I am looking for some guidence from the land of GRM in regards to a way to gain power for my '90 Miata. For roughly the same price I can source either a jackson racing racing supercharger or '99 1.8 motor. Which would you choose adn why? This is for autocross/fun car (former track car also until I got my Spec Miata)
Of course the dream would be to supercharge the '99 motor (ok actually it would be to add an LS........)
Which nets you the greater power/torque gain? Without looking up numbers, I'd have thought the supercharger.
I agree with Luke, but also wonder about the condition of the original engine. No fun putting a supercharger on it and having it die next week...
1.6L Miata motors are cheap. Boost it. If it breaks, new one.
Have you considered a turbo instead of the JR supercharger?
I would rather the 1.8 swap than the JRSC.
Now, if you were to do a "real" supercharger, then i might change my mind.
After having driven my 1.6 supercharged MINI for the last 4 years, I know what I'd do. Having the nice wide, flat torque curve is entertaining.
Where is Jackson Racing's supercharger for the '90-'93 1.6 miata? Link? I can't find one...
IIRC the Jackson Racing supercharger setup is really prone to heat soak. I also remember it being fairly low powered compared to a turbo car. Turbocharge that little bugger to about 200whp and enjoy.
I would imagine with a little creative and junkyard shopping a turbo would be the cheapest way to go.
Step 1- swap for 1.8l motor, those are cheap.
Step 2- Add junkyard turbo (check with the DSM guys, half the time they are literally throwing turbos away)
Step 3- ?????
Step 4- Profit!
Osterkraut wrote: 1.6L Miata motors are cheap. Boost it. If it breaks, new one.
My thought exactly, and I have a spare 1.6 in the garage already
RossD wrote: Where is Jackson Racing's supercharger for the '90-'93 1.6 miata? Link? I can't find one...
http://www.octanemotorsports.com/p2229/90-93-Mazda-Miata-SuperCharger-System-by-Jackson-Racing/product_info.html
Looks like a lot of money for 140-150whp. 
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Looks like a lot of money for 140-150whp.
A brand new miata would be the definition of a lot of money for not much power, during any of the decades it has been produced.
You'll get more power and torque with the supercharger, but it's all you'll ever get out of it. That little blower is perfectly sized for 6 psi on a 1.6 (which is what it was designed for), but runs out of puff really quickly if you try to push it any further.
The 1.8, on the other hand, can have all sorts of terrible things done to it down the road. It's not going to be as quick right out of the box as the super, but it has a better upgrade path. So it depends on what you're planning on doing later.
As for super vs turbo, here's my experience with that blower.
The only advantage to the supercharger is if you have to pass california emissions. CARB no likey aftermarket tarboboostas.
HiTempguy wrote:92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Looks like a lot of money for 140-150whp.A brand new miata would be the definition of a lot of money for not much power, during any of the decades it has been produced.
Agreed, but not really the point...
THIS is what a supercharged miata should be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Hmo71Nm5o
From the seller's ad, this thing made 275whp @ 16psi, and around 350whp @ 26psi.
26psi M62'd 1.8? Don't mind if i do!
Thats weird that other websites that sell JR superchargers for miatas don't seem to carry that one (at least not very often).
That didn't appear to accelerate like it had 275whp.
^ Pretty sure that was in top gear, don't recall a downshift or anything. It was more about the noise than anything to me.
ReverendDexter wrote: The only advantage to the supercharger is if you have to pass california emissions. CARB no likey aftermarket tarboboostas.
Not necessarily true. FM doesn't sell any turbo systems with CARB approval at the moment, but there are a couple of options.
"Big Gulp" had some pretty aggressive claims about the power output of that car. Moving 350 rwhp worth of air through an MP62 is beyond what most people would consider possible. But a wound-up supercharger does sound pretty cool.
This is a complete hijack BUT
Miata vs Viper at NASA Mid-Ohio Qualifying http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYWRy6G60BM
The fun begins at the 1:30 mark.
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Looks like a lot of money for 140-150whp.
With the two deals I have found I can do either for around $1000.....
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