 22 April 17:33

[trackerjack]

eltax91 said:

Hi guys

All fair points. I'm actually not looking for big numbers. I just think a supercharger would give me a nice boost in power and torque. I want reliable extra power over impressive dump stats.

The guy who posted above out me in touch with a friend and we've been talking on email today. He's put together a full kit, with lots of shiney over-specced parts and now wants to go turbo.

His is making 208bhp and 189lb/ft.

That sounds ample for the '5 and considering it'll ultimately become a kit car then those numbers will probably make a ballistic rocket ship pushing 650kg along....

I have done just what you suggest but via turbo courtesy of HSK and the power output is alledgedly 190 ish. The car has failed IVA on minor stuff that I am easily correcting and expect it to be on the road for the summer. During IVA they weigh it and it came out at exactly 650 Kg!
On the way back from IVA I had a clear straight road and booted it and I can confirm it goes like a greyhound with acid on its goollies.

Last summer my daughter was taking me round Brands in her racing Boxster and there was a guy who had supercharged his MX5 and he was having a ball. He used a Mini charger and had put an extra throttle unit on to stop surge.

Cheers Jon

[Richyvrlimited]

trackerjack said:

I have done just what you suggest but via turbo courtesy of HSK and the power output is alledgedly 190 ish. The car has failed IVA on minor stuff that I am easily correcting and expect it to be on the road for the summer. During IVA they weigh it and it came out at exactly 650 Kg!
On the way back from IVA I had a clear straight road and booted it and I can confirm it goes like a greyhound with acid on its goollies.

Last summer my daughter was taking me round Brands in her racing Boxster and there was a guy who had supercharged his MX5 and he was having a ball. He used a Mini charger and had put an extra throttle unit on to stop surge.

Cheers Jon

Dual throttles isn't for surge protection, it's to alleviate the overly large throttled volume, particularly when a FMIC is also installed. It's not a free lunch though, badly set up it can overheat the blower, and even well set up will introduce additional noise.

[eltax91]

J-Tuner said:

Those numbers are the sweet spot tbh - you wont wany any more as you will discover it drastically alters the character of the car otherwise. I have 198Bhp and 160ftlbs and thats enough to be wayward if you don't respect it - which is what i was after. You might even decide to dial it back a touch and then you can recoup some costs with a few bits if you offload.

Rich is good bloke and a man of his word based on my dealings with him. Really pleased with the kit i had off him.

Good luck and let us know if you go ahead etc Fitting a supercharger is not as difficult as people make out. I've taken mine on an off a few times now. Its easy when you know whats what

Steve

Edited by J-Tuner on Tuesday 22 April 17:33

Well, I've took the plunge and committed to buying the kit. I happen to have a mate heading Rich's way next week for work! So, hopefully rich will have it off in time and i can get my paws on it.