THE THINGS WE DO

So my girlfriend has been asking me for a while now to beef up her magna,
It's and old duck, TE 3.0L close to 300,000on the clock, and she wants more power like my cars..
So I said sure... Why not, the car it self is special as it the money to buy it was left to her by her now pasted on grandfather... " so buying a new car osnt in the picture"

years ago I did slap a supercharger ( a eaton M90 from a chev ) on loud1, before the turbo... Made heaps of noise and got me around the 220-240 horse power mark, no dyno sheet was recorded! Because at the time I wasn't happy if only 240hp..
But its easy enough to do..!

The supercharger will be here next week and I reckon I can do a full custom set up for under three grand, I'm of to a good start...

EATON M90 $500
ECU $1000
FUEL HAVENT GOT
INJECTORS. HAVENT GOT
MANIFOLD. ISNT MADE

I'll up date this post as the build is happening,
But just to let you know, I'll be make three manifolds to fit the m90 supercharger to the 6g72-6g74 they'll be for sale on amc when I have the dyno figures of the finished setup..
"so if you want cheap power" and a supercharger Post in here.. And watch how I do it cheers

Supercharging will def give more power but perhaps a simple 3.5lt 6G74 engine swap might be easier. Not loads more power with a 3.5lt but still an upgrade in my book.
I just did the 3lt to 3.5lt swap over easter.

Go a 3.5 then whack on the supercharger! LOL

I want cheap power!!

Subscribed.

Even tho i am still working on my twin turbo set up i will be watching this build to see how it unfolds..

Suprcharger on a motor with 300,000km. Good luck is all i can say

A simple 6G74 swap? Ppft, that ain't how Rhys operates!

Suprcharger on a motor with 300,000km. Good luck is all i can say

Yeah Wtf lol either buy a new car or 6g75 it. Much cheaper options with better results.

Yeah, but once all the hard work is done to supercharge this motor, how cheap & easy is it to put a fresher 6g72 (or even 74 or 75) under the SC ??

I'll be watching too. I like seeing performance projects.

I'll be watching too. I like seeing performance projects.

Same.

I've had a spare 3.5 laying around for ages now, and since I got rid of my old TE project I've been looking for a high kms car to buy for cheaper, then drop my spare 3.5 in, currently doing this project even though it isn't the easiest or best for power, it just gives me something to work on.

3.5 conversions are not as straight forward as people may think, unless you got a lot of the extras you need with the engine.

Easiest option here would be to get a 3.5 with the same transmission (auto/manual) as the current one, along with as many brackets, manifolds, driveshafts as possibly. Then and only then it would be a fairly straight forward drop in :P

A simple 6G74 swap? Ppft, that ain't how Rhys operates! +1 like

[QUOTE=Oggy;1487005]Yeah, but once all the hard work is done to supercharge this motor, how cheap & easy is it to put a fresher 6g72 (or even 74 or 75) under the SC ??

I'll be watching too. I like seeing performance projects.[/QUOTEhow well I know the standard intake manifolds are the same for the 6G72 and 6G74 so there shouldn't be a problem as you said changing them

Hmm looks really interesting!

What sort of power can people with commodores make with m90's?

I was lead to believe m90's make lots of noise and even more hot air because they aren't that efficient.
If it does make good power, I wouldn't mind looking further into it...

Hmm looks really interesting!

What sort of power can people with commodores make with m90's?

I was lead to believe m90's make lots of noise and even more hot air because they aren't that efficient.
If it does make good power, I wouldn't mind looking further into it...
Well there making over 300hp at the wheels, but that's with a intercool setup... Buts its not easy to do on a magna, i'llI'll slap up some picture of my old set up today

THIS IS NOT THE BUILD JUST AN EXAMPLE
G'day guys, as i can see there is some intersed in the supercharger setup.. quick history lesson,
back in 2007 i started building a custom setup for loud1, it was a i air ntercoolered M90 eaton setup on the its side...
In total it cost aorund the $3500 to 4000mark.. but there was a problem with air flow being equal though all the cylinders..
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger1-1.jpg
standarded manifold choped
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger2.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger3.jpg
because the M90 i use to have was from a chev... i had to make a custom rear housing for the throttle body and the vacuum lines
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger4.jpg
custom piping
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger5.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger7.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger8.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger10.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/LOUD1/LOUD1%20SUPERCHARGER/supercharger11.jpg

Subscribed and a half!

