Option Magazine Scans (Jan. 2011)

[Bulletproof ECO]

Hey guys and gals, just thought I'd share a few scans from the latest and greatest Option Japan Magazine. The Espirit CR-Z actually nabbed the back cover of this months issue, GO GO CR-Z!

One of the main features of this issue is the Tsukuba Lap Battle between the Top Secret Turbo CR-Z, and the HKS Supercharged CR-Z. A DVD will be release in February documenting the track gathering:



The magazine had famous race/drift driver Nobuteru Taniguchi drive both cars for an even matchup, as well as got his impressions on both setups:



The fastest laps of the day recorded by each vehicle came in as follows:

Top Secret (TD04H Turbocharger) : 1:06.368
HKS (Supercharger) CR-Z: 1:07.040

And finally, some detailed specs on both cars and their respective setups!



I can't read Kanji/Japanese, but I'll have one of my guys in the office give me a run down on the rough translation. There are a few things you guys can extract though so there is some good info here. Plus it's always nice to have shiny new pictures right!

- Jason

[Thrilla]

Thanks Jason!

[gomarlins3]

Pretty pictures.

[Shatner]

I knew the turbocharged Z was faster before even reading/looking. Why do people supercharge no torque 4 cylinders?

I know suspension adjustment plays a role in running faster laps. But I still believe a lot of it was turbo vs. supercharger.

[northbridge]

^ superchargers tend to be less high maintainance and there is no such thing as boost lag.

this was not a highly technical explanation because i know that smaller turbos have less lag etc... but that's a general overview. For a dd car if a supercharger can get me to the power levels i want then i would rather supercharge than turbo. Turbo has its benefits too. Just depends on what you're looking for.

[TinTin]

^ agreed, i would supercharge over turbo also for DD. If i was to build a full out race car then sure turbo is better. For reliability though in my mind its pretty 50 50. Superchargers have pullies, and belts that can slip and fall off. Turbos have potential to overboost, or have leaks.

The other thing that would give superchargers the one up for me is that most supercharger companies dont F around, they build a quality product and you dont get many knockoff crappy garbage components. With turbos, you can buy a kit off ebay for a fraction of the price of a real kit. Its hard for someone who is new to boost to know that ebay = crap. and who knows where or what you are buying, theres knockoffs everywhere!

Im just basing my opinion on the Si superchargers, i havent heard very many horros stories and companies making these seem to be getting good feedback.

Anyone who has a valid argument please enlighten me! But im talking for Daily driving, no more than 200 whp

[gomarlins3]

I have a SC on my S and have had ZERO issues with it after 100's of autoX laps and numerous track days. A buddy of mine has a turbo on his and we have about the same WHP (he has more torque) and he had nothing but issues for the first year. Turbos are nice, but for a DD, I'll stick with my SC. Even on a torqueless 4 cylinder.