Kraftwerks Supercharger

[Darius]

Currently investigating options on Supercharging my 98NB and the Kraftwerks Miata seems like a great deal for a complete bolt on package with their SuperCard Engine Management Unit. After some googling and searching though, I can't find info on anyone thats imported, installed and used one in Aus. Does anyone know people in Aus that have used this kit?

My other option for Supercharging was the Bullet Cars Kit from the guys on the goldcoast. This kit looks fantastic, but really expensive.. the drive in, drive out cost comes to about $8k with ECU.

My NBs internals are all completely stock.

Thoughts?

[wun911]

has anyone done the bullet one, Im more inclined to do walk in walk out as my machanical skills are poor.

[Darius]

I believe that 16bit may have done the bullet one, just search for his name in this stick thread at the top. My mechanical skills are also lacking, so if I was to do the Kraftwerks kit, i'd get a professional to install it.

[Benny]

8K sounds very reasonable for a drive in, drive out price especially if it includes tuning and warranty of some sort.

As long as you keep the boost under 8lbs, the engine will take it well, as will the rest of the driveline, although you may want to think about putting in a LSD as well later on.

[Sailor]

Have you looked at the BEGI systems?
http://www.bellengineering.net/index.php?cPath=5_11_49

[Darius]

Thanks for the responses Benny and Sailor.

Have you looked at the BEGI systems?
http://www.bellengineering.net/index.php?cPath=5_11_49

Yes I had a brief look at their systems, but I was after more of a "bolt on" package with as few as parts as possible (less things to go wrong and easier to resell if need be). The Rotrex based supercharger kits seemed to fit that bill the best from my google kungfu Now I just need to find someone in Aus who's tried the Kraftwerks kit!

[timk]

It looks the goods. If I were to do it all again I'd try it. Perhaps download the installation instructions and have a look for potential RHD specific problems?

[Darius]

It looks the goods. If I were to do it all again I'd try it. Perhaps download the installation instructions and have a look for potential RHD specific problems?

Thanks for the heads up on the right hand drive issue saboteur, I hadn't even thought about that. Just fired off an email to Kraftwerks to see if they've sold any to Aussie customers and if they're aware of any such issues.

Anyone know the going rate for a super charger installation? I was guessing around 1k?

[Oni]

Depends on alot of things, mainly what you expect comes with "installation". IMO a installation should include a dyno tune and a warranty of some sort. That said u should bank on 8-20 man hours for the install, a few hundred for dyno time and then there would be test drives etc to make sure its all working correctly with good street manner.I would put that in the range of $1200 for labor/300-400 for a few hours dyno time/then $$ for any warranty they might have to cover.

That kinda installation could run u 2k or more. esp if there learning to do it on ur car and havent done one previously.
Personally i think that if your skills arent up to par to install one of the kits yourself ( remember there made to be installed with basic hand tools by an adverage person ) expect to be paying alot for other peoples services, not only do they charge for they work they do they need to charge for the work they may potentually have to do becuase they cant be 100% sure everything will run smoothly after its out of there hand. 8k for a turnkey is cheap as chips IMO if the above is included. i would be very iffy about even taking it out of there hands without dyno proof that A/f is in the ball park.

The thing is though you can encounter things later on that you dont know are problems and potentually blow ur stuff up. Does the kit come with a wideband 02? ( not so importaint if its dyno tuned and u trust the operator). with a modification like this there are alot of new variables that come into play, i dont think that i would even trust a turn key setup to just jump in and go have a play in. Just need to weigh up the costs etc. 8K is alot, esp when u start looking at cars that u can buy factory turbo for that for less, my mate just got a porsche 924 turbo and it will be mint for under 8k.

Im not trying to put you off, but unless you are totally set on a supercharger and a turnkey there may be better options out there ESP if you want to have it installed then just drive it like you always have.

[bruce]

By the sounds of things, no one locally is using them. You will be a pioneer and it will be an experiment, as no one has experience in tuning it. Expect to pay big bucks for an installation which may or may not work properly.
It would be so much easier to go for a turbo kit.

[Darius]

Thanks for the feedback Oni, i'll definitely heed your advice.

IMO a installation should include a dyno tune and a warranty of some sort. That said u should bank on 8-20 man hours for the install, a few hundred for dyno time and then there would be test drives etc to make sure its all working correctly with good street manner.I would put that in the range of $1200 for labor/300-400 for a few hours dyno time/then $$ for any warranty they might have to cover.

According to the info listed on the 949racing site, the kit should take - '2 hour install with hand tools, on the ground. No drilling or permanent modifications neccesary'. It's something I could do myself, but for peace of mind i'd probably get a professional to do it. The dyno time also appears minimal, as the 'Kraftwerks SuperCard' takes care of a lot of that according to their site.

By the sounds of things, no one locally is using them. You will be a pioneer and it will be an experiment, as no one has experience in tuning it. Expect to pay big bucks for an installation which may or may not work properly.
It would be so much easier to go for a turbo kit.

Your probably right there Bruce. Most of the reason for me starting this thread was to see if anyone else has tried it, the kit just looks very promising and as such, I thought someone must know someone who's given it a shot around here. The only turbo's i'm aware of are AVO's, would you recommend investigating those?

[rhysk]

my mate just got a porsche 924 turbo and it will be mint for under 8k.

Friends don't let friends buy 924's

[Ando]

my mate just got a porsche 924 turbo and it will be mint for under 8k.

Friends don't let friends buy 924's

Bawhahahaha!!

[trader]

I've been following the rotrex for some time now and have just about given up on it. I was looking at it for a 1.6 though. In my enquiries initially K/W said no dice because of the fuel maps etc and you would need to get it tuned.. Oscar then came to the fore and said that yes their kit would fit the Aussie R/H car (in fact I reckon it would be a better fit with more room for intake ductwork) but tuning would need to be verified in each country (whatever that means!). Sounds to me like it is still a long way off. For that reason I have started to collect bits to go turbo which is going to be a lot cheaper than the rotrex and should even have enough left over get it engineered. The only big disadvantage as I see it in the turbo is the heat in the engine bay. From what I have read, turbo's will spool up quicker but not as smooth as rotrex. Bullet is not going to do the rotrex kit for a 1.6 as no demand. Collecting bits for the turbo is fun and I've picked up a lot of knowledge from this site - thanks guys.