JR SC v FF SC - Bang for your Buck?

[Fuzzlet]

I wanted to supercharge my car when I first bought it, but as I was wanting a fair amount of power, I was told to avoid the JR chargers (FFS werent around at that stage). I had them described to me as \"a bolt on mod for the older generation that dont want something fast, just something with a little more torque for the hills of the freeway\".....

[tk421]

Hi,
I wanting to SC my 5, but i'm not sure which road to go down?
Jackson Racing or Fast Forward?
Price looks about the same from Mania (JR) and Fast Forward shipped.
Does anyone know much about these SC's , pros & cons etc..
Thanks.

Cheers,
Justin.

Price is about $1300 USD more for the FFS last time I looked at the JR($2400 odd) price. I presume you are talking about the eaton based kit and not the new rotrax based one?

Fuzzlet is right with what he is saying but based on this assumption here is some comment from the conversations I have had on the subject over the last 18 months or so

JR

With the basic fuel solution supplied with the kit it doesn't like idling. If you put a full computer on it will be a lot better in this respect, however a full computer is quite a decent sized expense on top of the kit and will involve reasonable dyno time to get correctly configured depending on which one you use.

The pullies supplied with the standard kit are by all reports rubbish. Meaning that you will have to order some decent ones for it when you buy it. This is a couple of hundred USD on top expense.

Being a hotside the jackson can be intercooled, however the blower has trouble producing more than 8 -10 psi boost because its fairly small. So whilst a benefit hp wise it can't be fully utilised

Mania's comment to me on the jackson is that by the time you spent money on all the bits that should have come with it in the first place it will be as expensive as all the more expensive kits, and probably not as good.

I have heard of an intercooled Jackson producing 116kw (6psi boost) with the basic powercard solution (and the owner was happy with it). I also know of another that has a intercooler and a full computer that has 130 rw kw (and the owner was much happier with it after he ditched the powercard- boost not known to me). So clearly they can be successfull but the kit makes you work for it. There are plenty of sob stories on the jackson on miata.net from people that just gave up in disgust. Personally that kept me away from it.

FFS Coldside

Its significantly more expensive but its a better thought out kit

It sits on the other side on its own inlet manifold. There is a very short path from the throttle body to blower to pistons. As a result throttle response is reportedly immediate.

It can't be intercooled, however it comes with an auxliary fuel system that works really well

It comes with by all reports a good fuel solution, the powercard pro (not a full computer but it does what its supposed to - keep the AFR steady and maintain - not add to - emissions). Idle behaviours and smoothness supposed to be great

The kit comes with a fifth injector that allows it to run more boost (10-12 psi).

The kit is based on a MP 62 supercharger that is bigger than the Jackson M45, therefore its capacity for more boost is much higher

The kit has 140-150rw kw in standard config (though yes yet to be proven on an Australian car ). There is some room for more boost = bigger pulley on earlier cars (2000 and earlier) but not on an NB8B (2001 or later right?)

The kit comes with the best set of pulleys available. 6 rib belt and an auto tensioner. No tracking issues whatsoever. Belts will last as long as your timing belt.

The kit is designed to achieve the stated power level consistently. A claim that Jackson cannot match (seems to be a bit of variation there)

As a result of having more hp a new radiator / clutch may be higher on your list of mods (the jackson has less therefore your old bits will cope better)

As the purchaser of the coldside I can report that Tom is great bloke to deal with and is only to happy to assist with any problems. I have no doubt that his willingness to chat on the phone /reply to mails will be of great assistance to Mania who are installing my kit. Being in Arizona 9:00am our time is 4:00pm yesterday their time meaning he can be talked to during daylight

[tk421]

To me its a no brainer, ANY mp62 based kit is better value than the Jackson kit. There is another kit marketed by Moss motorsport that has been linked to recently in the engines forum. You may consider this one as well as the FFS. I was surprise but it looks alright. It uses the PC Pro computer as well but does not run a fifth injector I think so therefore has less hp. It is however around 600 odd USD cheaper.

There is another kit marketed by www.stageonetuning.com. They just can't seem to get their fuel system sorted out, personally I would keep away from them. They seem to have quite a few frustrated customers.

If you are considering the FFS coldside please make sure you read Chris P's thread in general chat. There is important info there re shipping costs and duty etc that you must factor into your purchase. That info is obviously useful whichever kit you choose to go for.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Steve

[Fuzzlet]

Its funny how had the FFS charger come out 12 months ago, I would of gone with it rather than turboing...wouldnt of saved any money though, the engine needed a rebuild.

[scb]

I have a Jackson Supercharger on my NA. It puts out between 105 - 110 KWs on the dyno with the 6psi pulley (not the pulley that came with the kit from the bits left over). Not mind blowing performance but enough to make things interesting. I have not done anything with the setup since I bought it. When I see the receipts of what was spent I am glad I bought one with mods made.

The mods made include:
1. the supercharger itself
2. a stand alone ECU - adaptronic
3. bigger injectors
4. after market jackson racing fuel pump
5. upgraded clutch
6. dyno tuning - mine is running a bit rich since I bought it and you are looking around $130 per hour to tune
7. compliance plate - very easy in Queensland

No intercooler at this stage and the standard radiator is up to the job (once the registration plate was inverted to let more air in). I have a long shopping list before I go for a smaller pulley and intercooler including mortgage; LSD; suspension; rollbar; upgrade brakes......

Goodluck SCB

[marcusus]

has anyone gone for the FF supercharger...

tk421 (aka Steve) has successfully installed it in his car. I went for a blat in it briefly when it first got put in, but this was a while ago now. I haven't seen him kicking about on the forums for quite some time, but he might pop in again if you're lucky. Alternatively, just hunt around for some of his posts regarding his car and you should see some of his comments on it all.

[sliq]

i was reading some other thread on here, chris P has a FFS on his.

[Adam_NAclubman]

If you're not completely anti-turbo the base BEGi kit could be a cost-effective way to go, just add an intercooler and maybe a fuel pump and injectors that you could source locally