WFO9 Supercharger Install and results thread

[wfo9]

I figured I would start a thread since this may help others doing the install in the future.

Since, I'm part of the pilot program, there will be a few things done differently (mainly how the ECU is flashed)...

Overall, the installation has been very easy so far, but there have been a few minor gotchas that could have been avoided with the right tools on hand...

I've also learned several things about the kit along the way... so I will attempt to document those here also. My feedback is going directly to Magnuson.. so they will most likely incorporate some of it into the installation guide (which is already very good)

Feel free to ask any questions related to the kit... but please try to avoid the "A supercharger is not worth the money to me...." comments. It's obvious this is not for everyone... so it really adds nothing when someone states their particular reasoning or opinion.

To clarify, I'm not done yet. Only been working on it after work and when I have some free time. There is no huge rush since I'm waiting to get the ECU back anyway.

The posts below will be the highlights of the process. I'll do them as I have fee time (might take a while to catch up).

 

[rochmpr]

I figured I would start a thread since this may help others doing the install in the future.

Since, I'm part of the pilot program, there will be a few things done differently (mainly how the ECU is flashed)...

Overall, the installation has been very easy so far, but there have been a few minor gotchas that could have been avoided with the right tools on hand...

I've also learned several things about the kit along the way... so I will attempt to document those here also. My feedback is going directly to Magnuson.. so they will most likely incorporate some of it into the installation guide (which is already very good)

Feel free to ask any questions related to the kit... but please try to avoid the "A supercharger is not worth the money to me...." comments. It's obvious this is not for everyone... so it really adds nothing when someone states their particular reasoning or opinion.

To clarify, I'm not done yet. Only been working on it after work and when I have some free time. There is no huge rush since I'm waiting to get the ECU back anyway.

The posts below will be the highlights of the process. I'll do them as I have fee time (might take a while to catch up).

Looking forward to the results and the install. Glad to see this has finally made it into production. Personally, I am still undecided, but am very interested to see the results of this. That's awesome you were able to get into the program.

 

[Brandonium]

Awesome I'll be watching this thread!

 

[wfo9]

The kit arrives in two very well put together boxes.

One box contains the the compressor, manifold, and charged air cooler. The other contains all the misc parts and instructions. One box is about 50lbs and the other is about 30.

The packaging is extremely professional. All the misc parts are vacuumed sealed and kitted together.

The instruction booklet is about 80 pages with 300 plus steps. each step includes a picture.

 

[LawnDart]

Looking forward to the results and the install. Glad to see this has finally made it into production. Personally, I am still undecided, but am very interested to see the results of this. That's awesome you were able to get into the program.

Same about the indecisiveness. I plan to make mexico trips a lot more often, and a SC would be a poor choice for countries of lower grade octane.

 

[wfo9]

The kit does require premium fuel as highlighted in several places.

We know this is related to the high static compression of the motor... when you add boost the octane requirements obviously go up to avoid detonation under high dynamic cylinder pressure.

If you are caught in a a place where there is no premium fuel at stations.... there is a product I have used in the past in racing scenarios with great results called Torco. 32 oz to 20 gallons of 87 bumps octane up to a 92 rating.. so it is easy to carry along in a pinch...

One thing that impressed me (although a small thing). Is the kit comes with stickers (belt routing, belt part numbers, fuel requirements) and a diagnostic port cover. It gives it an OEM quality feel.

 

[wfo9]

For me, the first step of the install was removing the ECU. Released buyers will not have to do this step (since a handheld programmer will be included). It is really not that difficult at all, but there are a lot of connectors....

The ECU sits up behind the glove box next to the blower motor. What you see on the floor is the knee air bag. The ECU is removed in this picture and the numbered connectors are all the wires going to it.

