So there I was all excited with my recent install, cruising mellowly down the highway when I hear a clunk in the engine bay and loss of power. Well.....to make a long story short, the main pulley snapped off the front of the Supercharger. The bolt holding the pulley on was snapped in half!!!!!

I hobbled home in my crippled Z, unable to generate more than negative 3psi on my boost gauge as the air was being painfully sucked throgh a non-functional supercharger, intercooler, etc.

Anyway, Adam at Z1 ,where I purchased the kit was extremely helpful and got on the matter right away. I'll be sending the bolt back to HKS so they can "inspect" it. Hopefully this is just a case of a one-time defect, although a design flaw is not out of the question.

When speaking with HKS directly today, they were very guarded in their responses. I'm hoping they'll see fit to deal with this in a TIMELY MANNER. Anyway, I'm being civil with everyone for now....hey, **** happens. Just as long as they "do the right thing".

 

Damn, that sucks. I hope HKS makes good, since the HKS SC sounded like such a good package

 

im sorry to hear that man.

 

Can you tell what type of bolt was used? Nothing less than Grade 8 steel should be used....at least that I would think.

 

I sure hope that they "do the right thing". I was just talking to my co-worker about this conservative, mild, and safe FI an hour ago and told him that it should be nearly flawless but I guess I'll hold that thought for now.

 

Wow. This is disturbing. I was seriously 5 minutes away from selling my NX and getting this kit. Please keep us posted on what happens next, hopefully you just had a faulty unit

PS - What were your final dyno #s on the kit after install.

Thanks,
Jim

 

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully your problem will be solved shortly.

Do you have a pic of the pulley?

Jeff

 

This isnt a post I wanted read seeing I just ordered a HKS SC, But then again these things happen sometimes.

 

Speedracer, did that happen on I495? On Oct 9th, this past saturday? My condolences...

 

For anyone who has this kit, or is considering purchasing it please do a thorough search for othe owners feedback on any "Rotrex" based supercharger system. As used on many BMW's, Ferrari's etc... and attempted by some VW tuners...

just an FYI,

 

C'mon Jeff, you're as informed as anyone about these blowers...fill us in.

 

Sorry to hear that man...it really is disturbing to hear, I have my HKS SC sitting in my living room as we speak. Good thing the gauges I ordered from Z1 are taking forever or else I could be having problems right. Hopefully the bolt is just a one time deal.

How driveable is it with the non functional kit installed? Keep us updated

 

I agree. It sounds like the lower grade bolt may have been over-tightened. Any pics of the bolt before you send it off would be helpful.

 

Do you guys think there is anything I can do to prevent this from happening?

 

I might be stepping on toes here but I just dont think this is something that will keep happening to the HKS kits. I see two problems 1 they torked the bolt down to much I think they kit comes with the # for each bolt or 2 it was just a bad bolt to start with. I feel #2 is more to blame

 

let's wait til he hear back from HKS before we can assume the conclusion.

 

yea so we know in a few weeks if there is anything that should be done before I get mine on.

 

I hope this get resolved right of way by HKS.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about HKS's product quality, HKS will sort out this design problem or component quality issue very quickly.

Peter

APS

 

Interesting that you should bring up the issue of drivability. Actually, it isn't that bad. It is basically like having a more restrictive intake on a stock engine. I am actually surprised how well it drives!!!! Really....the air has to be sucked through a non-functional supercharger, through all the twists and turns of the narrower piping, through the intercooler, and through a narrower than stock main intake pipe. All considered, I can still get up to a -1psi reading on my boost gauge. At lower rpms the throttle response isn't much different from stock. The engine does start to feel starved for air as the rpms rise, however, but I still wouldn't call the car "slow". I'm still probably low 6's 0-60. Anyway, I will keep you all posted as things unfold.