This is me :D

Tits?

Yes I have those, Mr LOUD1 enjoys them ;)

picsorban!......................................of build of course. lol

picsorban!......................................of build of course. lol
Waiting on the supercharger to rock up champ.. Then I'll start on the laser cutting etc ;) but this should be really cheap.. And give some good power,
Here's a m90 setup wih a little bit of work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHXkD1S99C0&list=FL1wSmAVu0lA5DE6KP4oM9hA&feature=mh_lolz

Supercharger rocked up today...i'll slap up some pictures of the beast...

Wow. def a subscribe from me! could be very interesting to see how the internals hold up on this one

The Superchager rocked up Yesterday.. " Saturday the 21-4-2012", This Holden M90 Is huge compared to the Eaton M90 from a chev.. which means i have to rethink some things but the project is moving a head with no big problems so far!

Below is some photos of ther Supercharger just "chillin" in the engine.. as well as out of the engine bay,
Its in good nick, just needs degreasing

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/IMG_0869.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/IMG_0868.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/IMG_0867.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/IMG_0866.jpg
:hmm: looking good so far

Wow. def a subscribe from me! could be very interesting to see how the internals hold up on this one
Some picture of the supercharger above, 6G72 are meant to have strong pistons and the boost should be under 8psi... might put a 7th injector to keep the engine cooler.. but long way of that.. next is laser cutting for the manifolds

Some picture of the supercharger above, 6G72 are meant to have strong pistons and the boost should be under 8psi... might put a 7th injector to keep the engine cooler.. but long way of that.. next is laser cutting for the manifolds

OOoooeeerrrr laserss.. mmmmm

*pause*

Repaint those wiper arms now! :P

6G75 compatible if it's a G72/74 conversion..?

This is definitely going to be a great read..

SuFz

Just wondering when I make the three manifolds is there a performance place that would buy the third one,so they can make and sell copys..?

Would you be able to make a detailed write up of the manifold dimensions etc?

Just wondering when I make the three manifolds is there a performance place that would buy the third one,so they can make and sell copys..?

Unique Mits Bits on Facebook MAY be interested.

Send him a message and price etc.

SuFz

Would you be able to make a detailed write up of the manifold dimensions etc?
Dont see why not... Pretty good at things like that

Unique Mits Bits on Facebook MAY be interested.

Send him a message and price etc.

SuFz

He is a good bloke, but he's doing a twin turbo kit

Hmm I'd be somewhat interested in this... How much boost would it make with 3.8L?

Hmm I'd be somewhat interested in this... How much boost would it make with 3.8L?

Stick to what you're doing!

Sweet thanks

Hmm I'd be somewhat interested in this... How much boost would it make with 3.8L?
That's easy, 7psi.... Because that's what they run on the "Holden" 3.8's:hmm:

What's a "Holden" 3.8 redline though? 5000rpm?

Was this M90 off a VZ Commodore do you know?

Was this M90 off a VZ Commodore do you know?

He said a 3.8L and VZ as far as i know were all 3.6L

The vz didn't get the supercharger last of them was on the vy

and i dont think it was 7psi on a vy because a vy supercharged made less power then a stock ralliart... fail engine.

Hey! It's not a fail engine, its a wonderful piece of Australian engineering top quality perfection! Don't you know anything? =|

What's a "Holden" 3.8 redline though? 5000rpm?
6500 I think,.... But regardless, you can get pulley kits for cheap, they go up to 15psi... Around 70 bucks

6500 I think,.... But regardless, you can get pulley kits for cheap, they go up to 15psi... Around 70 bucks

If this is the same charger that was on a vy ecotec, they have a habit of failing on any psi over stock. Just putting that out there, its well known if you look on commodore forums.

Well I check some things and the standard holden had a 6 to 7 psi pulley.., I'm not surprised at all that the v6supercharger engines have less then the ralliarts at the time, I'm sure Holden wouldn't of liked there own V6's being more powerful then there v8s at the time..
Heres the specs

Compression ratio: 8.5 : 1
Maximum power: 171 kW @ 5200 rpm (on PULP (Premium Unleaded))
Maximum torque: 375 Nm @ 3000 rpm (on PULP)
Recommended Fuel: 95 Octane (PULP)
Alternative Fuel: 91 Octane (ULP)
Only thing I can see stopping a 6G75 frm getting 7psi is the crank drive...? Of memory loud1 had 7to8psi with the intercooler installed... So it should be about right

Lmao, my car makes very close to the amount of power and torque at its wheels that the commo supercharged v6 does at its crank with a stock motor...

