- Will I need to replace my radiator?
- That depends on your current radiator. Adding HP will add heat to the engine. Towing, for example, could add a significant heat load to the radiator.
- Do I need to purchase special spark plugs?
- The kits come with the correct spark plugs for your model year and power level.
- How hard is it to wire in the engine management cards?
- The Fast Forward Superchargers engine management cards come prewired to a plug in harness specific to your model year Miata. All you need to do is disconnect the connectors at the ECU, plug them into the Fast Forward Superchargers pre-wired harness and then plug the pre-wired harness into the ECU. Done. ECool™ , will require two wires that need to connect to the extra injectors.
- How hard is it to tune the fast Forward Superchargers engine management?
- The Fast Forward Superchargers engine management comes pre-set. It is adjustable if needed but, most installs are ready to run. We do recommend that you check you Air Fuel Ratio just to be sure there were no install errors or vacuum leaks or other problems. If the Air Fuel Ratio is incorrect, there is probably an install issue.
- Is there any normal or preventative maintenance required?
- The Magnuson MP62 supercharger utilizes sealed bearings and has a sealed gearbox. Unless there is a leak in the gearbox, the oil should last for up to 100,000 miles. Same with the bearings. The supercharger is warranted by Magnuson for two years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, against defects in materials and workmanship.
- There are no other normal wear parts, other than the belt. It should be replaced as/if needed.
- Will I have any problems passing emissions?
- The Fast Forward Superchargers kit has passed California Air Resource Board (CARB) emissions tests for 1990-2003 Miatas. So far there have been no reported problems with properly installed kits on Miatas that would have passed emissions before the kit was installed. The Fast Forward Superchargers kit will not make an engine with poor health better. We expect the same in 2014 for the Jeep.
- What octane gasoline will I need to use?
- The Fast Forward Superchargers kits require a minimum of 91 octane. Higher octane fuel, such as 93 or 94 octane, will allow for more timing advance and additional horsepower.
- What horsepower can I expect?
- The standard Fast Forward Superchargers kit produces approximately 6 PSI of boost and adds approximately 82 lb-ft torque and 52 Wheel HP on those Jeeps with automatic transmissions. You will get up to 15% increase when using a manual transmission du to the transmission and torque converter losses in an automatic.
- What is the pulley ratio and boost?
- The standard Fast Forward Superchargers kit uses a 55mm supercharger pulley. It will produce approximately 6PSI boost in both cases.
- Is it possible to increase the power?
- Do I need a new header and/or exhaust?
- The stock header and exhaust have been found to be sufficient in most cases as long as it is in good shape. However, the Fast Forward Supercharger kit will work with any aftermarket header and/or exhaust.
- The most critical part is the catalytic converter. If you have more than 75,000 miles, it is a good chance the catalytic converter will be restrictive. Sufficient for your stock Jeep but not for the significant increase of air flow encountered with the supercharger.
- If you are going to replace the catalytic converter, we recommend a good aftermarket high flow version.
- Do I need to replace the sparkplug wires?
- The stock sparkplug wires, if they are in good condition, should be sufficient. If they are old or have a lot of miles on them, a new set might be in order. If you do replace the wire set, there is no need for the expensive high performance wires. Stock jeep wires are more than adequate.
- Do I need any special air filter or intake?
- The stock filter is sufficient. We recommend a replacement filter like a K&N as an option.
- Do I need to purchase any special gauges?
- No gauges are needed to operate this kit. However, as mentioned in #5 above, it is highly recommended that you check your Air Fuel Ratio after install of the kit to ensure that there are no install mistakes or defects.
- In order to check your Air Fuel Ratio, you will either need to make an appointment with a local dyno that has Air Fuel Ratio measurement or install a gauge. If you decide to do the later, we recommend the AEM "Failsafe" as a good gauge as it not only measures Air Fuel Ratio but also vacuum and boost levels. In addition, it records these values. Great for troubleshooting if the need arises.
- Will I need any special tools?
- You will just need normal hand tools.
- Who can I get to do the installation for me?
- The instructions are available online here: Instructions and any mechanic shop could do the install.
- What fuel octane do I need to run?
- You need to run a minimum of 91 octane as measured by the R+M/2 method as used in the USA. Other countries have different methods of measurement and typically run 3-4 octane numbers higher for the same octane. Higher octane is even better. 91 is the minimum.
- Do the cards ever need to be updated?
- The Fast Forward Superchargers proprietary engine management cards have been updated from time to time over their life. The hardware stays the same but the software, both operating system and tuning files, have been revised. The updating is relatively easy but requires a programmer module to do the task. We have several programmers here that are available for loan to do the task. What is required is a laptop computer and Windows based OS.
- Can I buy a kit without the engine management?
- We do not have support for other engine management systems. As there are so many variations available, you would have to contact the manufacturer or distributer of the specific system for that specific setup and adjustment advice. Contact Fast Forward Superchargers for pricing.
- What is the best way to control the ECool injectors if I'm using different engine management?
- We do not have support for other engine management systems. As there are so many variations available, you would have to contact the manufacturer or distributer of the specific system for that advice.
- My state uses an OBD2 diagnostic emissions test. Will my car still pass inspection?
- Yes. The proprietary Fast Forward Superchargers engine management retains all of the original ECU controls and safety. The Fast Forward Supercharger system on the Miata passes California emissions (CARB EO# D-617-1) running at 10PSI Boost. These are the strictest emission standards in the USA that we are aware of. Meeting these requirements assures emission compliance in the other states. We have not, to date, had any issues passing emission in any foreign countries as well. The Fast Forward Superchargers engine management "piggybacks" on the stock engine management. It only has an effect when in boost. All of the factory emission controls are still in effect. We expect to do the same for the Jeep in 2014 and expect no difficulties in getting CARB listing.
- Will the car be noisier once the kit is installed?
- The kit runs quite quiet until you are wide open throttle. The stock exhaust is sufficient in most cases and is relatively quiet. Most of the supercharger sound is also muffled byt the air intake filter. If you wish it to be louder, any aftermarket exhaust system that fits your car will work with the Fast Forward Superchargers kit.
- How does the evaporative cooling effect of fuel compare to the thermal efficiency of a typical intercooler?
- Technically, spraying a liquid of any kind into the intake manifold is not an intercooler. However, the job of an intercooler is to cool the intake charge air after the blower and before the intake valves. The proper use of a liquid sprayed into the intake charge air and its evaporative effect will cool the charge air. The extent of the cooling is the issue. The Fast Forward Superchargers system has been tested thoroughly and easily meets the requirements of the system.
| |
