Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - My experience with Jackson Racing Supercharger Kit

SC Kit: Jackson Racing FR-S/BRZ Supercharger System – Factory Tune Kit
Installer: Counterspace Garage

The installation of the JR-SC Kit by Counterspace Garage (Mike / Dave) was a complete success. In this review, I will share several areas of my experience starting with research to current. Please note I am not a professional mechanic. Like a lot of us on this forum, I’m just a guy that is just very passionate about a good driving experience and a little speed.

Vehicle setup:
2013 FR-S, Raven
4,500 Miles at the time of Install
Custom Exhaust
Airaid Intake
Unichip
Stock Wheels

Goal:
HP: 300hp
TQ 250tq

Shops Visited and Contacted:
Modbargains
Evasive Motorsport
Counterspace Garage
Church Automotive

Research:
As you all know, the Superchargers and Turbos Factory Tune Kits are really starting to pop up this year (2014). For some of us that live in CA, we might care about the Carb / Emission sticker. This was one of the many parameters that I had to consider. My original budget for this project was to be no more that $3k (install included). This budget rapidly went out the window for when I started to really dive into the economics of the FI world. I quickly realize that there is no way unless you can piece one together yourself which will run you about $2-3K in parts. Even then, the professional tuning will still put you above $3k. At the end, I narrowed down to three kits: 1.) Greddy Turbo, 2.) Vortex SC, & 3.) Jackson Racing SC

Greddy Turbo, this turbo kit was extremely attractive for the fact that several highly regarded shop in my local area suggested that I go with this from the start (back in Oct.13). I am not going to go into all of the tech details. For my needs, this kit would have accommodated all and more. Meaning that from an initial install, the HP and TQ would be in the area of what I want to achieve. And if I wanted to continue build from this project, the potential would be very great especially being a turbo. The reality of this kit kicked in, where this kit was quoted by several shops to be in the area of $6,600 out the door and this kit is not carb legal in CA.
Vortex Supercharger, this kit was interesting for this was one of the initial kits that were release for the FR-S/BRZ. There is an AWESOME 4 parts video on YouTube, which provided tremendous amount of details and information from install to performance of this kit. And when I was at my final deciding stage, Evasive Motorsport promoted this kit heavily due to their experience and reliability. The only part Evasive did not include was that they also received a heavy discount on this kit from Vortex. Hummmm, maybe a slight conflict of interests? Again not going into a complete tech detail, the Vortex kit would suffice for the project and it is Carb legal. For a detail tech review, I strongly suggest going to YouTube and search for the 4-parts review. The cost of this kit out the door was around $5,400.

Jackson Racing Supercharger, this was the kit I ultimately ended up choosing. First, I remembered this brand back when my cousin had a Type-R (REAL). I contacted JR back in Nov.13 and spoke to Oscar Jr. Oscar Jr., was extremely informative and friendly from the jump. He even explained in great details to me of the theory of supercharger and really dove into driver experience and performance of his product. At first, I really thought just a salesman pitch. But at the end of the call, he than shock me and suggested for me to do more research before making a decision and suggested that do not get his product yet for the carb approval was not ready and also the factory tune kit will be release in another month. Since I was local, he also offered a test ride to provide a real life experience of how their product will perform prior to purchase. As for the research of performance, this kit from specs / graph was pretty on par with the other two. The only disadvantage if I was ever going to try and achieve 400hp, turbo would be easier path for me.

