Miata Mailing List: February 1996, Message #152
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   From: Mx5madness@aol.com
Subject: A cautionary tale- supercharger for sale !
   Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 09:40:50 -0500

Remember how all of us have been told at some time or another that we should
be careful of what we wish for because we just might get it? Well, I lost
sight of that one recently. Names remane unchanged, to identify the guilty.
Like many, as soon as I got my Miata, I started fooling around with it. You
know, wheels, tires, accessories, that sort of thing. Even put a fancy paint
job on it. Having tons of fun. Reflecting on this, I ask:" how could this be
any more perfect ? ". I immediately answer: " more power, lots more power!".
Shortly thereafter, I find a deal on a supercharger. Get the 'charger, and
within a week, it is on. 
Know what? Big mistake. I had forgotten the first rules of successful car
modification, which are:
             1) Consider what you use the car for, and modify accordingly
             2) Every change that you make changes something else, and those
" other "                    changes are not going to be good ones.

In my haste to add more power, I had made bad trade-offs. I had also
compromised many of the qualities that I had bought the car for inthe
beginning. Ther was just one thing to do........

                   SUPERCHARGER FOR SALE!!!!!

Nelson supercharger kit and accessories for sale. Available as of tonight.
This is a belt driven centrifigal supercharger made by Paxton. It come with
electronic timing control, oil cooler, fuel and boost guages, and all parts
to make it work on P/S, no P/S, and A/C cars. 15,000 miles, thoroughly
de-bugged by last two owners. Sells new w/o accessories for 2200$. Make
offer.
So whats the story here? The charger does pump up low end, so you can use 5th
down to 30 mph. The top end power is unreal; allegedly 165 hp. Rear end can
be broken loose anytime in 1st or 2nd gear. Generally unobtrusive at cruise.
The bad stuff? It make noise. The charger whines noticeably under boost. If I
were keeping it I would get the pressure valve from Paxton, which bleeds off
excess pressure, prevents blown off hoses, and quiets it down. The charger
requires 3000 mile oil changes. My mileage fell from 28 to 22 mpg. Working
under the hood is a chore, because ALL the room is used up by the charger.
Cooling is not a problem, I run 10 degrees timing, but you need colder plugs.
The purpose of all this? to suggest that we need to think before we modify;
and to consider if racing Mustangs is really your goal in life. If it is,
give me a call.
S. Chamberlain & Thumper
Both of whom are now recovering from their walk on the wild side