Really bad experience with Kraftwerks C30 supercharger

[industrial]

Originally Posted by SPCorBUST

The Rotrex oil cooler is an important component - you honestly believe that flimsy POS with the KraftWerks kit is comparable to the Setrab unit...?

Between the JR and KW kit, the Rotrex unit is the same, as well as the oil reservoir.

And the frequency of issues is an indicator of design quality. I didn't even refer to installation.

I don't think rotrex oil temperature has been an area of concern for anyone running either setup so I'm not sure why you bring it up. The setrab unit is nicer for sure. You are right that the difference in the way each system is driven is the issue. There is no doubt JR's system is better given the track record of broken belts on the KW side. That still doesn't mean the KW kit is UTTER GARBAGE and the JR kit is 10003245920348x better. Both make the same power and installed and maintained correctly, should be just as reliable as the other.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by industrial

I don't think rotrex oil temperature has been an area of concern for anyone running either setup so I'm not sure why you bring it up. The setrab unit is nicer for sure. You are right that the difference in the way each system is driven is the issue. There is no doubt JR's system is better given the track record of broken belts on the KW side. That still doesn't mean the KW kit is UTTER GARBAGE and the JR kit is 10003245920348x better. Both make the same power and installed and maintained correctly, should be just as reliable as the other.

You're telling this to one of the guys who's actually owned both kits.

Ironically his current JRSC C30 setup makes similar power to his KW C38 setup, with less boost, the so called "hot air intake", and a "too small" intercooler.

[juliog]

Originally Posted by industrial

The engineering behind the KW system is fine, it's just very German feeling.

Kraftwerks is an american company

[SPCorBUST]

Originally Posted by industrial

I don't think rotrex oil temperature has been an area of concern for anyone running either setup so I'm not sure why you bring it up. The setrab unit is nicer for sure. You are right that the difference in the way each system is driven is the issue. There is no doubt JR's system is better given the track record of broken belts on the KW side. That still doesn't mean the KW kit is UTTER GARBAGE and the JR kit is 10003245920348x better. Both make the same power and installed and maintained correctly, should be just as reliable as the other.

Just as reliable? KraftWerks "designed" a "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist (at least not with the JR kit) so who needs the "solution"? (the divorced drive system)

Well, they absolutely cornered the market on snapped belts/consumables. Made some valuable long-time customers, customers that seem happy (surprisingly) paying additional hard earned dollars when they didn't/shouldn't have to, so long as they get to talk to CJ and get exactly what they paid for, which is just for someone to answer the phone and ship out a new belt. Oh joy, completely standard customer service.

Instead of sending "updates", they should have spent that time upfront racing/testing before going to market.

But hats off to the marketing person, I hope they got a promotion. "Turning negative to positive." They turned their proficiency at snapping belts into a selling point, and people ate and continue to eat that shiz up.

[sw20kosh]

Kraftwerks is gimmicky and does not hold up in high performance driving. OP swap it out to a JRSC and you will be worry/hassle free.

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by SPCorBUST

Just as reliable? KraftWerks "designed" a "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist (at least not with the JR kit) so who needs the "solution"? (the divorced drive system)

Well, they absolutely cornered the market on snapped belts/consumables. Made some valuable long-time customers, customers that seem happy (surprisingly) paying additional hard earned dollars when they didn't/shouldn't have to, so long as they get to talk to CJ and get exactly what they paid for, which is just for someone to answer the phone and ship out a new belt. Oh joy, completely standard customer service.

Instead of sending "updates", they should have spent that time upfront racing/testing before going to market.

But hats off to the marketing person, I hope they got a promotion. "Turning negative to positive." They turned their proficiency at snapping belts into a selling point, and people ate and continue to eat that shiz up.

I chose Kraftwerks over JRSC because it can run a C38 and had intake design that isn't pulling air from the engine bay. I was well aware of the belt failures and understood the risk if it wasn't installed correctly. I could have chosen either. My hats off to the JRSC supporters for continually bashing KW at every opportunity. It makes it difficult see the real risks/benfits of either kit without digging in to see the root cause of the issues.

[industrial]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

You're telling this to one of the guys who's actually owned both kits.

