Miata Supercharger FAQ
Fitment & Performance
What power should I expect?
~190–200 wheel horsepower on 91-octane fuel on a Dynojet with a manual transmission. Automatic cars generally show 10–20 fewer wheel horsepower.
What octane gasoline is required?
Use a minimum of 91 octane as measured by the R+M/2 method used in the United States. Higher octane is also acceptable.
Will I keep power steering and air conditioning?
Yes. The standard kit is compatible with factory power steering and air conditioning.
What is the CARB status for my year?
1990–2003 applications are CARB approved under Executive Order D-617-2 in the listed configuration. The 2004–2005 applications are not covered by that Executive Order.
Will the kit fit a right-hand-drive Miata?
Yes. Select the right-hand-drive option when configuring the kit.
Is a 1.6L Miata kit available?
Not yet. FFS is working on the next-generation 1.6L system using our 1992 Sunburst Miata. No release date has been announced.
Installation
Do I need a professional installer?
No. An experienced DIY installer can complete the job with basic automotive hand tools. Professional installation is recommended but is not required for warranty coverage when the kit is installed correctly.
What if I need help during installation?
FFS provides direct phone and email support during installation. Complete written and video instructions are also included.
Where are the written instructions?
What condition should the car be in before installation?
The kit works on a stock Miata in good condition. The fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition wires, coil pack, CAS on NA Miatas, radiator, thermostat, and all coolant hoses should be in great condition and not too old.
Will I need to replace my radiator?
The stock radiator is sufficient for most cars as long as it is in good condition. Upgrading the radiator is recommended for very hot climates and for track use.
Do I need a larger fuel pump?
If the stock fuel pump was replaced recently, it should be fine for the standard kit. If the pump is older, install a new stock pump or upgrade to a Walbro 190HP or similar pump.
Do I need to purchase special spark plugs?
No. The kit includes the correct colder-range spark plugs for the selected model year and power level.
Do I need special gauges?
No aftermarket gauges are required. We recommend installing a Wideband O2 Gauge (WBO2) to monitor the Air/Fuel Ratio (AFR). A boost gauge is optional, but nice to have.
Will I need special tools?
Normal automotive hand tools are sufficient. The kit includes the specialty low-profile wrench used for serpentine-belt installation.
Do I need a new header or exhaust?
A header and high flow exhaust system improve horsepower and torque by reducing backpressure on the engine. The FFS kit works with a stock exhaust and stock header, but they are restrictive and leave some power on the table. A clogged or restrictive stock catalytic converter is the most common restriction found when running the stock exhaust.
The FFS System
How difficult is the engine-management wiring?
The engine-management cards come prewired to a plug-in harness specific to the selected model year. The E-Cool™ connection is also plug-and-play.
Is the engine management already tuned?
Yes. The plug-and-play engine-management system is configured and pre-tuned for the model year and Standard Kit configuration selected with the order.
What is the Standard Kit pulley ratio?
All Standard Kits ship with a 115mm crank pulley and a 65mm TVS900 pulley. This combination produces 10 psi boost.
Does the kit include a cold-air intake and filter?
Yes. The Standard Kit includes the correct FFS cold-air intake, aluminum air box, and High Flow K&N Air Filter for the selected application.
How does E-Cool™ differ from an intercooler?
E-Cool™ adds fuel ahead of the supercharger for both the additional fuel capacity and evaporative charge cooling. It is integrated with the FFS engine-management system and is not a conventional air-to-air or water-to-air intercooler.
Can older engine-management cards be updated?
The hardware stays the same, but the operating system and tuning files have been revised over time. Contact FFS if you have an older set of cards and would like to have them updated.
Ownership
What maintenance does the supercharger system require?
Replace the serpentine belt every 50,000 miles and the supercharger oil every 100,000 miles. Both are available from FFS.
What fuel should I use for track driving?
FFS strongly recommends running 100-octane race fuel when operating the car on a track.
Will the car be noisier?
The system is quiet during normal driving and becomes more noticeable at wide-open throttle. The intake filter muffles much of the supercharger sound.
What is the warranty?
All FFS supercharger kits include a 1-year warranty. Professional installation is recommended but is not required to maintain warranty coverage when the kit is installed correctly.