Simple supercharger options??
 

Hi. I'd like to get a simple, basic supercharger for my 2020 BRZ. I don't want to run bigger boost. 4-5 PSI would be plenty. I am not after a "max attack" kinda thing, just something to wake it up, not overpower it.

My problem is that I can't find anything that's not a complicated, expensive kit that takes a long time to install.

Honestly, I'd just want the supercharger, mounting bracket, and a 4-5psi pulley. Not sure if they would need a separate belt or use the stock one. I could get the couplers to the airbox and throttle.

I'm thinking a Rotrex C30-64 would be great. Good flow, and capable of enough for what I want.

I don't want to run an intercooler because at that low pressure its not needed, and the complexity of the install turns me off. Plus the added cost for minimal gain doesn't attract me. If I need to I will run methanol/water injection. From my experience in boosted engines, I won't need it, but I will probably run it down the road anyway for the other benefits it brings.

thoughts?

thanks!

1. That's kinda all superchargers do on these cars.
2. If you think these are complicated? Boost isn't for you. IE: calling routing in an intercooler complicated.
3. It sounds like your experience is only with older American V8s.

If you wanna dive in you're going to have to do it from scratch. (I never understood why the SC kits in general are so fkn expensive for almost all the cars)
The only thing OTS would be the SC. Belt/s, bracket, piping. all one off. Then there's the upgraded headers, tune. Headers aren't "needed" but something you should have.

This is a perfect description of an electric supercharger. Like the Phantom or the Torqamp. I tried to find the website for Torqamp to refer you to and can't find it on the internet. I can't believe it disappeared just like the Phantom. both products work perfectly on this platform. Now I understand the irony of the name "Phantom".

1. if that were true that would be great. I see many posts saying 8-10 psi however. And the need for intercoolers on almost all of them points to higher boost. I do understand that people just want them for bling and street "cred" so if it sells they will put them in.

2/3. Nope. I haven't owned a domestic V8 for several decades, tho I do know how to tune those as thats all there was for normal people to hot rod when I started doing it My tuning experience with turbo 4 cylinders is extensive and has gone on for decades. 300-500whp 2.0-2.3 Japanese 4 cylinders is what I have been playing with for nearly 30 years. I simply don't want to complicate this. I work on everyone elses cars all day long and its not fun for me to rip off a bumper to put an intercooler in, especially when most people have trouble putting them back on correctly. And its not needed in this situation. My car is nearly pristine, having about 3k miles on it and I want it to stay that way. Its not some rat rod with zip ties thru the panels.

But thank you for your insight.

Oh, and its clearly in my signature that my car has a header and overpipe already.

yep,

very interested in the Torqamp thing. Looks like they have made it better now that tech is catching up to the idea. Guys have been trying to do this for some time now, but motor and battery tech weren't really there. I played with it sometime back in the late 90s as well, but my electronics skills are pretty limited.

Thing is, its pretty much as expensive as a belt driven SC kit, and its got limited boost up top. I wonder if the electronics could be tweaked to start the thing at higher RPM to keep the batteries and motor cooler longer? Or maybe the impeller size is just too small to flow the air required at higher rpm?

I found their website in the Netherlands, and they show a Canadian dealer and a couple of west coast US dealers but the websites are not much help. And with it being over 3000 Euros, I suspect cost will actually be more than just getting a used regular SC kit and modifying it to meet my simpler needs.

thanks for your help

Looks like you want the non intercooled sprintex supercharger. As simple as you can get and no intercooler.

Correct me if I am wrong, but all the Rotrex style Superchargers come with a intercooler IE: Jackson, Kraftwerks, HKS, Vortech will come with a intercooler.

Then you have Edelbrock that does not use a intercooler, just has a heat exchanger.

I looked up Sprintex and it shows a intercooler...might be another option without.

I know you said Supercharger, but what about a Turbo kit? Something like Works stage 1 kit might be what you are looking for. No intercooler, but you do have to install their downpipe.

https://store.worksmotorsports.com/W..._p/142.211.htm

Honestly, intercooler might be the easiest part to install of a forced induction kit. Like drifter said, if the intercooler installation is the part worrying you, might not want to go down the FI route. Any forced induction kit is going to ask you to take off the bumper during installation anyways to remove the factory airbox.

I installed my Harrop without removing my front bumper, although it would have been easier had I had it on a lift for the air-to-water intercooler. If you can replace an intake manifold, you can install a Harrop.

Second vote for non intercooled Sprintex. I have the intercooled one and it was easy to install.

forcing compressed hot air into a high compression engine sans an intercooler seems like a recipe for a bad time.

