MartinT

First Impressions There is torque everywhere, especially noticeable from low revs when in a gear higher than I was used to being in. It's not the shove that I felt in my old twin-turbo diesel, but then it persists and persists to a glorious full wail at high revs. The responses are immediate but progressive and controlling it even in the wet doesn't cause surprises. The supercharger itself is so quiet as to be barely there and, unlike my previous Sprintex, there is just the sound of rushing wind at high revs telling me that induction is being forced. The exhaust note, however, is more liable to be noisy when acceleration is demanded at low revs (this may be especially with the UEL manifold). Cruising on the motorway is no louder than before. There is a lack of smoothness just above idle when pootling in traffic - it's a matter of learning the new throttle response which can feel a little on/off at first. This is where the map feels most different from before. Overall, the car feels like it wants to go at any opportunity and advanced planning for certain overtakes just isn't required any more. The installation looks very OEM, you could easily believe that the car came like this from the factory. Pros Torque across the rev range Fast responses Lovely acceleration note at high revs Overtaking in 5th brings a smile every time Feels genuinely rapid now Cons The exhaust note can be anti-social when giving it pedal at low revs Difficult to be smooth in stop/start traffic

Yes, it works fine. I didn't know this but Abbey supply and fit TD manifolds on request.

I added to the post: the before curves are for a stock car. Yes, my torque dip was already eradicated by the TD NA kit. I can't compare like with like because of the completely different dynos.

This doesn't show all the runs but is the best one to show power and torque (at the wheels). 262whp (=300bhp), 204lb.ft torque (=276nm). The comparison lines are for a stock car. No other mods today, just the Harrop supercharger kit.

I've just stopped for a coffee on my way home. The car feels incredibly potent and I'm still getting used to it. Headline figures: 300bhp flywheel, 262whp. Max torque 275nm but there's torque everywhere. Overtaking urge in 5th is the most impressive thing. That's all for now, I'll scan the dyno charts when I get a chance. Mark did a superb installation job. Sent from my LG-Q6 using Tapatalk

Heh - the most difficult thing is not expecting the Nissan Juke courtesy car to have any handling, and to avoid looking at it. Will report back much later.

The installation is done and the car goes on the dyno tomorrow morning. I should be able to collect it in the afternoon.

I've just checked with Mark at Abbey Motorsport and they're ready for me to drop the car off tomorrow morning. I should be picking it up Wednesday evening. Exciting!

Agreed, the NA kit makes the car a really good drive.

If all goes well, I'll let you know next Wednesday when I drive it home.

Indeed two-a-penny Range Rovers are chav-tastic and travel everywhere fast. They own the right-hand lane, too. One wonders how they can afford the fuel, tyres etc.

A good hybrid has the ability to provide huge torque when required but otherwise be quite frugal. It's all about balancing needs - you don't need power all the time but you sometimes want to accelerate hard. Battery storage and electric motor assist do exactly that and the feeling is so integrated that you just sense your engine has grown larger temporarily. The Honda IMA (electric assistance) always interested me more than the Toyota (electric first) system.

Fun indeed. Why did you have to pull right over for the speeding Saab (?) at 0:26?

Yes, apologies, it was the older models of Cooper S. Nice car, though. Mercedes make superchargers work. I know they're in the minority but I suggested a charger to keep the 86/BRZ's reputation for quick responses and drivability, not a strong point of turbos.

Considering my previous 1.5 CR-Z hybrid gave me 43mpg, I am well impressed with the BRZ's 36mpg. That's not bad at all for a 2.0 NA driven with spirit. Don't believe ridiculous hybrid economy numbers, real world driving tends to tame them a lot. Another possibility for the new 86/BRZ could be a supercharger. Look at the Mini Cooper S, for example. Good performance, economy and throttle response. Sent from my LG-Q6 using Tapatalk

I've just been quoted for a Harrop supercharger installation next week. Previous insurance premium was £499 for the TD NA mods, full exhaust, new wheels etc. The uplift today for an estimated 280bhp (from 200bhp) is £119 for half a year. 13 years NCB. Seems fair, or a bit heavy?

Mercedes use superchargers (the Kompressor cars) and I believe the Mini Cooper S uses one. Is using forced induction necessary? No, I can make pretty good progress in my tuned NA car. Is it an emotional desire for more power? You bet, and it would be silly to claim otherwise.

Yes, I did consider that. It's all the exhaust and intake re-routing that makes the pipework complicated, too. Superchargers are generally an easier install (I installed my Sprintex on the CR-Z and it was a day's work but not too tricky).

Quite interesting having a discussion in the Naturally Aspirated Facebook group. I posted a humorous thread starter about going forced induction, thus breaking the group rules, but to my surprise it unearthed quite a few owners with FI. What is perhaps less surprising (the internet being what it is) are the number of members telling me I should have gone turbo, clearly not having read my post or my requirements. I know turbo is an option and the obvious contender would be the TD seeing as I have their NA kit and catback system. However, I believe two criteria affected my decision: road car not track car, and being a daily driver not a weekend special. Plus, I intend keeping it until I retire in 5 years' time so I don't want to break it. Also, it gets wet a lot and snows here. Alternative viewpoints welcome!

Do it online and they will assign it a plate appropriate to its age.

I can't help but I'm interested in the responses. I have a TD decat manifold and will keep the OEM catted front pipe when I have a Harrop supercharger fitted. I also have an MOT coming in April and want it to pass without any messing around.

Yes, that's about right. I remember from supercharging my Honda CR-Z that it was already quite loud and didn't get any louder when cruising. Hard acceleration with the Sprintex, though, was a completely different matter. The whine was incredible.

Yes, I anticipate that. Has to be, since nothing in the exhaust changes but it can generate more power when hoofing it. Conversely, wafting along gently should be no louder than before.