Lmao, my car makes very close to the amount of power and torque at its wheels that the commo supercharged v6 does at its crank with a stock motor...
Love those Holdens.... But but to the point in hand the m90 on a magna engine will bring home the money, as the magna engine is one, a lot higher compression and dannielle car is a 3litre.. So there's going to be a lot of boost I'm sure... I'm getting my old blown up 6g74 so I can mock up the charger tomorrow... ;) exciting stuff... My miss us is over the moon lolz

The biggest issue holden had with these is heat. They make a LOT of noise, and a lot of noise means a lot of heat. Still, I'm interested in seeing how this goes, because the 6G72 is a much more refined engine. Also, I'm interested in seeing how long before holes are burnt into pistons...

The biggest issue holden had with these is heat. They make a LOT of noise, and a lot of noise means a lot of heat. Still, I'm interested in seeing how this goes, because the 6G72 is a much more refined engine. Also, I'm interested in seeing how long before holes are burnt into pistons...

6G72 have strong pistons, but I know what your saying, but any boost in a engine can give you holes if untuned wrong and to much heat... This will be tuned by hyperdrive at when all together... And talk about how we are going to keep it cool.! 7th injector or some type of intercooler...!

Get a water to air intercooler custom made to sit on top of the intake?

Water + Meth Injection!!!

I want a massive intercooler :)

Update: bring the mock engine home as I type... So be mocking up the supercharger this week if everything goes well
Also I looked a water injection, pretty awesome stuff... So I might get one of these if the boost is higher then 8psi

Hey just a thought. Just because it makes 7-8psi on a holden engine doesn't mean that it WILL make that on the magna engine. What you need to know is the belt speed on the holden and compare it to the magna motor. The belt speed will depend on the drive pulley on the front of the motor.

e.g. the holden and magna engines could both rev to 5000rpm but the holdens belt might be moving slower around the pulley system.

It comes down to the harmonic balancer/front drive pulley diameter. If those sizes are roughly the same then you've got a good chance of the PSI being the same. If the holden has a larger pulley then the supercharger is going to make less boost on the magna and vice versa

bigger pulley = faster belt speed = supercharger spinning faster = more boost.

That is a very good point, and because I used a m90 of a chev, I can't really go of the boost levels I got in a 6g74... So we'll just have to wait and see:woot:

Hey just a thought. Just because it makes 7-8psi on a holden engine doesn't mean that it WILL make that on the magna engine. What you need to know is the belt speed on the holden and compare it to the magna motor. The belt speed will depend on the drive pulley on the front of the motor.

e.g. the holden and magna engines could both rev to 5000rpm but the holdens belt might be moving slower around the pulley system.

It comes down to the harmonic balancer/front drive pulley diameter. If those sizes are roughly the same then you've got a good chance of the PSI being the same. If the holden has a larger pulley then the supercharger is going to make less boost on the magna and vice versa

bigger pulley = faster belt speed = supercharger spinning faster = more boost.

Well just do a bit of a search on the chev motor it came off to find the harmonic balancer outer diameter and then the same for the magna motor then you should be able to work out the difference. If not give me the dimensions and I'll give you a round about figure.

Definitely intercooler. You're going to be dealing with a LOT of heat. Magna engines are strong bit you can only push it so far without doing piston damage.

You're going to have to drill holes in the bonnet or weld mounting points. After this, delicately cut a square around 45cm by 45cm into the windscreen in a comfortable position.
Once this has been done, use the bipod included and make sure the discarded shells are ejected OUTSIDE of the car not inside.
The mounting points are going to have to be very sturdy as there will be a fair amount of recoil.

Once everything's set up, practice practice practice! Soon you'll be able to shoot straight WHILE driving. Road rage will be taken to a whole new level.

































































http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/imgs/barrett-m82.jpg

Well just do a bit of a search on the chev motor it came off to find the harmonic balancer outer diameter and then the same for the magna motor then you should be able to work out the difference. If not give me the dimensions and I'll give you a round about figure.
Sorry, looks like there some confusion, I've done this before buddy on loud1
Last time I used a m90 of a american chev...
But this time I'm using a m90 of a Holden... They are very different.. And the pulleys on them are different as well,

When we it gets tuned I'll make sure I write down the boost levels as it goes up the rev range etc
500rpm = 0
1000rpm = 1 psi
2000rpm = 3psi
3000rpm = 5psi
Etc etc etc:nuts:

Ahh ok well the holden harmonic balancer has an OD of 179.5 for the blown V6. If you can measure the harmonic balance on the magna I can do some sums for you. I'm now intrigued and need this information.