Ironically his current JRSC C30 setup makes similar power to his KW C38 setup, with less boost, the so called "hot air intake", and a "too small" intercooler.

Yeah I know, it's in his signature and he RAGES out every chance he gets about KW.


It's not ironic that his C30 setup makes similar power to his KW C38. That's something else all together. CSG Mike, what are you saying? Is it that the JR C30 system will make more power than the KW C38? Because that's absolutely false and you know it. It's pretty juvenile to make such allusions when you know damn well there are other variables at play.

Originally Posted by juliog

Kraftwerks is an american company

Yeah, I know the history behind KW and JR. There is some bad blood between the two.

Originally Posted by SPCorBUST

Just as reliable? KraftWerks "designed" a "solution" to a problem that doesn't exist (at least not with the JR kit) so who needs the "solution"? (the divorced drive system)

Well, they absolutely cornered the market on snapped belts/consumables. Made some valuable long-time customers, customers that seem happy (surprisingly) paying additional hard earned dollars when they didn't/shouldn't have to, so long as they get to talk to CJ and get exactly what they paid for, which is just for someone to answer the phone and ship out a new belt. Oh joy, completely standard customer service.

Instead of sending "updates", they should have spent that time upfront racing/testing before going to market.

But hats off to the marketing person, I hope they got a promotion. "Turning negative to positive." They turned their proficiency at snapping belts into a selling point, and people ate and continue to eat that shiz up.

Seriously, you are really fired up about this. Snapping supercharger belts might not be an issue for the JR setup for this car but it has been an issue for other cars. Many OEMs use a divorced drive system like the LT4 on the new z06 and jaguar f-type. It's not something KW came up with just cuz'.


JR and KW developed their kits right around the same time. I'd say KW played it safe with their drive system and yeah, it looks unnecessary with the benefit of hindsight. I hope you don't get so angry about everything this inconsequential in your life. It's just car parts we don't need at the end of the day.

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by Apoc

I chose Kraftwerks over JRSC because it can run a C38 and had intake design that isn't pulling air from the engine bay.

Are you aware that the JRSC is actually pulling air from the same location that the stock intake does and that IAT data is lower than stock in real world driving because it has an intercooler?

Lol this thread

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Are you aware that the JRSC is actually pulling air from the same location that the stock intake does and that IAT data is lower than stock in real world driving because it has an intercooler?

Lol this thread

Yes I am completely aware of JRSC intake location and use of the intercooler.

[SPCorBUST]

Originally Posted by Apoc

It makes it difficult see the real risks/benfits of either kit without digging in to see the root cause of the issues.

The belt setup...?

[SPCorBUST]

Originally Posted by industrial

Yeah I know, it's in his signature and he RAGES out every chance he gets about KW.

Originally Posted by industrial

I hope you don't get so angry about everything this inconsequential in your life. It's just car parts we don't need at the end of the day.

What is a forum if not a place for detailed vendor/product reviews? What I've been saying are simple facts, although admittedly it sometimes feels like I'm saying the world is round. I left the KW owner's thread about 3 months ago, age old adage of the horse to water and all that. Threads like this occasionally pop up though, and its a disservice for folks to say that this experience is anything but commonplace; I think a more balanced response of what they can/should expect is more appropriate.

Originally Posted by industrial

Seriously, you are really fired up about this. Snapping supercharger belts might not be an issue for the JR setup for this car but it has been an issue for other cars. Many OEMs use a divorced drive system like the LT4 on the new z06 and jaguar f-type. It's not something KW came up with just cuz'.

I didn't mean the solution in general, I meant for this application. That said, with the frequency of issues I'd say the solution they have is far from OEM.

[morswestford]

i am now on my 4th broken belt. i'm sorry the belt shouldn't shred itself once a month and brake every few hundred miles. it'a absurd.

[post_break]

20k miles, same belt here.

[Bykov]

Originally Posted by Sgtfluffy16

can you walk everyone through how you tensioned the belt?

i neeed to learn as well because I will be installing my kit soon.

His solution is posted in the KW owners thread. You should check it out, lots of knowledge there. I went with JRSC but I still read every page of the KW thread.