MGB & GT Forum

What is the pros or cons in having a supercharger on a mgb engine. Thanks

There are several guys here with superchargers on their cars and I am sure they will chime in. But your question seems very broad to me, what are your concerns about installing one?

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Endeavor to Persevere

"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Let me start by saying I don't have a supercharger...

Biggest con in my opinion: The cost per extra horsepower is obscene. Moss price is about $3900 USD, if you have to pay someone to install it, you'll be in a lot more. But let's assume you do it yourself and everything else is already perfect so say it's only $3900. Moss shows test dyno results where they obtained a tick under 44 additional hp.

$3900/44 = $89 per hp which seems a bit high.

The end result is a car that will only keep up with current sedans such as a Toyota Camry.

If money is no object, then by all means it certainly looks like fun, but so would a V-6 or V-8 swap. Cost on those can run a wide range of course depending on your DIY capability and the specs you're seeking.

On the other hand, $3900 spent on driving lessons at racing school will probably make you a better driver than the extra 44 hp.

cons.

You have to keep on cleaning the bugs off your teeth from grinning so much.


It's pretty simple.

If you really love your MGB and would never part with it. But, are underwhelmed by it's ability to pull hills and get out of the way of econo hatches.

Then the supercharger is a bolt on way to make the car a lot more fun.


If you are happy with the way your MGB runs in traffic or if you'd rather spend your money on another car, then the supercharger makes absolutely no sense.

It's not about the money.

Ask someone who owns and drives one. I'm biased. I drove mine to work this morning and am still smiling.

Kelvin.

The absolutely love mine. I have had it for 2 summers now 3rd season coming up. It is much quicker. I always said if there was one thing I could do to my MG is give it more power. If you don't have an overdrive or a 5th speed you will wish you had one with the SC.

I think an example is I would come up on someone driving 50mph and would want to pass them it seemed almost dangerously slow without the SC especially if you get some a-hole who proceed to accelerate when you go to pass. I don't even think about it anymore and it just makes it so fun to drive.

You will get the guy to say do the V6/V8 conversion it's cheaper. That is true if you don't give any value to your time and the problem you will run into with a conversion. The supercharger is easy to do if you have any mechanical skills at all. The directions are excellent. It includes everything but a distributor tuned to the SC(which i would highly recommend).

The other plus is it still retains that stock look. I would check your engine over and make sure it is not needing a rebuild/ valve job etc. If the money isn't an issue and the engine is in good shape you won't regret it.

They're the best thing since sliced bread. I've been running one for 10 years and it still brings a grin to my face whenever I drive my car. The installation is straight forward and is completely reversible with no permanent modifications to the car required. The additional power comes on seamlessly and transforms the way I drive the car. I have an OD transmission and find myself rarely downshifting. I flick a switch and go into and out of OD instead. The few cons are the initial cash outlay, they've gone up $900 since I purchased mine, and the annoying place that the belt tensioner is located. It's a pain to get to with human tools. It's the best modification that I've done to the car in the 40 years that I've owned it. The second best thing was the rebuilt Black label 4 synchro/OD transmission that I installed some 25 years ago. Come to think of it, that came from Moss also. RAY

Cons: price and the might as wells that it opens up, cam, headwork, ignition

Pros: no unreversable modifications, enough power to surprise a few people, cost/hp isn't that bad, its still an MGB.

The only con for me is the decreased gas mileage - but mine is on a modified engine which is not recommended.

Pro's
- more smiles per gallon
- my mechanics daughter is now able to go to Grad school
- makes me want to drive the supercharged B instead of the MINI
- see first item

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bob g
1966 OEW MGB
1966 OEW MGB-GT
1973 Green Mallard MGB (supercharged)
1976 Inca Yellow TR6
2009 Laser Blue MINI Cooper S
2011 Jet Stream Blue 3LT Corvette Grand Sport (the Blue Whale)

No cons - lots of pros.....
I've had the SC on my MGB for approx 10 years now and never a moment of regret.
Kit arrived in the mail on Sat morning - I was driving the car by Sunday evening
Spent the next few weeks fiddling with mixture and different pulleys. Had it dynoed
at 95hp at the wheels. But it's not about power - it really about torque and lots
of it/ Boost comes in at 2000 rpm and you can feel the engine pull like a freight
train.

No problems keeping up with modern traffic - especially overtaking on the highway
where the 60-80 time is quick - even by today's standards. No need to rev the engine
either - I rarely go about 3500 rpm (except on the highway). Fuel mileage is about
the same (27mpg) - as you now use torque and not revs.

Each to his own but the SC installation was much easier than an engine swap (V6/V8)
and is totally reversible and go back to stock in a week-ends work. I could probably
sell the SC for the same price that I bought it. Oh - and on the question of price,
I paid $1400 for my kit brand new - if you are patient enough and willing to do the
leg-work - there are bargains out there. I doubt I could have done a V6 conversion
for less. Would I spend $3900 on a SC kit - not sure.

Okay there are a couple of cons:
1 - I have a 3-main engine and the bearings to get a beating; so I have to change them
more often than I used to.
2 - Off-boost performance is a little sluggish - but once you get used to it - it's
no bit deal.

The parting comment I would make: if I had not installed the SC - I probably would have
sold the car a long time ago. The SC added the torque I was looking for and has made the
car a lot safer in modern traffic.

Gerry

Bought my car for 4000.00. Couldn't see doubling it for a hp gain. The HS4s installed last year have made a huge difference that i can live with for a lot less.

Waiting to install mine....need the engine back from the machine shop...but really looking forward to it.

We Johnstons all think alike.

Need to get in a hurry to get my engine comp cleaned, painted & ready
for the lump to return from the 'chine shop so I can enjoy the SC.

I can only agree with the other supercharger users no drawbacks at all except that tuning is a little more critical. Mine has done 40,000 miles in just over eight years and still puts the fun in driving while still keeping the B character and above all exhaust note. There are also lots of small refinements that can be done over time that can lift the performance still further without spending a lot of money. Denis

Can't add much more than those who've already posted. Love mine!

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John Moore

'70 MGB, '68 MGBGT, '99 Land Rover Discovery II, '61 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite

Yup I agree there Denis, an AFR meter has helped me no end should have had one fitted from day 1.