Miata Supercharging

[breezy7]

I have been thinking for years about adding a Jackson racing M45 supercharger to my 93 Miata and now that I am ready the kit is no longer available so that leaves me with used ones. I am not looking for the most power but just want to make the car a bit quicker without sacrificing reliability or driveability.

 

I have found an older model that comes with a auxiliary fuel pressure regulator to handle extra fuel requirements instead of the electronic controller of later models. How well does the auxiliary regulator work compared to the electronic version? Any weak points I should be aware of or telltale signs something is wrong? From what I've read it is a plug and play operation( at least new ones were). The car is off the road with suspension damage so a drive is not possible, other than a boost gauge how can I tell the system is working? Any weak points to be aware of?

 

The guy is asking $1450 including the Bipes ignition controller and that seems steep to me. I was thinking $1000 tops, am I out of line?

 

I've done a bit of reading on wwwthemiatanet but not much help, so if any Miata guys can chime in it will help.

 

Steve, if you see this post I talked to a guy at the British car show 2 years ago that was changing his Miata from supercharged to V8 power and he knew you. He used to have a Birkin I think and lived in your neighbor hood I think. He might be someone I could talk to.

 

Mike

[bball7754]

Mike - Think you talked with Bill Varnum. He does live close, but he can be tough to get in touch with. Believe his number is unlisted, but I'll see if I can find it.

 

Steve

[scannon]

There was one on the Denver CL last week for $800. I checked and the listing is gone.

 

Check with Flyin' Miata. I think they had one on their Deal of the Day awhile back. It might still be available. Give them a call at 800 359 6957. They remove quite a few of them for customers moving up to turbos or V8s.

 

The rising rate fuel pressure regulator is a little tricky to get running right and people have difficulty getting it past emissions testing. You also need an additional fuel pump to raise the pressure as above regulator just over drives the injectors as boost rises.

 

Check out the Supercharging section of the Miata.net forum http://forum.miata.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=92. There should be lots of info in the archives on the Jackson.

[breezy7]

Thanks Steve, hope it is not imposing. Things better with the crossflow?

Mike

 

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Edited November 22, 2010 by breezy7

[MHKflyer52]

breezy7,

 

Why not go directly to the source for supercharges for the Miata.

Here is a link to Jackson Racing:

http://www.supercharger.com/Browse/PlateMenuProducts.aspx?WebCatalogID=14&PlateTypeID=1

Here is what MossMotors has for the Miata:

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=77376&SortOrder=1

[Boxologist]

why not just put in a more recent motor. How is the compression on the '93 motor. An autoX friend was complaining that he feels his '94 has lost a lot of its oommpphh. well, its a Miata, omph. Maybe a 2001+ 1.8 or if possible the 2.0L?

 

It sound slike more money, but i think the less maintenance and reliability would be more appealing to possibly double the hp of a dying engine.

[breezy7]

Hey guys: Called Moss Motors/ Jackson Supercharging, they are one in the same. Surf must be up in Goleta,CA. no answer on the phone.

 

The swap to a 1.8used in the 94-97 Miata would give me 128hp vs 116hp I have now just isn't enough difference. If you can believe the advertising, Moss sells a $300 cold air intake that is good for 14 hp and that would be cheaper and easier route. I'm not up for a engine swap and the associated headaches, it is hard enough to find time to change the oil. I've got under 80k miles on the car and the engine is in good shape. If I remember correctly the 1.6 started out as a turbocharged engine in the Mazda 323 and is very rugged, it is good for 7psi of boost with no mods and I'm looking at 5-6 psi that would give me 40hp or so. Don't need a super quick car( Caterham fills that bill) just would like the acceleration to match the exhaust tone, it sounds like we are going fast but progress is a bit slow.

 

Mike

[fastg]

The 1.6 is a very rugged engine, many think it’s stronger than the 1.8. With upgraded engine management 12-14 pounds boost is safe with a good tune. 6-7 pounds is just about all you can do running stock injectors. Going from stock ECU with bandaids to a custom ECU makes an amazing difference. With bandaids it's a big compromise, never quite right. There is a lot of engineering in a supercharger setup, so if the mileage is low $1400 is not a bad deal.

Graham