my supercharger install experience

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by Lawrence Wussow
Finally got the beast installed! The final results are completely worth it.
Received my new throttle/cruise bracket + longer cruise cable & installed. BIG TIME thanks to Tone, for all help. He always replied promptly to all my questions, going above & beyond the call more than a few times.
(talk about "going farther")
Thanks also to all who posted their install experiences, the information was invaluable in helping me to be better prepaired

The Statements above sum up my install as well.

I paid my local ISUZU dealer to install it. I asked them initially for an estimate and WE arrived at a fair arrangement of 10 hrs labor. I dropped the VX off late Monday evening (after work) and they garaged it and started the install the next morning (Tuesday) and I got it back on Wednesday @ 3:30p.m. (after work). The mechanic had no issues with the install after I furnished him with the instructions and "tips" from this site. His only complaint was the way the throttle cable has to be routed (pretty tight loop!) and felt that the SC would benefit from a "drive by wire" setup. I paid $740 for installation plus they gave me a ride home with their "shuttle" service.

I drove it "normal" home (about 25 miles) and was surprised how effortlessly the VX took "Mackey Hill" which is a hill I take to and from work that is documented as the highest elevation in Crawford County, PA. I was surprised because I thought the
SC only came on with boost when your foot was in it! I could definitely tell that their was alot less effort on the gas pedal to climb this steep hill! Instead of about 1/2 throttle I was at about 1/4 to 1/3 throttle! I put the beastie to bed as I had to get up early (5 a.m.) the next workday.

I drove the VX to work instead of my Fiero because I JUST HAD TO! Like a kid on Christmas morning, I had alot of anticipation to see how she handled on-ramps and any passing situations I might encounter. She did not disappoint!!!!!! I will utter the same remarks you've already heard; Simply the best mod to start with in regards to HP upgrades. Sooo smooth and that SC whine(during boost) is so addictive I couldn't bring myself to turn on the radio!
Now I can't wait to pull out the O.E.M. airbox and throw in my new intake that is on the way!!!!!!! Next spring I plan on doing either a real dual exhaust or a dual in/dual out muffler swap.

Thanks again to Tone for Superior customer support. I emailed him a couple times about some stuff and he shot me back replys on all I needed to know in record time....kudos!

Sincerely,

Greg

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

TA DA!

[kpaske]

Wow, what a sweet sales pitch for the SC! One day when I've got some money to spare (err, when I go get a real job) I've got to get one. As much as me and the wife would like a nice widescreen LCD TV, the VX and the computers still take most of my expendable cash. <sigh>

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

2nd "Nissan" part on my VX besides our O.E.M. clear round parking lights:




I think the red badge matches our red TOD badge on the rear door and also complements my "red" brake calipers!

[johnnyapollo]

Thinking about finally doing mine during Thanksgiving weekend (I've had the kit for 2 almost two years - can you believe it?). Anyway, did you guys replace the thermostat/gasket while you had the intake off? Anything else I need to do while it's apart?

My kit was short the bracket, extended cable and CARB sticker - it also has the earlier cast nose instead of the polished one. I'm thinking about going for the 5LB pulley right off the bat.

I'm looking for a 4wd dyno place now, to get a before/after test.

-- Best, John

[Ldub]

John,

I didn't replace my thermostat when I did my install as I only had 20K on the odo. & also because it was another $70 +/- I didn't want to spend...I hope that doesn't turn into a regret.

Just remember to take your time during disassembly & label everything (where hoses/electrical connections came from).

What Jolly Roger said is so true, I have a company van, but if I have service calls that don't require too many tools, I take the VX.
Also, my newfound extra large lead foot is killing my mileage,I've
seen some nasty addictions in my time, but this one is a real bad monkey...Oh well.

Anyway,best of luck w/ your install, do try to get the new throttle/cruise bracket before you start as it is much easier to install on the back of the s/c before it's bolted on.

Also, don't forget to "marvel" at the incredible vagueness of the
instructions.Oh yeah,draw yourself a diagram of how the serpentine belt is routed,if your memory is anything like mine, You'll be glad you did.

Ldub

[MachineVX]

I just bought a kit from Tone. I'll have it installed after Thanksgiving, after I collect all the misc. parts. I'm having it done at Drivers Image in Skokie, IL, just north of the city.

[jayfotos]

Just wait to you put in the intake, meager differance!

[StormTROOPER]

I just noticed my avatar has been UP-GRADED to super charged VXer, dam I was hoping the super-charger FAIRY had left a super-charger under my hood No such luck, looks like I'll have to continue to turn OFF the AC and keep her in 3rd gear while entering the freeway.

[autox-racer]

dont forget to get orings from isuzu for injectors... oh and intake gaskets.

[MachineVX]

I checked the board for others' install experiences, so I've got gaskets, o-rings, and 3/8 inch power steering tubing, and a couple of cyberdyne gauges on order. Driver's Image has a great reputation, mostly with sport compacts. I teach at a high school on Chicago's North Shore, and a bunch of my kids have had work done on their WRXs, EVOs and Eclipses there. Install costs $ 70 an hour, and they think they can do it in 8 to 10. They were pretty intrigued about the what they could do with the VX. They'll also fabricate an intake for me.

Now, all I need is for Autoracer X to get back to making Titanium Badge kits . . .

[MachineVX]

My VX is in the shop, having the supercharger installed. THe O-Rings were the biggest difficulty, and the cruise control is also an issue. They have spoken to Tone many times, and they were impressed by his ability to help them out. If you have any interest in a supercharger, I would not hesitate to buy it from Tone, or anything else on his site, as his customer service is outstanding.

[MachineVX]

The VX with the supercharger is awesome. There is a definitely change in throttle response and low end torque. The VX also pulls a lot better at highway speeds.

Check my gallery for pics of the SC and my new intake.

[Cyrk]

MachineVX, looking good... details on the intake?

[MachineVX]

It was fabricated by Driver's Image out of aluminum and painted flat black to to match the supercharger. I have an A'Pexi filter on the end of it. The intake cost $ 125.00 to fabricate.