I just found a good deal on a used supercharger for my Miata

I found someone selling there high mileage Jackson Racing M45 supercharger. Its currently installed on his 1999. I will be installing it into my 1992, once I swap in the 1.8 I have. But Im very confused on everything so far. What sort of management is required? Since my car will have a 1.6 computer, running the 1.8, should I get a power card for a 1.6? He may already be including a power card, but it would be for a NB. What, if any, is the difference between a supercharger for a 1.8 and a 1.6? I may put this supercharger on the engine thats currently in the car. Does anyone have an install manual for this supercharger, for any of the years?

I need some lessons in boost!!!

Joey

I don't think the two would be compatible? 99 is NB 92 is NA? try the forced induction forum on miata.net

It would be compatible since he is swapping to a 1.8.

Any chance of running Megasquirt? You can find them used on miataturbo.net or pick up a kit to build your own for relatively cheap. I got my used PNP for $400.

Your 1.6 ECU needs a different type of Powercard than a 1.8 - it's got paired injectors instead of sequential. I don't think there are a lot of differences in the SC install if you're running a 1.8 already, but check with Moss Motors and see if they can provide what you need.

The M45 is a bit of a limited blower. It's good for about 150 rwhp. Trying to push it past that gets expensive in a hurry. Accept it for what it is and don't go crazy trying to chase another 5 hp.

Keith wrote: Your 1.6 ECU needs a different type of Powercard than a 1.8 - it's got paired injectors instead of sequential. I don't think there are a lot of differences in the SC install if you're running a 1.8 already, but check with Moss Motors and see if they can provide what you need. The M45 is a bit of a limited blower. It's good for about 150 rwhp. Trying to push it past that gets expensive in a hurry. Accept it for what it is and don't go crazy trying to chase another 5 hp.

Right! The price for this setup is so good I couldn't pass it up. Thanks for the info.

I'd the power card necessary? Megasquirt would be awesome, is it really that simple? Still keeping Miata drive ability?

Joey

joey48442 wrote: Megasquirt would be awesome, is it really that simple? Still keeping Miata drive ability? Joey

There is a small learning curve, but if you're good at reading and following instructions its awesome.

I found this: http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_articles/how_to_megasquirt_your_mazda_miata.htm

good luck!

http://trackdogracing.com/website/jrsc_m45.htm

Gary at TrackDog has been extremely helpful getting my used kit sorted out, as far as what I have and what I need.

FWIW, I have a CARB legal 1.6 Powercard that I won't need. Let me know if you have any interest.

mark

Driveability is the weak point of those blowers in my opinion. They can be difficult to sort out for idle and to prevent stalling when coming up to a stop sign. Typically you have to run a higher idle to keep it happy.

The powercard specifically may not be necessary, but you have to do something for fuel. Megasquirt is the most difficult route - if you have a 1.6 throttle body on your 1.8 engine, you'll probably want to swap the 1.8 throttle body back in. And with a Megasquirt (or any other programmable ECU), you are responsible for everything. Cold start, idle - that's the hard stuff. A setup that leaves that in the hands of the stock computer will be easier to set up.

mthomson22 wrote: http://trackdogracing.com/website/jrsc_m45.htm Gary at TrackDog has been extremely helpful getting my used kit sorted out, as far as what I have and what I need. FWIW, I have a CARB legal 1.6 Powercard that I won't need. Let me know if you have any interest. mark

PM coming your way!

Joey

I didn't have much trouble getting my Megasquirt started. Cold start and idle took about 5 minutes to smooth out. Granted I am using the PNP version but if you built it yourself you could still load the maps and settings from the PNP.

There is a learning curve and I am still learning and fine-tuning but it has been running (mostly) reliably since the install. The only problems I have had are with faulty sensors.

The factory ECU with powercard would be easier but nowhere near the tuning ability.

Mthompson22, I'm very interested! And Keith, it wasn't my first choice, but it is soooo cheap I couldn't lose!

Thanks for the advice guys.

Joey

Well, I brought home my used supercharger! For an extra 50 bucks I got a Jackson racing header. So for 300 bucks I got the supercharger , all the parts, and a power card.

Any idea what the differences would be to set this up on a 1.6, being that it was from a 1.8?

Joey

I believe you need some different brackets to mount the SC. I'm pretty sure you'll need a different powercard - if memory serves, it'll detect the fact that there are two pairs of injectors instead of four individual ones as an error.

