Looking after a supercharger

[eltax91]

Hi folks

Yesterday I picked up my MX5 from having the supercharger install finished off (wow what a difference, usable power right across the revs)

Anyway, it's my first car (apart from TDi) with Forced Induction and I'd like to know how to adjust my driving style to make best use of it and to increase it's longevity. So, should I adjust the way I use the throttle? I assume it's good to let it cool down when before switching off? How long should that take? Is there a good warm-up procedure aside from normal mechanical sympathy until warm?

Cheers

[Fastdruid]

Superchargers aren't like turbos where they get red hot.
Just drive the first and last few miles sensibly to warm up/cool down. (although that also works with turbos).

[Andy665]

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

[ikarl]

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

best quality what?

[Joeguard1990]

ikarl said:

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

best quality what?

Superchargers - no Mickey Mouse mini hairdryer

[8bit]

Normal mechanical sympathy is fine. Relax and enjoy.

[y2blade]

ikarl said:

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

best quality what?

Oil I guess.

[bobbo89]

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

90k without a re-build? You got lucky!

[Fastdruid]

bobbo89 said:

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

90k without a re-build? You got lucky!

90k between two cars! Probably both needed a rebuild 5k later...

[y2blade]

bobbo89 said:

Andy665 said:

Best advice anyone gave me on my Corrado G60's was to use the best quality I could afford and to replace it fairly frequently - I did more than 90k in those two cars without any issues at all

90k without a re-build? You got lucky!

Who said anything about luck?...he looked after it, it looked after him.

[bobbo89]

y2blade said:

Who said anything about luck?...he looked after it, it looked after him.

G-Laders need a re-build after about 40k, less so if you've fitted a smaller pulley.

Mines stage 4 ported with a 68mm pulley so I reckon i'll see 25k best before I start risking a catastrophe!

[ManOpener]

bobbo89 said:

y2blade said:

Who said anything about luck?...he looked after it, it looked after him.

G-Laders need a re-build after about 40k, less so if you've fitted a smaller pulley.

Mines stage 4 ported with a 68mm pulley so I reckon i'll see 25k best before I start risking a catastrophe!

And when a G-Lader goes, it goes properly. Particularly if it goes at high load/RPM. Not referred to as "grenading" for nothing.

I was going to mention earlier, most superchargers have a serving schedule don't they? It does concern me when looking at the number of modern supercharged engines like those used in the earlier (R53?) Mini Cooper S that many of these, even those that have been conventionally serviced on time, won't necessarily have had the superchargers serviced. Or is that unnecessary paranoia?

[Captain Muppet]

ManOpener said:

I was going to mention earlier, most superchargers have a serving schedule don't they? It does concern me when looking at the number of modern supercharged engines like those used in the earlier (R53?) Mini Cooper S that many of these, even those that have been conventionally serviced on time, won't necessarily have had the superchargers serviced. Or is that unnecessary paranoia?

If the supercharger oil needs changing it'll be in the service book. If it's not in the service book feel free to change it anyway, if you can get the right oil.

It's just a couple of gears to drive the rotors, nothing particularly delicate.

[Rich1973]

Plenty of discussion about the Eton (I believe) chargers used on the Jag XJR. It is a specific oil that is used and it is recomended on the forum to be changed after 100k or so. Mine was starting to smell a bit odd after a good thrash which was a tell tale on those. The smell was likened to cat wee which wasnt too far off!