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The Need for Speed

I'm one of those people that researches everything as much as possible so that I can make the best choice. I haven't made a choice yet with regards to which Super or Turbo Charger to go with. Primarily, this is because none of them function correctly with ODB II systems, but that should be all straightened out by the spring of '98. Also, I live in California and none of these systems (except for the Sebring) are C.A.R.B. certified yet.

Here are my needs from this FAI system:

1. Reliability. I don’t want to have to tinker with it.
2. Smooth Power: about 160 to 170 bhp at the wheels. I want to car to feel very stock with NO LAG. The auto tranny adds enough lag, thank you!
3. No too much louder than stock. I have a PPI CAI and I can hear the hiss at idle and the growl on throttle. I also have a JR Sport Exhaust. I don’t want more noise than that.

Systems to Choose From

At the time of this writing (January '98), here are my choices:

• Sebring Supercharger
• BEGI Autorotor Supercharger
• BEGI Aerodyne Turbocharger
• BEGI System IV Turbocharger

There are other systems out there, but I think that Sebring and BEGI are the most Miata knowledgeable companies out there.

Pro's and Con's of Each System

Sebring Supercharger

The Sebring is probably the most popular of all of the FAI systems out there. It is the lowest in cost and can be installed in about 4 to 6 hours by an experienced technician. This system uses the Eaton M45 Supercharger. The system is currently being distributed by Moss Motors.

Pro’s

• Lowest Cost $2600 (including a boost retard)
• Simplest Install
• Lowest maintenance
• No need to tap for oil & water
• Stock feel, very smooth and no lag
• CARB certified

Con’s:

• Lowest power of all, about 140 BHP at the wheel
• Belt can break
• No intercooler, intake temps can reach 200 F
• Extra noise under the hood
• Extra noise from the exhaust

Future:

• Moss is working on a 8.5 PSI pulley kit and an air/liquid Intercooler.

BEGI Autorotor Supercharger

The Autorotor, manufactured by Opcon Autorotor AB, is a belt driven supercharger operating on the twin-screw Lysholm principle. The Lysholm principle was conceived to give three primary advantages over all other style superchargers: volumetric efficiency, reduced drive power requirement, and lowered discharge temperatures. This system was designed by Corky Bell mainly to compete with Sebring S/C. However, this system is much more sophisticated and more powerful that the Sebring. That, in itself, brings a new level of complexity to the picture. This system sells for about $3000 and comes with a MSD Boost Retard.

Pro's:

• Meets my BHP power requirements (about 160 BHP).
• Very smooth, stock like power
• Separate S/C belt

Con's:

• Belt driven, potential idling problems.
• Extra noise under the hood
• Extra noise from the exhaust
• Complex to align. If not aligned properly, can chew up belts like crazy.
• Need to tap engine oil pan for oil line.

BEGI Aerodyne VATN Turbocharger

The Aerocharger, created by Aerodyne of Dallas, Texas, is in my opinion the world's most advanced turbocharger. Three features separate it from all others. It is self-lubricating (no oil lines), rotates on ball bearings, and has a feature called variable area turbine nozzles (VATN). The performance benefits are outstanding. Not only can a properly sized Aerocharger make half of its rated boost at just 1000 rpm, it can accelerate to boost producing speeds as fast as the foot can move the throttle. The full boost pressure of 7.5/8.0 PSI is all there by 2200 rpm. This actually creates the situation wherein full boost is available at virtually any rpm at which it is practical to drive the Miata. The Aerocharger actually has the ability to be a small turbo at low speed for the instant response and a big turbo at high speeds for the high horsepower. This Stage II system is selling for about $3500 from Team ProScreen.

Pro's:

• Fastest boost of any turbo system out there. NO LAG!
• Easiest install of any turbo system. Self lubricating, so the engine's oil pan does not need to be tapped.
• Very quiet: under hood and exhaust.

Con's:

• There have been some reliability issues. Corky Bell once stated that 1 out of 40 Aerodynes fail prematurely. Some have reported that the turbine seizes after about 1,000 miles.
• Getting a nice linear boost can be very tricky.
• Most expensive off all systems.
• Loose the cool exhaust tone.

BEGI System IV Turbocharger

This is a classic turbocharger system and uses the Air Research T28 water cooled turbocharger. This setup is the most powerful of all of the systems listed here. People can upgrade this system to achieve 250 BHP at the rear wheels.

Pro's:

• Most power of all systems listed here.
• Upgradeable to 250 BHP (FM Turbo).
• This system is being sold by Dealer Alternative, so good support is always available.
• Quieter than a S/C.
• Probably the most reliable off all of the systems.

Con's:

• No matter what anyone sez, this system will have the most lag of all system listed here.
• Loose the cool exhaust tone.
• Need to tap for oil and water.

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Last Modified: April 10, 1998
Copyright (C) 1997, Kory Hamzeh. All Rights Reserved.