I will go supercharge with my S this week end. My question is : do I need to tune the car to get the maximum from my s/c unit or it is just gonna be plug and play and leave it as it? And by the way, how long it takes to install a complete comptech s/c with after cooler?

 

The Comptech SC/AC is plug and play and it isn't really *necessary* to check the AF after the install, but if it makes you feel better it certainly won't hurt anything. If there are other mods (header, exhaust, etc.) then I'd consider an AF check a must.

Make sure you have all the right tools, especially the tools needed to remove the crankshaft pulley bolt. Soak the bolt in penetrating oil the night before you do the install and it will be easier to get off (though it will still be difficult). Get a helper and study the Comptech instructions and install threads here on S2kI. Make sure you can identify all the parts and know exactly where everything goes before you start. Allow more time than you think you'll need. I think it can be done in a day by someone who's done it before, but you want to take your time and enjoy the install, so allow a few days for completion. A week would be even better. If you try to rush it and anything goes wrong it can spoil the fun, so allow lots of time and enjoy yourself. I know you'll want to hurry up and drive the car, but you'll have lots of time for that later - you'll only get to do the install once, so allow enough time to enjoy it.

 

Oh yea, you can probably complete the job in one weekend if you study the instructions first and don't run into any problems, but if you haven't done it before you'll probably feel rushed.

 

My sc install take about 7h.
If you take weekend, you might be ready as red mx5 write before

 

My experience is with the Vortech, not the Comptech kit. So take the following with that in mind.

There is nothing to tune with the stock kit. The black box is not adjustable. A few dyno pulls will tell you the air/fuel ratio, it may be running lean. Drive easy for a few hours, let the black box (electronic control box) learn and adjust.

If this is your first install and you don

 

I find this save for a new clutch comment a bit premature. I've been hammering my s2k with the SC'r for over a year now and my clutch works great. 12000 miles sc'rd, 39,000 miles total on the clutch.

I think this whole people with a clutch problem tends to be the drag racers dropping the clutch, or people who just don't know how to drive with a clutch correctly.

I'm not trying to flame anyone, and I was one of those people who used to tell everyone they'd need a new clutch, but after a year or more of hard driving without issues... I'd say its technique, not the clutch that's the problem.

 

, but since I haven't racked up the miles yet I cannot say with *certainty* that I won't need a new clutch at some point. So far, even after some treatment that can only be considered "abusive," the stock clutch has proven to be quite adequate for a stock Comptech SC/AC running on OEM S02's. I think some of the clutch issues might be the result of more traction (larger tires) as much as anything else. The stock clutch is MUCH stronger than the grip the stock tires can deliver.

 

Don't a lot of people put a new clutch in before the sc install because it's way easier to do it before instead of after?

People might be recommending the clutch just to justify their decision.

 

You can do a clutch change with the SC'r in by lowering the engine to the point its resting on a cross member (did I get that right?). Its not the easiest thing in the world, but it can be done.

 

I agree to some extent but I'm not a drag racer and I think I have a fair idea how to drive as I've been driving a manual for 20 years yet I did go through a clutch pretty quickly after my SC install.

That said I do track the car quite a bit and am fairly hard on the clutch.

As for installing it, I did mine after the SC install by lowering more at the back than the front.