Topic: Market research: Supercharger for 2.5L

[Tribulation]

Alright first off this is my first post. If I posted in the wrong spot I would appreciate if it could get moved. Now to the topic at hand.

I am developing a supercharger kit for my gutless 2.5L TJ. My goal is to create a safe boost in power (obviously). I want my kit to be easily bolt on and tuneable by the average joe with little knowledge. My other goal is for the kit to be very affordable. Especially compared to the 3500 kit already available.

Im just in the initial stages of planning and research. I have along way to go. I am still gonna make the kit for myself but am wanting to test the market to see if anyone would be interested in being able to purchase a cheap and easy kit for a 2.5L TJ, and what you would be willing to pay for the kit. The kit would include Fuel and timing control, supercharger, piping, intercooler (air to air or water to air) bracketry, larger injectors if needed, etc, etc.

Once I can complete my 4cyl kit I would then develope one for the 2.5L YJ followed by kits for the 6cyl TJ and YJ. I would love to then develope a similar set up for other engines as needed. My ultimate goal again is simplicity and cost effectiveness.

I am open to ideas and suggestions on this topic. Thanks guys.

[sharpxmen]

what are you planning to use (supercharger, fuel management, injectors etc)? are you planning to use new parts?

what is your cost? (approximate to have the kit ready)

 

[dwtaylorpdx]

Yea,, same thoguhts. I've fiddled enough with my 94YJ to know the
engine management on a YJ is barely adequate.

I'd be thinking about a SC if I could get it for give or take less than a 6 cyl conversion.
Most of the SC kits with Inter-cooling raise the weight to about equal the 6 Cylinder.
the 2.5 mileage is already abysmal, typical LS1 V8 conversions weigh less and get
better mileage than the 2.5 with forced induction. Cost = 5 to 6K typical for a V8
with all the stuff to make it legal. And speking of legal, it would have to pass smog in
at least 49 states to be interesting as Oregon has smog testing...
 
Dave

[RT]

Yea,, same thoguhts. I've fiddled enough with my 94YJ to know the
engine management on a YJ is barely adequate.

I'd be thinking about a SC if I could get it for give or take less than a 6 cyl conversion.
Most of the SC kits with Inter-cooling raise the weight to about equal the 6 Cylinder.
the 2.5 mileage is already abysmal, typical LS1 V8 conversions weigh less and get
better mileage than the 2.5 with forced induction. Cost = 5 to 6K typical for a V8
with all the stuff to make it legal. And speking of legal, it would have to pass smog in
at least 49 states to be interesting as Oregon has smog testing...
 
Dave

 :rant:I would consider it if it was $300 bucks, you have to take into account the transmission conversion you're eventually going to have to do. Their is no way an Ax-5 will stand up too a forced induction anything. Plus, and correct me if I'm wrong here, wouldn't you have to rebuild a higher mileage 2.5 before adding any kind of forced induction just because of how tired the motor would be already. I know the AVENGER only runs like 4psi but still.... Plus you'd only dyno like 170hp. So by adding a super wouldn't you get stock 4.0 numbers..... and with the 4.11's that would be like running a Rubicon minus the D44's, lockers, and ax-15. Sounds like a lot of trouble and $$ for 40 hp (less if you're running exhaust/intake ect.) if you ask me. 

[dwtaylorpdx]

Good point I forgot to mention the transmission, mine is rebuilt with some extra bits to toughen it up,
I'm already pprobably pretty close to the 170HP range I'm running a Hesco cam, B&B engine, and
higher compression pistons. My trans was also blueprinted, has oversize bearings and some work on
the shafts and synchro's. I still would not count on it to cover > 200HP.

The 2.5 can make 200 pretty easy under forced induction, but it does have a fairly small crank as well for
too much building.

All things to consider...

Dave

[RT]

Is their a kit to strengthen the AX-5. I'm running intake, exhaust, and a new injection system and ever since I made the mods my AX-5 has been feeling.......spongey.....like it goes in gear and shifts fine but their is A LOT of play in the stick and a lot of binding where the jeep will rock back and forth when I dump the clutch while shifting. I might be making 140hp, and it would be truly sad if the AX couldn't stand up to that.

[Tribulation]

Im still doing the research. I wont truely have a good idea on numbers until I install and blow up .... er... I mean test on my engine. Im not worried about the AX-5 I have heard of some guys successfully running it behind a v-8 for awhile. Just dont thrash it too much. I have ran into a financial snag so my project will be delayed.

[Jeffy]

Honestly, I would rather see a partial kit with a grocery list of other parts.  I think the biggest problem with most conversion is cost.  A lot of people are more willing to piece-meal it though.  For simplicity, I think a centrifugal would be easier and really, the 2.5L doesn't need boost at low RPM's.  The only consideration would be to maybe have two brackets so people with AC can run the SC as well.

I also wouldn't mind if the kit isn't 50-state legal as long as it's simple enough to remove/disable to convert back to the stock computer every 2 years.

[Jeffy]

Im still doing the research. I wont truely have a good idea on numbers until I install and blow up .... er... I mean test on my engine. Im not worried about the AX-5 I have heard of some guys successfully running it behind a v-8 for awhile. Just dont thrash it too much. I have ran into a financial snag so my project will be delayed.

successfully?  The AX-5 isn't that bad of a transmission really.  Most of the problems stem from improper-downshifting which causes a clip to wear and then they lose 5th gear.  I've said this before but the W56 is the same transmission but with a Toyota application and they seem to never have the problems Jeepers complain about.  You could always do a Stage I and a Stage II if you wanted more boost then recommend a transmission upgrade.

[sharpxmen]

Im still doing the research. I wont truely have a good idea on numbers until I install and blow up .... er... I mean test on my engine.

numbers as in HP or $?

anyway, so save you some trouble on the market reasearch portion i asked the same question a while back but there was no real interest (about 6 maybes) and that was with everything brand new at $1300 for the supercharger bolt on kit with all pipes and brackets pulleys etc.

http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,7451.0.html

Second hand turbo would probably come out lot cheaper and you have the luxury of a lot more available ones out of the junkyard. as a matter of fact you're better off by not including the turbo and just have all the brackets pipes, lines, etc as a kit and the potential buyers to get their own turbo based on your specs.

if you think of doing this as a  business i don't think the volume of sales will make you rich maybe brake even for all the time and effort, but as far as being your own project it's fun - although i take it that you didn't start it yet and you will have unexpected expenses along the way.

[RT]

couldn't you take a small turbo, put a pulley-wheel on it, bolt it to the engine and run it with the serpentine belt and call it a supercharger? lol