You already have headers, is ethanol available in your area? Just do that.

Guy doesn't sound like he's interested in racing it or driving it hard constantly. As long as common sense is used and he has a good tune it will be fine. If it is a worry still then e85 can help keep it cool.

Thus that comment from dpfarr.
A flex fuel kit and a tune since OP already has headers is going to be way cheaper and easier.

I found a TorqAmp site. https://torqamp.com/product/torqamp-kit/
+on your suggestion. My main concern is if this company is going to be around long. A while back they were soliciting for investors.

Not really easy as it looks on Roadkill.

Simple
Indeterminate
Blowed Up

Don't even need to pick one. It's a package deal!

I ran E85 for a time and it helped, but in my area there's only one place to get it and it wasn't worth the effort.

I'm spoiled I have 4-5 stations within 15 minutes.

Yep. Once again, I am infinitely capable of whatever install I need to do. I have 2 full sets of tools, access to a fully modern, nearly brand new shop. I am the shop foreman and have been wrenching professionally for nearly 30 years.

I simply don't want to do it.

Saying the other parts are hard to do is just silly. Look at how the electric ones work. People are saying they can install and remove them in less than an hour.

honestly there shouldn't be anything else involved for the basic install of a centrifugal blower put on the front of the engine.

remove intake piping and airbox.

remove drive belt

install SC bracket/SC itself

fit up piping from airbox to SC

Fit up piping from SC to throttle body.

there is tons of room at the front of the engine bay.


As for the turbo kits, I like turbos, and know how to tune with them very well, so it was my first thought. However, Id rather keep the exhaust setup I have. And I can't really see a convenient area to fit a remote mount turbo that wouldn't come with its own problems (heat, space, hanging down too low etc)

yea there is one in my province, and its 2 hrs one way and its not even open that often. eff that

Have you considered just paying someone else to do it for you?

no. Not only am I more than capable, I don't really trust anyone else to work on my vehicles. Some warranty stuff, sure, but something like this? nope.

Time to suck it up, Buttercup. :D

I don't have the facilities or capability to install a belt-driven one, which is one reason I like the ESC. if I had to pay for and install it would add significantly to the cost I also have the option to remove it easily and put it on another car if I choose. My car is a 2014 and I'm not entirely trustful of the strength of that motor, which is why I wanted no more than 5 pounds boost. M Phantom has been working fine for a couple of years and makes a significant difference.

I wanted to see this thing for myself and it seems they might not be around anymore. No clue how up to date this info is so apologizes if it is no longer correct.

https://www.delicioustuning.com/scio...ubaru-brz.html

Torque amp should take the lead on ESC but they doesn't do any marketing or make the product more ready, like doing kits + tune and other miscellaneous

You will occasionally see a Phantom show up in the classified section of this forum.
I haven't seen one for quite a while though.

Based on what you want and what you talk about, the Sprintex non-intercooled kit would be the best for you. I thought installing the whole kit was pretty easy considering it’s just me (hardest part was lifting it by myself and lowering it in). Having the barebones kit would mean you essentially disconnect the belt (just a 14mm on the tensioner). Then unplug and take off the TB (leave everything attached hose-wise). Take off the hoses from the manifold and remove the manifold (6 bolts). Then route the extensions from the supercharger (map extension and tb extension) and then just drop in the supercharger manifold (head unit is already on) and bolt it up (there is an extra 32mm bolt that attaches at the front to secure the manifold). Reconnect TB and hoses. Then put belt back on. Super easy and not involved compared to other kits. If you have e85 readily available, it’ll help and you can get a flex kit (another 10-15 min install depending on which kit you get). Then get it tuned via Ecutek and you’re done. It’ll push roughly 9-10 on the stock 75mm pulley and it’ll be fine with proper maintenance; adding the e85 will just increase reliability and power


***forgot, the kit uses a plastic elbow that attaches to the intake. Super simple to take off and on (just four clamps)

Once again you are describing the Sprintex non intercooler supercharger, only you do not have to remove the airbox. I does not get any simpler that that setup.

or not. its a case by case basis tho hehehe

Ok, Ill look more into that one

this turbo kit is looking more and more like a winner. Maybe put a slightly weaker wastegate spring to turn the boost down to 5psi, and just put a pipe in place of the liquid intercooler to further simplify it. I don't need 260 to the wheels, honestly. 220 would be just ducky in this car, and the drop in torque would probably make other parts of the car last longer too.

Now I just need to find a Canadian supplier. Ive sent an email to Works

Yeah, but the kit is rarely seen other than the intercooled version