ok, so looks like im down to SOS SC vs MASE Kit. im reading up more into the SOS SC... i know they say the kit is "Easily upgradeable"... if i got the SOS kit id get the optionals aswell, (external oil for SC alone, and the heat exchanger). So with that in mind... and the fact that im NOT deciding based on what gives me the most ridiculous amount of power, just the kit thats easiest on the engine, and safe and reliable... input on those two?

 

The SL (self lube) blower option SOS offers is new on the market and some members had premature bearing failure on the blowers. There was a thread on this which you may want to look for and ask a few questions. You cant go wrong with the original engine oil fed. The SL is great conceptually, but no one has enough miles on one to know the amount of abuse it will take, considering a few have already had bearing failure it would make me a bit hesitant. It only holds a ridiculously small amount of oil... like 3oz or something. Not hard to think this might not be enough lubrication for the blower and the heat it produces in higher boost stage you would be looking at.

 

i have seen that, but they claim to have made changes to help it... well i guess ill have to ask em about it when i call tomorrow. I may just get the aftercooler and not worry about the SL. If i decide on the SOS kit... i still dont know heh... i like turbos because they are very upgradeable and yes, the little kid in me loves the PSHHHH of a bov... my GSR is boosted and i loveeee the sound lol. But i looked and cant find any posts specificaly about the SOS SC, bunch of F/S threads... thats bout it.

 

I will most likely go oil fed when I get the Novi 1200 SOS stage 1 kit, as it's one less maintenance point, but below is some data supporting that it is ok to run. However, I have "heard" that if you were to go high boost 15-20 lbls or track the car extensively (a lot more heat), that you will be better off with the oil fed:

Source Article

"We began the project last year and had preproduction models by this past spring,"Best says. The major hurdle in the conversion was controlling the oil inside the blower. Engine-oil-fed units essentially spray a mist of engine oil into the case to keep the gears and moving parts lubricated. A small orifice controls the volume of oil required for adequate oiling, which isn't much when it's spraying. A self-lubricating unit requires a greater amount of oil-4 ounces, according to Paxton's technical manual. The extra oil presented some problems with circulation and foaming. Paxton engineers modified the internals through trial and error, ensuring longevity and high performance. They used plastic windows to observe the internal workings while the test units were running on the in-house blower and engine dynos. A final version was produced and subsequent testing commenced.

Real-world testing included hours upon hours on the engine and chassis dynos to ensure horsepower and torque were in line with the oil-fed units. Paxton representatives report the horsepower ratings are identical in both applica-tions. After the barrage of dyno testing was completed, the blower was sent out to the real world. Thousands of miles were logged in various engineering vehicles. The entire conversion process took nearly a year to complete, and Paxton debuted the SL blowers this past summer."

 

SOS is a great option!!!

 

I have about 12K+ on my SL. No problems at all.

I'm religious about changing/checking SL oil and don't track my car. I would get oil fed if I tracked, but since I don't I'm good with SL.

On a side note...couldn't how hard you crank down on the belt tension be related to bearing failure?

 

Yes absolutely.

 

Good to know there is some success.

Call me strange, but for Honda standards we have come to expect... I would like to know that the high $$ equipment I put on my car can also stand the rigors of tracking like the rest of the car, even if I never tracked. Oil fed SC have proven themselves to take the rigors of track days and go 200k+ without bearing failure. There are of course plenty of circumstances where this doesn't happen depending on how the system is maintained. Unfortunately it will be a couple more years before we get a good grasp of how you guys have fared with the SL blowers.

 

3,000 miles on Mase kit at 400whp mark; I have not had any issues with kit so far. That shielding I have cuts manifold temps down by 100 deg measured with my IR gun. This is essentially a bolt and go kit with great fitment;

 

I have the SOS Base kit on my '05; regular HX as well with the 1220 blower. Granted I've only been boosted for about 2 months now, almost 1000 miles, I've been extremely happy with it! I opted to go with the oil fed as it was not only cheaper (I think $100 less), but primarily for the fact that there is a lot more problem-free history with the oil fed vs self-lube as as s2000junky mentioned.