 

[wfo9]

What I quickly realized during the install is you will spend a lot of time leaning into the engine bay and reaching.... this makes for a really difficult time with a lift/high hood... So first step was to pull the front wheels and lower the truck down as much as possible. This made things much easier. Also, go ahead and remove the front skid plate as you will need to reach up in there from the bottom to remove some bolts on the fan shroud.. later.

 

[wfo9]

The next few steps in the install involve stripping off the intake system. Normally you just remove the plastic intake parts exposing the aluminum intake ports (which the blower charged air cooler box bolts directly to).. However, I found quite a bit of oily grime down in my intake runners/head ports and decided to pull that and give it a good cleaning also. It was not difficult to pull, but not fun job since some gas has to spill out of the fuel rails... To clarify, that step is not part of the normal install and it added quite a bit of time. I just had trouble not cleaning it up while I was in there.

The oil comes from the PCV and it is really not a big deal, but does kill octane and I wanted to start fresh and clean. My truck also spends a lot of time in very dusty conditions offroad, so it was extra nasty. I hope the snorkel will help with the dust ingestion. My guess is most would look bad in there...

 

[flybooey]

This looks like a tonne of fun, cant wait to follow this install.
The sound is going to be sweet!

Have fun!

 

[graciedad04]

Thanks for doing this @wfo9. I am looking forward to the results.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[wfo9]

The rest of the install was very smooth up until the point where I had to remove the crank pulley bolt and install the blower drive pulley.

The instructions mention using an impact gun... Well, the one I have was not even close to being powerful enough (at 700 ft/lbs) and I was having an issue with the regulator on my air compressor.

I could not find anyway to hold the flex plate to keep the engine from turning... The manual calls for a special service tool to remove the bolt (basically a tool to hold the pulley in place), but I obviously did not have that. So, I ended up making one. It worked, but took me almost an entire day to get that bolt off.

I really wish I would have known this going in because it would have been much simpler to buy a proper tool. They are available from several sellers and run about $50. It is possible an impact gun of enough power could have done it.. but considering the force and leverage it took.. I don't see how. Magnuson said they used a cordless one that was powerful enough for them.

I've given feedback to magnuson about this and they are looking into a solution or additional instructions.

The same tool can also be used (and is really needed) to tighten the bolt to the correct torque spec of 200+ ft/lbs. I would guess it took over 1000 to get mine off. Heat may have helped get it off, but I did not feel comfortable using it with the crank seal.... There was clearly red thread locker on the bolt.

BTW, the tool holes in the crank pulley are m8 1.25 with ~ 65mm of spacing on center. The blower pulley comes with the exact same holes drilled in it (but not threaded and enough diameter to clear the bolts)

 

[Grug556]

Good deal on the custom tool. LIking that garage setup you got there to :trophy:

 

[The Waco Kid]

Maybe they'll consider adding SST to the production package, or as an add on item when ordering. Worth Magnuson looking into.

 

[wfo9]

Since I have a few of these trucks in my maintenance fleet LOL .. I went ahead and order this tool Schley-64300. I think it will solve all the problems and I will try to verify the bolt length needed to torque the new pulley on (they will probably need to be a bit longer to do it right). The tool is $50 - $65

The other option that Mangunson is looking into is tool to hold the flywheel/flex plate (usually done near the starter engagement window), Those are pretty common on many installs, but did not look like an obvious solution for these trucks.

This is why it is good to do pilot installs.... These necessary tools... issues will be worked out by the time regular customers are involved. If I had a huge impact gun I may have never had this issue, but I'm still not sure how you could torque it correctly without something to hold it.

 

[enapa]

No way a strap/chain wrench would work?

 

[THESS]

I personally didnt use that tool. I used AJ aka Fotornr lol

 

[nb rob]

Great thread!!

Looking forward to more

 

[Bighead2001]

 

[wfo9]

No way a strap/chain wrench would work?

Pulley will get messed up.....and the torque is simply way too high. They are locked on with red threadlocker and way over 200 ft/lbs. You need at least 800 to break it loose.