Ahh ok well the holden harmonic balancer has an OD of 179.5 for the blown V6. If you can measure the harmonic balance on the magna I can do some sums for you. I'm now intrigued and need this information.

OD is 155mm and circumference was 490mm, didn't do the maths just rapped rope around it and measured it

Ok so basic calculations say that the charger is going to be around 12% underdriven which means lower boost levels for you. This I guess is a good thing considering you want to look after the block. If needed/wanted later on down the track you have the fortune of being able to buy a smaller pulley off the shelf from many outlets offering them for commodores.

Ok so basic calculations say that the charger is going to be around 12% underdriven which means lower boost levels for you. This I guess is a good thing considering you want to look after the block. If needed/wanted later on down the track you have the fortune of being able to buy a smaller pulley off the shelf from many outlets offering them for commodores.
humble pie

think of a mountain bike as you move down to smaller gears at the back wheel the pedals turn less for each turn of the rear wheel, the supercharger is the pedals and the engine is the rear wheel . you wanna slap it to the little cog on the front and the big cog at the back wheel!

I thought you send the Holden one was 176mm and the magna one is 155mm... Smaller pulley = more rpm on the crank pulley = more boost?

Nope, read that again.


bigger pulley = faster belt speed = supercharger spinning faster = more boost.

The holden pulley is 179.5 so it has a larger front pulley (harmonic balancer) so the belt on the holden will be moving faster giving more boost compared to what the magna will be capable of at the same RPM.

As robessi said, think of it like a mountain bike. If you leave the rear gear set (in this case that would be the supercharger) on the same gear and only change the front gears (the engine) the overall speed that the rear wheel would turn will be greater when moved onto the larger gear (commodore engine). If you moved it to the smaller gear (magna engine) then the speed that the rear wheel would turn will be slower.

i think your right.lolz.... i 'm eating humble pie, but like you said this is a good thing
Nope, read that again.



The holden pulley is 179.5 so it has a larger front pulley (harmonic balancer) so the belt on the holden will be moving faster giving more boost compared to what the magna will be capable of at the same RPM.

As robessi said, think of it like a mountain bike. If you leave the rear gear set (in this case that would be the supercharger) on the same gear and only change the front gears (the engine) the overall speed that the rear wheel would turn will be greater when moved onto the larger gear (commodore engine). If you moved it to the smaller gear (magna engine) then the speed that the rear wheel would turn will be slower.

Update,
Got the engine setup today... and started mocking up the supercharger, "note" the supercharger looks huge, might have to do the bonnet mod that ego did... but this is a cheap kit remember!

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup1.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup2.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup3.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup4.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup5.jpg

Also.. intercoolering will come after this build, this is a 3000grand limit build.. after i got a dyno figure.. i'll slap some goodies on and improvements to it... "like" water/ air intercooler or water injection etc

Looking how high it is you might have some under bonnet clearance issues.

Update,
Also.. intercoolering will come after this build, this is a 3000grand limit build.. after i got a dyno figure.. i'll slap some goodies on and improvements to it... "like" water/ air intercooler or water injection etc
3000grand limit? You must be so rich haha.
Blower looks sexy

Looking how high it is you might have some under bonnet clearance issues.

Yep... But I got some ideas to make it fit... If not, custome bonnet bit of a it's about 40mm higher then the standard manifold

3000grand limit? You must be so rich haha.
Blower looks sexy

Not really just... The supercharger does look awesome up like that...would be nice polished up... See what happens

Eek! So exciting! I want it nowwwwwwww

Going well so far, finished designing and cutting out the top mock -up of the manifold... also took off some of the crap that was hanging of the supercharger that i dont need...
check it out

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup6.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup7.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup8.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup9.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup10.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup11.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup12.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup13.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup14.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb251/RhysDaFool/DANNIELLES%20MAGNA/enginemockup15.jpg
let me know what you reckon

So I noticed a boost control might work on this setup... The actuator it's a "vacuum and boost type" but I'm not sure if it will work seems it's after the throttle body? Any ideas