Installation:

By now, some of you might have figured out I’m a guy that likes a good bang for the buck. Initially I called around several shops and pretty much was quoted the MSRP price. Then when I really went shopping which was physically visiting their shop in person to negotiate a price for labor and kit. Church, forget it… I left Shaun a message and never even heard from him. His shop guys were somewhat informative, but let’s just say I highly doubt that they will win customer service of the year. Modbargains, these guys were awesome. The guy I spoke to was extremely informative and was very detailed of what he could and would do. Although they did highly recommend a turbo, the only weird part was that for being in the game. They did not know that JR had a kit out. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks. He than took a half a day and educated himself on the JR kit and provided a very insightful feedback. So now that Modbargains knows the product and spoke to JR-Oscar Jr. And the last shop was a recommendation by Oscar Jr. I also spoke to David from Counterspace Garage. What a breathe of fresh air, nice courteous and extremely detailed. He walked me thru step-by-step of what and how they would perform the task. David also walked me thru the potential pitfalls of all the kits. By this time, I had established a comfort with CSG. And to put a cherry on top, they could have everything done within ONE DAY. 8am pick up and 4:45pm delivery. CSG is a boutique shop. Extremely personable and goes way beyond what a traditional shop would do. The actual installer was Mike and again, very personable and extremely detailed. I just couldn’t ask for more. And the work was clean and superb. I would recommend these guys all day long. Now, but to every up there is a down. Out of everything, due to the price break they provided David has requested that I run their logo on my car. Initially I was thinking that is not a problem, but then I remember I am old enough to be their Dad. I will honor my part and put it on my windshield, but it was kind of a weird request for I am trying to keep a clean image vehicle. Installation was again clean and quick. Prior to installation, David and Mike both informed me that the trouble with the bumper reinstallation which is a challenge for all installers. But let me tell you that, Mike did an awesome precise job with putting it all back together. Please do note, Airaid and Unichip is removed and no longer in use at this point. And I totally rushed him…

Performance:

JR kit is no joke… Don’t get me wrong its not like I am driving a torque machine, but this is the way the car should have came off the lot. PERIOD. With stock wheels and the first 300 miles, I took it easy on the JR kit and not reving up beyond 4500rpm. And still I already notice the pull and the power that the SC was creating. One of my theories was truly proven wrong for boost was felt even at 1800rpm. This is true cause it just didn’t feel like stock anymore. And as you progress to 2nd, you truly notice the pull even at 4200rpm. And as many has mention, this is where it really shines is when you hit 3rd and 4th gears. It is a beautiful feeling that the stock vehicle never possesses. And 5th and 6th pretty much speaks for it self. Now for the performance after the break in period and with 19’s on it… And I have been warned that with 19s on it, I will loose some of the performance gains that I have achieved with this JR Kit. And overall, it really didn’t matter cause it was a streetcar and I wanted the best of both worlds. What a difference especially when you start driving the car about 5000rpm. Every gear just pulls, it was very noticeable. And the smile on my face was priceless. I have zero regret with the JR setup. I truly appreciate the honesty and guidance that Oscar Jr. Has provided over the past several months, cause you have just earned yourself one loyal customer. There were some critics out there that mentioned that the Rotrex is slight seasoned for is about 6-7 year old supercharger. But you have to ask yourself, is that such a bad thing? Dependability really goes a long way especially when you’re dropping this much onto a daily drive.

Conclusion:

Jackson Racing Supercharge kit was worth every penny. If you are seriously considering a supercharger, really take a serious look at this kit. The support was just phenomenal. Oscar Jr. wins the customer service award from me and let me tell you I am a pain in the rear. It does do everything that is promised and these guys did tremendous amount of R&D, which from my research a lot of the other vendors out there can’t say the same. And for Oscar Jr. to take me for a ride with his FR-S with only the SC and flywheel… That truly proved to me this Jackson Racing Kit is legit.

Install guys… Yes, no doubts you can install this kit on your own. And yes, I could have too if I had the time. But with a 9 and 7 yrs old, it was just not happening. Counterspace Garage is absolutely the way to go. David and Mike are friendly and knowledgeable. They do not have a retail shop, but they do have a garage so they are really not going to shove parts down your throat or upsell you. They are a boutique shop and a very good one. If you are in the local Southern CA area, give these guys a shot. They are Legit…

I hope this provided some insight for you all. Please do PM me if you have any questions.

Photos:
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