Mugen’s Latest Honda CR-Z Adds Supercharger, Offers 197 Horsepower

[ArtJDM]

Originally Posted by VTEC Mini

Don't forget, the exhaust manifold is part of the cylinder head so you will always have that choking point no matter what mods you do. You also have the cam shafts which are limited by profile, separation and lift to how much HP and torque you can make regardless. Unless you are absolutely fanatical about the CR-Z or planning all out racing the investment is not worth it when their is so much out their as far as different cars that do offer much more for the same price as a CR-Z if not just a little bit more.

I would just hate to see some losing money on mods because of "manufacture claims" when those gains all though will increase but not to the hope of the buyer. I am not saying mods are a waste of money as long as perspective is kept.

I'm pretty sure we all know our car's limitations and I'd hope none of us have any 500hp delusions of grandeur. I don't think a Mugen supercharger would be one of those parts that would lower the value of a car since it would technically be an OEM upgrade like the Mugen bodykit or A-Spec suspension on teh RSX.

[VTEC Mini]

Originally Posted by ArtJDM

I'm pretty sure we all know our car's limitations and I'd hope none of us have any 500hp delusions of grandeur. I don't think a Mugen supercharger would be one of those parts that would lower the value of a car since it would technically be an OEM upgrade like the Mugen bodykit or A-Spec suspension on teh RSX.

I am not so sure. I have seen people spend big money on intakes and exhuast on this forum and not getting what I consider good or fair HP to dollar ratio. I think trying to hit 200 HP on the engine is a stretch with bolt-ons and maintain reliability and driveability never mind 500HP.

As far as the Mugen SC. In my opinion Mugen is way overpriced for anything it has to do with. You will never gain the money back out of it for what you put into it. By the time you add CR-Z plus SC kit (Which I am sure is at least $10K considering just their body kit is $9K) your looking at a two seater hybrid that is $35K+. That is EVO, STi, Golf Type R range. Honda has a hard time selling now for $22K and a used, good one for $17K. That brings me back to unless you are fanatical about the CR-Z or want to race it is not worth it. My opinion of coarse.

[Kyleseghatch]

I plan on keeping the CR-Z long before I worry about resell value, by the time I sell this car it will all be profit (perks of only being 23). I may not be fanatical but as soon as a reliable proven turbo setup is released for the CR-Z I will certainly be purchasing it. The turbo allows you to still keep decent fuel economy and everyone knows a nice power boost is needed in our zippy little space ships.

[harley888]

I was “into” high-end audio for awhile- I lost interest when I realized I’d stopped enjoying just listening to my tunes- I got so caught up in dollar to watt or speaker wire cost vs. actual results vs. “I invested lots ah’ cash and damit I’m ganna hear a difference”-
Now I’m “into” my car- I can blow my money on strippers, give it to the church or gamble it away- It’s a hobby I’m jus havin’ fun with- Yea! I wanna go faster, I want what to me is a respectable ride- I don’t want to get caught up in details and lose the good part- the fun a just doin ! ..A friend was kidding me- I didn’t want to go faster then him , I just wanna go faster then the CR-Z next to me….

[Kyleseghatch]

Originally Posted by harley888

I didn’t want to go faster then him , I just wanna go faster then the CR-Z next to me….

I like to pretend every prius on the highway wants to race and fly past them. Haha.

[Scotty001]

^ Ever seen so many of em?

[drheem]

Originally Posted by Kyleseghatch

I like to pretend every prius on the highway wants to race and fly past them. Haha.

Hahhaha nice one! But it's true. The crz is a hybrid, no way will it ever compete with other cars that are not hybrids. Other cars start out with more hp and torque than we will ever get. I have a e36 m3 that starts 240hp stock, so the crz can never expect to compete with that regardless on what mod it has. Mod your car on how you like it, with a certaint perspective. That's my suggestion. I personally would not pay 9k for a blower even if it puts the Crz up in the 200hp range. So I retract what I said that I would swipe on it ASAP. Price is also a factor.

[harley888]

dollar vs smile = return on investment

[carlg1212]

^I feel ya, but, you're comparing apples and oranges, qualitative vs. quantitative. The law of diminishing returns reigns supreme.

I spent ~$800 for an intake and exhaust; it breaths so much better now and throttle response definitely is noticeable. To me, yeah, that was worth it. I felt the engine was getting chocked due to stock OEM limitations.

But, if you get the supercharger, you will almost certainly need a few extra things:
1.) head gasket replacement
2.) timing changes (Hondata) so you don't run too lean
3.) larger radiator or better oil cooler
4.) better clutch

These will get you the biggest return on investment. It's also freakin' painful to install yourself unless you know what you're doing. Outsourcing the install to your local mechanic will cost thousands.

If you just put a supercharger in, all those potential gains get lost due to the stock OEM limitations.

[ArtJDM]

I think that all depends on who releases it. The HKS one, sure you would need to change all of that out, but if Honda's in house tuning company releases it, they would be more likely to work with the factory specifications.