I imagine your MAF wouldn't like you very much

I imagine your MAF wouldn't like you very much

I was thinking the same thing, but they'll most likely remove The MAF, as they did on loud1

So I noticed a boost control might work on this setup... The actuator it's a "vacuum and boost type" but I'm not sure if it will work seems it's after the throttle body? Any ideas

I would need to know more on that type of boost control and I'm drunk right now because I can be so I'll try to remember to look it up later and let you know

I would need to know more on that type of boost control and I'm drunk right now because I can be so I'll try to remember to look it up later and let you know
It would have to be a digital... If iit was going to work... But I do have another Idea

hmm watching this close i happen to own a vt calis with 10lb boost m90 and a quick TF :) that ive sunk a few bucks into, sorry to say the calis beats old maggie off the line but the TF runs it down no probs, the m90 on a way lighter car would be fun

while that blower is off check the bypass acuator for vacume leaks and check for play in the coupler

hmm watching this close i happen to own a vt calis with 10lb boost m90 and a quick TF :) that ive sunk a few bucks into, sorry to say the calis beats old maggie off the line but the TF runs it down no probs, the m90 on a way lighter car would be fun

while that blower is off check the bypass acuator for vacume leaks and check for play in the coupler

i remember a VS Calais at work one day come in, there was a whopping sound that came from inside the supercharger, apparently the rod that runs through was bent and everytime u accelerated it would whopple LOL

sooooo the missus is wants a Intercooler... so i'm making a plate.. so i'm trying to figure out hows thats possible.. and because of this i'm planning on putting in a boost controller ( has been done on this forum before ) and order the smallest pulley i can get... this should be fun

sooooo the missus is wants a Intercooler... so i'm making a plate.. so i'm trying to figure out hows thats possible.. and because of this i'm planning on putting in a boost controller ( has been done on this forum before ) and order the smallest pulley i can get... this should be fun

I reckon its you that wants the intercooler, not your missus lol

sooooo the missus is wants a Intercooler... so i'm making a plate.. so i'm trying to figure out hows thats possible.. and because of this i'm planning on putting in a boost controller ( has been done on this forum before ) and order the smallest pulley i can get... this should be fun

Running it at its highest boost and then regulating it with the use of a boost controller will see the intake temps go through the roof because its allways spinning flat out there know for killing the rotor coatting and bearings when spun hard constantly.
I think your better off using the boost solonied and just using the right foot to control boost the further you press the throttle the more it closes and boost rises if you open the throttle full off the line it will shut off and give you full boost.

forgot to add im sure your aware there are multiple pulley sizes you can use would just get a lower boost and higher boost pulley and change the pulley as you see needed only takes a few min to change them

O and while your at it open the inlet up on the M90 as much as you can there is a easy 20-30hp to be found the m90 loves easy breathing theres one guy making over 330rwhp with just boltons and air to air cooling it stock internals

im guessing you have already been there but in the off chance you havent look here there will be heaps of info about the M90 will be great help to you l67torque.com

Any updates on this?

Very interesting read!
Bump for update :D

I have been entertaining thoughts about this recently.

Did this project get finished?
Did the M90 fit between the firewall on the block, or did you go with it mounted in the valley?
How did the engine hold up to the torque/heat - did it burn a piston or valve?
How was drivability?
What was done with the ECU?

Is it a kit I can buy, and would it work with the TCL and auto trans in the Veradah?

http://cdn.head-fi.org/9/9c/9cd17c67_holy20thread20resurrection.jpg

Yep, for sure.
This is almose exactly what I have been thinking about for a few weeks now, so if someone has done all the hard work before me - then time to leech off their mistakes and experiences :) :P

Yep, for sure.
This is almose exactly what I have been thinking about for a few weeks now, so if someone has done all the hard work before me - then time to leech off their mistakes and experiences :) :P

Don't think it was completed. I mean, it was an impossible task to begin with.

So the fundamentals of the idea will work, yes?
The root of the issue is getting the blower mounted, the boost control (do you need a BPV if the TB is upstream from the blower? I would think not) and the ECU? Or is the M90 just too big to fit in the engine bay?
I would have expected a twin screw/blower to be a great match for these engines as they are smooth and have a great spread of power, so why are there so few examples of blown Magnas?

There has to be something I am missing here as to why this is so hard...