$50 for a JR header is a good deal. Check it carefully for cracks before you install.

Keith wrote: ..And with a Megasquirt (or any other programmable ECU), you are responsible for everything. Cold start, idle - that's the hard stuff. A setup that leaves that in the hands of the stock computer will be easier to set up.

LISTEN TO THIS MAN.

Long ago I turbo'ed a Miata and went with a megasquirt. The cold start, idle, decel idle, AC idle advancer, all of this you'll have to learn and adjust for. Imo, it's just not worth it. If you can use a piggyback or something that allows the stock cpu to handle those chores, do it.

Otherwise you're stuck in the exciting world of idle pot settings, cold start enrichment ratios, etc. BORING crap when all you want is to tune for max boost.

Keith wrote: Driveability is the weak point of those blowers in my opinion. They can be difficult to sort out for idle and to prevent stalling when coming up to a stop sign. Typically you have to run a higher idle to keep it happy. The powercard specifically may not be necessary, but you have to do something for fuel. Megasquirt is the most difficult route - if you have a 1.6 throttle body on your 1.8 engine, you'll probably want to swap the 1.8 throttle body back in. And with a Megasquirt (or any other programmable ECU), you are responsible for everything. Cold start, idle - that's the hard stuff. A setup that leaves that in the hands of the stock computer will be easier to set up.

so, I can run a 1.8 throttle body with a 1.6 computer? I didnt think you could do that.

Joey

Not with a stock 1.6 computer. But pretty much any of the aftermarket ones, and I know the megasquirt in particular prefers it. So does the Hydra. You get a better signal off the later TPS.

Keith wrote: Not with a stock 1.6 computer. But pretty much any of the aftermarket ones, and I know the megasquirt in particular prefers it. So does the Hydra. You get a better signal off the later TPS.

I see.

So, I'm told I need a wideband o2 sensor. I guess that tells me about my air fuel mixture. So then, what do I do with that info? How do I adjust the computer accordingly? With the power card? Also, timing. I've heard with the early systems you backed the timing off to 6 btdc, but you can also you an msd box to reduce timing as boost comes on?

This is all very weird for me...

Joey

You adjust the air/fuel mixture with whatever you've installed to control the air/fuel mixture. If you have a Powercard, that's what you use. If you have a Megasquirt, it's done through the ECU.

You can simply retard the base timing. The MSD box (out of production I believe, but Flyin' Miata has some) lets you run unchanged base timing for better cruise efficiency and response off-boost, and dials back the timing in response to boost.

Not to sound like a shill, but I think you might find this useful too: How to Build a High Performance Mazda Miata. It's not going to give you everything you need to know to tune a Megasquirt, but it'll give you the basics you need to put this car together.

Ah ok. I didn't realize the power card could do that. The one that came with it, for a 1.8 computer, has no adjustments. Apparently the 1.6 does?

Joey

CARB legal PowerCards are unadjustable. The others are to my knowledge.

mthomson22 wrote: CARB legal PowerCards are unadjustable. The others are to my knowledge.

Ah, so possibly yours is not what I need? What is your setup? 1.8? 1.6 computer? Management?

Joey

1.6 engine/ecu. I'm selling the CARB PC because it does not allow for any fueling adjustments.

I also have an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, which I may use due to its simplicity.

I have the MSD/Sebring to retard timing under boost also.

mthomson22 wrote: 1.6 engine/ecu. I'm selling the CARB PC because it does not allow for any fueling adjustments. I also have an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, which I may use due to its simplicity. I have the MSD/Sebring to retard timing under boost also.

Ah... Do you think the carb pc will be enough for me? I don't need to get every last hp out the car, but I don't want it to hurt itself either. If I use the carb pc, having a wideband o2 would be pointless, as I wouldn't be able to do anything with the info...? Does the adjustable fuel regulator take the place of the power card?

Thanks!

Joey

In reply to Keith:

Don't worry about shilling your own book, I just had my friend order me a copy! (I'm on the road right now) I already own the other two Miata books from you.

Joey

I wouldn't think that JR would release the CARB PC if it could do damage, but I'd ask others who have/are using it.

The AFPR was the original fuel control option. It adds fuel by limiting fuel rail outflow, effectively creating higher fuel rail pressure and more fuel per injector cycle.