How did you choose?

[juxt3r]

So, you've got a blower or a snail shell under the hood. How did you choose one over the other? Were you going for total cost, greatest reliability, ease of install, power potential, or maybe power delivery?

How have your plans panned out thus far as relate to your initial expectations? Any unexpected failures of the transmission or diff? Excessive use of tires/brake pads? Wish you'd gone the other way? Thousands beyond the initial budget?

I'm looking for your basic thoughts at this point, as I'm considering parting or selling my sleeper wagon and throwing some money at the Miata. It's either that, or simply buy a more refined, more modern version of the wagon (MS3 or 9-2X).

[Titus]

So, you've got a blower or a snail shell under the hood. How did you choose one over the other?

When I decided that I wanted boost, I wanted something with a low entry price that I could build up over time. This meant a Jackson Racing M45 or a Greddy turbo kit. I started leaning toward the supercharger when someone told me "If a turbo fails, you are left on the side of the road. If a supercharger fails, you pull the belt off and drive home." I realize this is a naive comparison, but I didn't know much about FI back in those days, so it stuck in my head. Not long after that, I visited a Mazda junk yard to see if they had any yellow Miatas for parts. The guy said, "yep... just got one in, but the front half of the car is toast... turbo caught the car on fire." Again, I didn't know a thing about FI, so I asked a few people if they had heard of turbos catching on fire, and I was told, "yeah... it happens every once in a while." I couldn't find anyone who had ever heard of a supercharger catching a car on fire. That was when I decided the supercharger was for me.

Were you going for total cost, greatest reliability, ease of install, power potential, or maybe power delivery?

Cost, reliability.

How have your plans panned out thus far as relate to your initial expectations?

Exceeded expectations.

Any unexpected failures of the transmission or diff?

I put an ACT stage 1 clutch in in anticipation of going FI. I worried about my 1.6 diff for 2 years under boost. After dynoing 185 at the wheels, I figured I had pushed my luck for long enough, so I swapped in a torsen from a 1.8.

Excessive use of tires/brake pads?

The rear tires wear a little faster now. I upgraded to 1.8 brakes, but never have had problems with excessive brake pad wear.

Wish you'd gone the other way?

I have to admit that I am curios about turbo from time to time. I do know that I like my supercharger more than the 2 lower power turbo miatas I have been in, but I have never been in one with 200+ hp. If I had an endless supply of cash, I might consider an FM turbo. I honestly have not asked guys like Sharpie for a ride, because I am afraid it may make me jealous. If I was to do it again, I would probably try to drive as many different setups as I could before taking the leap.

Thousands beyond the initial budget?

Nope... I have stayed pretty close to the original plan. I think the only parts that I have added beyond my initial budget is gauges and a WBO2.

[Sharpie]

I took my drivers test in a turbo Samurai. Dad has turbo miatas, I just followed his lead.

I found a deal that was too good to pass up. The only real unexpected cost was almost 500 bucks to rebuild the turbo. I did do the clutch/flywheel, later came an FM exhaust, (you could hear the exhaust restriction with the Borla) followed later by aluminum radiator and spal fans to keep her cool.

I haven't had an issue with the differential at all. When it goes, I'll find a Torsen. Did you sell the 92?

[juxt3r]

Thanks for your input, guys! I was hoping you two would chime in with your thoughts. Don't be surprised if I ask for ride-alongs at some point, as I'm very torn between a turbo and a screaming roots blower.

I haven't had an issue with the differential at all. When it goes, I'll find a Torsen. Did you sell the 92?

Yup, sold the '92 about a month ago to a longtime friend.
Ever get the hole in the floorpan fixed from when I kept pressing the passenger-side brake pedal?

[Sharpie]

Ever get the hole in the floorpan fixed from when I kept pressing the passenger-side brake pedal?

You felt it at it's strongest I would say. It was running strong that day. I never did get your check to fix the floorpan

[icepenguin66]

Being a member at Hallett and racing in their in house series, we went with the supercharger on the track car for several reasons:

1st cost - we picked up a used JR unit for cheap

2nd reliability - Especially after seeing Gary from Track Dog and Keith Verges' (MSR big wig) turbo SM car at the track numerous times, I saw the problems with road racing a turbo car. Gary never has problems directly related to the FI. Keith on the other hand has cracked turbo manifolds, downpipes, intake pipes, and constant heat problems despite all the "speed holes" he added!

3rd I just like the sound of the supercharger over a turbo, expecially with an extreamly loud bypass valve!

[trackdog]

Something about hearing the high pitch sound increase as the RPM's increase is addictive. Even more so at the RPM's we turn. An SC car is maintenance free other than tightening the belt once in a while, along with checking you other drive belts for good measure. You can get a lot of power out of an SC pass the power level of the rest of your drive train.

Power delivery is more useable in a SC car, no expected power boosting. I do like that feature of a turbo car, but it worrys me if you have a high powered turbo car and let you someone drive that is not familar with your car. With an SC car, I am at around 280 HP, anyone can drive it.

If you do have a SC problem, 3 bolts from the top and it is in your hands. Maintenance, reliablility, simplicity, installation, driveability and performance upgrades you can install yourself easily are a few good reasons.

Let us know if we can help.

Gary

[mk2tmr2]

Everything Gary said.

I chose based on availability (got a used MP62), reliability and power delivery.

I couldn't be happier. Well...maybe with a couple more pounds of boost

[SirHustlerEsq]

I bought the turbo because you can't get a "no electronics kit" or anything for a swapped 1.8 in a 1.6 car. Hopefully it will be reliable. If not, I'll sell off the kit and buy a blower. If cast parts are cracking, even though they should be replaced for free, then I'd select a different manufacturer.