FFS questions

[gforcemiata]

I've been reading the posts on the miata.net forum and here and I'm seriously considering getting the FFS kit. I got a few questions that I hope can be answered.

I read through the installtion manual and notice that the fitler and maf gets moved to the bottom of the car (next to the steering rack). I'm worry that the filter might suck up water (during raining seasons). Is that the best location for it and can it be moved? Also, does the engine (at idle and cruising) sound any different with the SC installed? I mean, does it have the SC whining noise during idle and cruising (part thottle). I know at WOT will have the whining sound.

I also notice that most people with the FFS kit have NBs. Do NA owners prefer other kits? BTW, i have a 95 and live in Los Angeles. One last thing, can a tower bar clear the FFS kit in the NA?

Danny.

[Banshee]

There's a couple of pictures of people (Zigzag?) that autocross their miata in standing water, no problems. The plastic shield keeps it quite dry.

There's no whine until you step on it. Nothing at idle or cruise. The whine is quite addicting. Sometimes I get on it just to hear it.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I wouldn't drive through a flod but I have drive through some pretty high standing water. Like Banshee said. Works fine.

Roughly 15% of the kits are 94-97 (NA) and 65% are 99/00 and 20% are 01-05.

NA's have a real dadvantage for building power with the 9:1 compression ratio.

[chuckerants]

Gforce,

What part of LA are you in? I just came back from a week in OC and I may be back again in September.

Though I have the first "prototype" FFS Hotside, you may get a good idea what the power level feels like - currently at 202 HP.

Chuck

[ThomS]

There can be problems if you are not a mechanic, like I am not. But of all the SC systems out there I like the cold side from FFS the best and Tom will always be there for you . Just a phone call away. But if it is installed excatly the way should be and you double check everthing, you will be fine in this FFS family.

[gforcemiata]

thanks for the replies, this helps alot. What kind of HP figures are you getting on the 94-97? I saw the dyno chart on your site, is that from a completely stock engine with no other mods (exhaust, headers?)?

chuckerants - I'm about 10 mins north of downtown LA. I would love to come by and check out the FFS system.

Danny.

[chuckerants]

thanks for the replies, this helps alot. What kind of HP figures are you getting on the 94-97? I saw the dyno chart on your site, is that from a completely stock engine with no other mods (exhaust, headers?)?

chuckerants - I'm about 10 mins north of downtown LA. I would love to come by and check out the FFS system.

Danny.

I'll let you know when I'll be in town again.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

And I was in Thousand Oaks and Goleta and LA. We could have met up as well.

[raceskier]

Danny,

I'm in Manhattan Beach. PM me if you want to take a look at my Coldside. I share your concern for the intake gulping water. Some of the streets around here have 6 inches plus of standing water when it rains hard. I drive my OTM on those days. Mathrips did this with the intake: http://brpforum.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/37960994/m/3791078402 J_Man has an NA M45 coldside, he's also in the LA area. Don't recall if there is a NA MP62 Coldside/ffs around. I would say off boost, you can't tell the SC is there. I seem to recall some ffs STB fit issues on the NA, as there is an additional spacer on the IM, increasing the height of the top of the SC.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

There are two NA FFS coldsides over there. Philip has one up and running in Riverside and Steve (Gearheads Garage) is in the install process. No STB issues on the NA. The first one hit the underside of the hood but that was immediately corrected with a thinner spacer between the SC and IM plate. No known factory parts interferrence issues.

[gforcemiata]

raceskier -thanks for the link, this gives me ideas of what I can do if i don't like the low intake location. I will PM you to meet up.

Tom, is there any maintenance that you have to do with the SC? Also, does the JR pwr card take care of all the timing and fueling issue? What about the CAS timing?

Danny.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

We run stock timing. Haven't found a need to cut timing as yet. Just add fuel via the stock injectors and the 5th. and drive.

We don't have any maintenance scheduled tasks for the SC. I think checking the oil after a couple months is a good thing. It is like a tranny, it should be right at the fill hole. Sometimes they weep at the shaft wjhen new for a bit and might drop the level some but not much. Other than that, the air filter is the only maintenance item.

[ThomS]

We run stock timing. Haven't found a need to cut timing as yet. Just add fuel via the stock injectors and the 5th. and drive.

We don't have any maintenance scheduled tasks for the SC. I think checking the oil after a couple months is a good thing. It is like a tranny, it should be right at the fill hole. Sometimes they weep at the shaft wjhen new for a bit and might drop the level some but not much. Other than that, the air filter is the only maintenance item.
Tom This might be a stupid question but what fill hole?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

The small plug just to the side of the shaft. You drain and refill the SC oil there. On coldsides and Coldsides, it is just to the left of the shaft. On hotsides, it is just to the right.

[sinuous]

And what is the recommended oil ?

Thanks,
Jared.

[Banshee]

liquid gold.

Seriously, that's how much it cost.

I think you can get it at a GM dealership. $35 I think. ask for "Supercharger oil"

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I believe even Ford sells "Genuine GM supercharger oil". Probably the only product they carry with GM on the label.

[ThomS]

The small plug just to the side of the shaft. You drain and refill the SC oil there. On coldsides and Coldsides, it is just to the left of the shaft. On hotsides, it is just to the right.
Did you put oil in it before it was shipped?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

They come filled from the factory.

[Dr Evol]

I bought some GM Supercharger oil at the GM dealership yesterday. Is was under $7 for 4 fl. oz.

I just topped off my oil and used about 3 1/2 ounces to get it back to level. This was after 3,800 miles on the supercharger.

Does anyone know the capicity of the supercharger's oil supply? I would like to know how far down I was before I refilled it.

[Dr Evol]

Bump. Anyone know the MP62's oil capacity?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

There is only one that I know of. "GM Supercharger Oil". Even Ford sells the same thing with the same name.

BTW, they will all seem a little low when you do it the first time. Magnuson fills it with a fixed amount and that is shy of coming out the hole with the SC flat on a table. With the coldside, it is tilted to the left so the fluid which makes it appear to have even less as it is off to one side. Don't be too concerned if it takes a couple ounces to get it up to the fill hole.

They all appear to 'weep' a bit until the shaft polishes in. The worst case is the system with fixed tensioners and belts that are tight at rest. They put a lot of side load on the bearing.

[raceskier]

This got me curious, so I Googled "supercharger oil". I found a number of reccomendations for changing the SC oil as a maintenence item at anything from 15 to 30K mi. Also someone who said they spoke to Magnuson and got the recommendation to replace the nose drive gears at 60K mi.

Tom,

Can you verify any of these recommendations?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I do believe Magnuson recommends 60K. For me with cross country trips, that would be every other month, I think. :)

The best thing is every couple oil changes on the car, check the SC oil and top it off. A lot depends on how you drive it. More agressive, check more often.