jaysant1

Looking for some feedback from some of the guys here who may be using one of these. I'm building a track car from a 94 1.8 miata. This car will never be driven on the street and will likely run e85. I'm just looking to hear from anyone who might have some experience with this kit on their impressions and its general reliability given it will be used on the track. Will most likely upgrade to the MP900 TVS blower. Any input is appreciated.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

it's junk

18psi

iTrader: (76)

The only even semi legitimate reason to go FFS is for the CARB sticker. If you don't drive on public highways and don't need inspection/smog done, then it's junk.

jaysant1

Wow that's really disappointing to hear. So if I want to run a supercharger for the track what does everyone here suggest? I don't want to say money is no issue but it's not as much of an issue as the dependability. There are not really that many manufacturers that can provide a complete kit and I am not in the position to really fabricate a lot of parts. Suggestions?

nitrodann

MKturbo probably.

99mx5

iTrader: (16)

I had an FFS system for a couple of years a time long ago. The car was reliable for street stints and autocross and made around 200 WHP @ 10 psi. I easily blew up the blower on the track within a year. I would not recommend it for extended periods of time on the track because the blower bearings aren't actively cooled nor lubricated. The FFS hardware and kit was solid and the throttle response was great, but the blower lobe needle bearings are the weak link. My kit had a MP62 blower, I do not know about the TVS blower.

Arca_ex

iTrader: (2)

If you want power and want to track the car, then do a mild engine build, buy Trackspeed's EFR turbo parts, build the rest, call it a day.

The Driver

Funny you post that. All I ever hear about FFS owners, is how much power the cars make, on a dyno. I never hear them talk about the setup capabilities in track events, autocrossing and the like.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

only people you see praising ffs are tom, the wackjob owner, and his minions/lovers.

seriously.

I can't say I entirely hated my FFS. It was cool having the 2-3psi at 2500rpm for scooting around town. But once it heat soaked, it was garbage. And I never even tracked it or drove it hard. I can't imagine how badly it must get on a track where you're actually WOT for long periods of time.

Compared to a proper turbo setup it's just laughable.

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

call Track Dog Racing, they have the only supercharger kit that is worth a damn (also the nicest intercooler kit on the market). Otherwise you are stuck waiting for Trackspeed to finish their total kit. There are almost no complete, reliable track setups on the market. Most of the guys who track regularly have a lot of resources beyond just money, and have pieced their setups together and refined over the years.

99mx5

iTrader: (16)

I was one of the early customers and the first home installed kit. Many of the changes to the original kit was because of my hard use of it. It was a blast at the local autocross and was fun on the track while the blower lasted. The blower was repaired under warranty and then I sold the kit because I knew it would happen again.

I had terrible heat soak too, especially in traffic with the AC turned on. I made a cold air box for it and it was much better for extended boost sessions on the track.

The Driver

Thanks for the clarification.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Have you tracked their setup? no
How many guys you know of that have/do?
What the vendor told you doesn't count. I want unbiased/unaffiliated confirmed track cars. If you know of more than a handful, then you can continue to advertise their setup. I have a suspicion that some coolaid is being drank here

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

I mean, I'm pretty picky, and I was pleasantly surprised with their design. Sure I didn't actually install anything, but I've held every piece of their kit. They include an enlarged rotrex oil cooler with its own shrouding, pre cut shrouding for ic, radiator, and new brackets to reposition the condenser. They also include a literal book (100 pages, model specific) of simple step by step instructions with pictures. It's well done, and I like well done. They are not good at showing off the intricacies of their design, and that's why I like to at least tell people about them, to spread awareness of a well designed option. I also want more people rigorously testing their setup, and that only happens when people know about it. Who knows, Gary might give a sizeable discount to have 3rd party testing done. I know he would sell the blemished kit i returned for less than what I bought it for.

Rotrex's in general are fairly well documented to be lower maintenance on the track than turbo cars (you even said so yourself), and the best kit out there for c30-74 84 and 94 rotrex is made by TDR. If kraftwerks put in the same design quality into the miata kit as their s2000 kit, maybe there would be two good rotrex kits out there, but the kw kit is almost literal garbage.

But, I really don't care, I'm going turbo now.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Nothing wrong with liking their design. But it's irrelevant. My concern was with you advertising it like it's been proven, when neither you nor anyone you know has done so.

jaysant1

From what I hear everywhere looks like the Trackspeed kit and some effort is going to be what gets this done. Looks like most of the fab work is in the intercooler and piping. Anyone have anything to add to that? BTW thank you all you comments have been quite helpful.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

You heard correct

Socals14

I have a FFS kit. I also live in CA, so it was a CARB conscious purchase. Car passed smog with flying colors. Compared to the turbo cars I have owned (SR'd 240 & WRX), it is OK. You are not going to impress the cool kids with this kit. I mostly autocross, and drive it around town on the weekends, and find the car fun as hell.

The comments about it being "junk" are obviously exaggerated. Ebay turbo manifolds are junk and that is not how I would describe this kit. These superchargers are a known commodity. The kit itself is super complete and Tom's customer service is extra-ordinary. About as plug and play as it gets. So far, it has held up fine, but I'm not tracking the car. In comes down to what you want and your intended use. YMMV.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I owned one too. My opinions differ from yours. Maybe it's because I've driven several properly set up and tuned FI Miata's and have the luxury of comparison?
When your only two criteria are: 1) it works 2) it's faster than a stock Miata.....Well, then in that case yeah, it's great.

Socals14

Pretty sure I established that our opinions differ. Not sure it bears repeating, but I found your opinion to be exaggerated. I almost used the word "biased," but found that too strong knowing I am biased as well. I know why this kit is not favored. Some of those arguments are legitimate issues to consider...but also irrelevant for my intended use.