About Fast Forward Superchargers
How FFS Began
The FFS story began with Tom in 2002. After selling their toy company, Tom and his wife set out to tour the country by motorcycle. Three months, 29 states, and 19,000 miles later, an accident ended both the trip and 44 years of motorcycling.
Looking for a four-wheel replacement, Tom drove a Honda S2000 and a Mazda Miata. The Miata was not as fast, but it was more fun, which made the choice easy.
After several months in the Miata, Tom knew what it needed: more low-RPM torque. He tried a hot-side supercharger system, but its idle behavior and other compromises convinced him there was a better way.
Tom returned to SolidWorks and developed the cold-side layout that became Fast Forward Superchargers. The supercharger sat on a high-flow intake manifold, away from exhaust heat, with a short path to the engine for immediate response. He developed the system on his 1999 10th Anniversary Miata through extensive street, dyno, and track testing.
The prototype reached the road in late 2004, followed by production in early 2005 and California emissions approval.
Over the next two decades, Tom earned the trust of Miata owners by continuing to refine the kit, standing behind his work, and helping customers through installation and ownership. That commitment remains a core part of FFS.
Pat’s Road to FFS
My name is Patrick Cowan, and my connection to Miatas began long before I owned FFS.
I bought my first Miata, a 1999, in 2006 because I wanted something reliable, easy to work on, rear-wheel drive, and fun. It checked every box except one: it was slow. That began two decades of building, racing, and learning how to make Miatas faster without losing what makes them fun.
I’m a mechanical engineer, but much of what I know about forced-induction Miatas came from hands-on experience with my own car. Over the years, I built turbocharged, supercharged, and compound-turbo combinations and learned where the balance lies between power, response, reliability, and the character of the car.
I bought my first FFS kit in 2013. In the years that followed, Tom and I discussed technical problems through the Miata community, and I gained firsthand experience with both the FFS supercharger system and E-Cool.
Carrying FFS Forward
In 2024, Tom announced that he would consider selling FFS if he found the right person to continue it. I reached out, and after several conversations, we agreed that I would take over the company and carry FFS into its next chapter.
I flew to Arizona to meet with Tom and his wife and work through the transition. Tom helped pack the remaining inventory, we loaded it into a U-Haul, and I brought FFS home to Texas. The company now operates from our shop in Tomball, just northeast of Houston.
Before reopening FFS, I spent eight months learning every part of the system, rebuilding the supply chain, and preparing the kit for consistent production in our Texas shop.
The first kit built in our Texas shop went onto my own 1999 10th Anniversary Miata, and I still drive it regularly.
Fast Forward Superchargers Today
FFS is still a small, owner-operated company. When you call or email, you reach me directly. I’m here to help you choose the right kit, answer installation questions, and support you after your Miata is back on the road. We still hear from owners whose kits were installed in 2005, and we support them to this day.
We are proud of the company Tom built. Tom spent twenty years building FFS, and we plan to spend the next twenty building the best supercharger kit for your Miata.