gt3randy17

Hi, my name is Randy. I'm not much for this whole internet forums thing, but I have been lurking for five years or so mining your knowledge and resources and figured it only fair that I introduce myself. I am no stranger to turbocharging or automobiles, coming from a background of front engine front wheel drive Honda's. (insert laugh track) I had auto crossed pretty regularly back from around 2005-2008 with both my turbocharged Integra and (what was at the time my father's) Miata, but quickly became disillusioned with waiting eight hours in the hot sun in a parking lot chasing cones for a measly six minutes of track time. I have since moved on to track days, attending a few years at the March of Dimes Drive for Babies at Road America and twice at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI. Also, I am a religious attendee of the great 4-mile circuit since I was a youngster. If any on this board have been to RA in the past 10 years you have probably seen me or my Miata. My particular Miata is a 1997 example in Montego Blue with mostly suspension modifications at this time. Still holding off as to what form of forced induction will grace its engine bay at this time. I know I'll likely be blasted for it, but I continue to lean toward supercharging this particular car due to it being such a clean, low mileage, all original machine and hope this sites marketplace can produce the MP45 or MP62 kit of my dreams.

Twodoor

iTrader: (2)

Mentioning that the car is clean, low milage and other than suspension all original as the reason to go supercharger instead of turbo makes it sounds like you think a turbo would ruin the car somehow, but that a supercharger would not... not seeing the logic.

Welcome to the board!

Keith

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

Welcome, gt3randy17!

mad city miata

iTrader: (1)

Welcome, Randy

gt3randy17

The amount of modification necessary, smoother power delivery, and a more factory style look are the main pros for me with the supercharger as of right now. The market price for used kits and the modest but noticeable power increase is very attractive as well.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

It's your decision, but those all seem like terrible reasons to me.

gt3randy17

Before making any concrete decisions on a forced induction set up though, I plan to purchase a MegaSquirt first. Does anyone have any recommendations on a reputable Miata specialist that is near the Milwaukee/ Chicago region who could provide a tune?

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Ah I forget you've been lurking here for 5 years. If you haven't changed your mind now I'm sure I won't be able to convince you.

Twodoor

iTrader: (2)

Don't worry, he will convince himself after he does the supercharger and isn't satisfied with the power level. I upgraded my M45 to 200 at the wheels, and knew that 200 wasn't enough AND dealing with belt alignment issues, and slipping 4 rib belts was a ******* drag. Damn supercharger alignment issues lead to a ruined power steering pump, and a damaged nose section on the M45 resulting in a huge repair bill on the supercharger.

Wish I had gone turbo from the start!

Keith

gt3randy17

Hey Twodoor, as far as issues with your M45 kit, did they begin to pop up as you pushed for more power? Or were they persistant even with just the basic kit? I see some positive reviews from owners who made simple reliability upgrades and didn't seek big boost. Plus, if I am really not satisfied I can most likely always break even on selling the kit back.

Twodoor

iTrader: (2)

With the "stock" kit other than the Moss Miata tensioner I had aligment issues with the nose pulley not lining up with the power steering pulley. This led to the belt going one rib off on the power steering pulley. This added tension to the belt since it was now around a bigger diameter on the PS pulley since it was over the flange of the PS pulley. This caused the PS pump bearings to go bad, and the belt shredded while driving leaving half of the belt intact. Part of the rest of the belt wrapped around the nose pulley of the supercharger and ruined the oil seal. This let the oil leak out and resulted in damn near complete destruction of the nose section. Between a "refresh" of the normal wear parts, and the repair cost servicing it cost me close to a grand.

If you go to re-sell the kit you can get close to your purchase price. Any upgrades you get around half price you paid for them new, and repair costs are money down the drain.

In my example, I paid $1250 for the kit, $200 for crank pulley overlay, $100 for smaller nose pulley, $120 for an intake that was better than the JR intake, $105 for a heat shield, $1000 for the initial repair, and then when it went in for a warranty repair for oil leak into the intake I paid another $300 between repair parts and porting of the supercharger housing. Total cost $3075 and I sold it for $1555. Not including the cost of a new power steering pump (since I can't remember what it was) it cost me $1520 to have the car supercharged from Aug 2013 at 164 wheel HP until December when I bumped it up to 200 wheel HP and then removed it in March. So around 8 months. Just shy of $200 a month

Keith