Miata Mailing List: July 1994, Message #80
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   From: "Gary Samad" 
Subject: Re[2]: Question about adjusting the timing
   Date: Tue, 5 Jul 1994 18:46:30 -0400


>Gary, cancel the supercharger order and buy an Aerodyne Turbo for $2,195. 
>You will get atleast 20 more HP and you won't have the driveability 
>problems you are about to experience with the Sebring Supercharger at that 
>timing setting with 92 octane gas in CA. A number of our customers have 
>had just that experience with their supercharged Miatas. At that timing, 
>your supercharger will be barely putting out 135-140 HP; hardly worth the 
>money you are spending. There has been alot of misinformation about turbos 
>being offered by Norm Garrett and friends, but that is because Garrett 
>owns Sebring Superchargers; hardly an impartial source. PBC does not own a 
>turbo company or have a finacial stake in any one product.

Well, I drove one here in San Diego with this setup and was extremely happy 
with the power.  I suspect that you're right about not reaching the full 
potential with retarded timing, though.  Another option, which I have heard 
at least one person use is to leave the timing alone and run a half can of 
104 Octane Boost with each tankfull.  I've calculated that the cost to do 
this is almost identical to running Premium fuel, vs running regular 
unleaded (20 cents cheaper) plus a half can of 104 OB (about $2.50, or 20 
cents!).  I tend to be shy about putting additives into the gas, though.

Has anyone had experience with octane boosters like this?

        cu,
        Gary