Something i've been wondering about when it comes to forced induction.... is WHY do you need an aftermarket ECU? It doesn't make any sense to me..... the MAF is after all a Mass 'Air' Flow sensor. It records how much air is coming in to the engine. Hence if you put a MAF before the supercharger it's going to register more air coming in. Wouldn't it therefore cause the stock ECU to inject more fuel and bobs your uncle?

why are there so few examples of blown Magnas?

There has to be something I am missing here as to why this is so hard...

Cost and reliability mainly.

I take that to mean that the factory innards cannot take much more pressure, and therefore you run into the cost of rods and pistons very early in the quest for power? Or is there something else?

I know I'm asking some basic questions here, I seem to have made some assumptions along the way that are incorrect.

Something i've been wondering about when it comes to forced induction.... is WHY do you need an aftermarket ECU? It doesn't make any sense to me..... the MAF is after all a Mass 'Air' Flow sensor. It records how much air is coming in to the engine. Hence if you put a MAF before the supercharger it's going to register more air coming in. Wouldn't it therefore cause the stock ECU to inject more fuel and bobs your uncle?

Yes, the MAF will measure air, but it usually runs out of range with all the extra boosted air going through it.
As a real rough numbers out my a$$ example, say it runs at 80% capacity when the engine is at full rpm and full load (maximum amount of air the engine will require)
Now, lets say a turbo or supercharger at that same maximum rpm and load adds 60% more airflow through the engine.
Your MAF will only add in the extra 20% then flatline for the rest.


Cost and reliability mainly.
Cost is a big one. There are 2 kinds of car people, those who can build it themselves and those who pay someone else.
(im not saying there is anything wrong with being either, so dont flame)
For the ones that can build it themselves, they come up with the crazy projects, but often also spend the time, effort and money on a 'better' car, Supra, Skyline, rotor, classic muscle car, old school jap ect ect.
The magnas are a very good car, but lets face it, they are a mass produced family sedan aimed at an older market, they arent really seen as sporty or desirable once they got a few years on them.

The magnas are a very good car, but lets face it, they are a mass produced family sedan aimed at an older market, they arent really seen as sporty or desirable once they got a few years on them.

Yes, indeed.
Why spoil a reliable and powerful car by parking a blower on it? (unless racecar!)

I'm regularly driving between Adelaide and Nairne through the back roads, done it several times in a manual CJ Lancer, and yesterday in my TJ auto sedan. With the Lancer, I need to judge run-ups and gear changes precisely, to maintain speed in some hilly parts. The TJ just powers up the hills. In the Lancer, the lack of power is obvious, in the TJ I did the drive in less time and a much more relaxed manner and never felt "Shoot, this thing needs a supercharger/turbo!" So why spoil a good thing?

(9.6 L/100Km for the Magna, 7.6L/100 km for the Lancer, hardly worth worrying about really.)

Call me a junkie, but there isnt enough life in the 74/auto trans combo in my 'rada. I need more roll on torque for some solid pulling power in 3rd. I may be able to get the desired result with some cams and converter work, but boost is more fun

Put in a 3.8 should keep you happy for awhile

Something i've been wondering about when it comes to forced induction.... is WHY do you need an aftermarket ECU? It doesn't make any sense to me..... the MAF is after all a Mass 'Air' Flow sensor. It records how much air is coming in to the engine. Hence if you put a MAF before the supercharger it's going to register more air coming in. Wouldn't it therefore cause the stock ECU to inject more fuel and bobs your uncle?
Regarding the aftermarket ECU, it is an assumption by many that it is the only way. In part this derives from:
- reasonably comprehensive ROM definitions for stock ECUs not being widely available until relatively recently (2011 or thereabouts, compared to 2006-07 for Evo 7/8)
- lack of awareness of that availability
- in many cases tuners only want to work with what they know (which is usually the commercial standalone and piggyback ECUs)

As a practical matter the Karman Vortex MAF on 3.5l Magnas can support effective displacement approaching 7l. It does need to be operated upstream of the compressor though with sufficient piping length between the two to avoid pressure wave back propagation interfering with the flow measurement.

The stock Magna ECU code doesn't include some niceties which are included in the Evo ECU code which limits its effectiveness with more extreme setups, however keeping the boost to limits the stock 6G74 bottom end can cope with (around 6-7psi seems to be the consensus from my reading) should be well within what the stock code can manage without major operational issues (though some tables/maps need to be rescaled to optimise fuel flow and ignition timing once boost kicks in).

So in having a KH auto Varada, everything is against me. Oh well, guess ill leave it stock and wait for this mill to expire and then evaluate options from there.