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  • RIPP vs. Magnuson...SuperCharger Shootout!

    You knew it was coming. Its finally here. We are going to turn these to SuperCharger heavy weights loose against one another in a battery of tests. Lets get to know the competitors.



    Reigning Champ - Black Betty. She's and internet celebrity, been on the cutting edge of prototype gear for the last 2 years. She'll be representing RIPP SuperChargers in this all out throw down. She is a Rubicon Unlimited with 4.10 gearing and for the purposes of these tests, she will shed her 37'' KM2s in favor of BFG Kms 255/75r17. (stock Rubi tires)



    The Challenger - Sweet Pea / Pea Soup'd. Yes she's got two names, one from us, and the other from one of our readers. She's essentially brand new. 2013 JKUR all stock everything....Except her Magnuson SuperCharger.



    Whats the difference? Two routes to the same end. MORE POWER. its widely known that there is really no way to add punch to your JEEP JK without taking drastic measures. We have done the dyno testing on intakes and exhausts. The sound changes, but not much else. If you really want to unleash the beast that is your pentastar JK motor, we are paving the road for you.
    This article was originally published in forum thread: RIPP vs. Magnuson...SuperCharger Shootout! started by JeepLab View original post
    Comments 243 Comments
    1. doc5339's Avatar
      doc5339 -
      I thought that Black Betty and Sweet Pea are pretty similar: both Manual Transmissions, 4.10 rears, probably both have relatively big tires and equivalent lifts; unless all of this was just temporary for Dyno and 0-60 times during the shootout?

      I do not think that recording real-world MPG over time is meaningless. Threads on MPG tend to become meaningless because owners read the "lie-o-meter" and do not hand-calculate and note fuel type, mods, top-off, hard top, type of driving, etc.

      I figure this is JeepLab, so cost per HP/Torque is as valid as average cost per mile. Not trying to do some scientific EPA-like study, just what guys are actually averaging over time, which includes WOT accelerations, wheeling, commuting, or whatever else they're doing.

      Am I the only guy using Fuelly? I find that it is a very good tool for many things, especially knowing what it costs per mile to drive, which really gives an idea of the true cost of ownership along with maintenance, repair, and modification spreadsheets.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Still pretty meaningless. All descriptions of type of driving, etc, are all still quite relative/subjective. People drive differently, and the way you drive can have a big impact on MPG. Yes, tracking your own fuel economy can be helpful for budgeting, indications of engine problems, etc. But comparing your MPG to someone else with different mods tells you nothing about how that mod affected MPG. There's no way to know how much personal driving patterns/habits are contributing to differences.
    1. doc5339's Avatar
      doc5339 -
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      Still pretty meaningless. All descriptions of type of driving, etc, are all still quite relative/subjective. People drive differently, and the way you drive can have a big impact on MPG. Yes, tracking your own fuel economy can be helpful for budgeting, indications of engine problems, etc. But comparing your MPG to someone else with different mods tells you nothing about how that mod affected MPG. There's no way to know how much personal driving patterns/habits are contributing to differences.
      I get that Pickles, I am just really curious to know how Black Betty and Sweet Pea are doing MPG-wisw, subjective as that may be.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      The best you could aim for is asking people whether they noticed a change in MPG after installing their supercharger. But the problem here is that we're talking about major performance mods that are likely to cause you to change the way you drive. how much are the results impacted by changes in driving habits caused by the availability of more power? And will the same mod cause you to change your driving habits the same way? Probably not.

      The point is that there are so many factors involving location, and personal driving habits/patterns that you are not going to get any valid information about which supercharger has better fuel economy by asking people on the Internet unless there are extreme differences. The only way to find out would be to do specific comparison that involved a procedure that removed as many variables as possible. but even then, the results are only valid for that particular procedure. If one supercharger gets 3 MPG better in the comparison, the same supercharger could just as easily get 3MPG worse for your particular driving patterns/habits. And you don't even know what your new driving habits will be with the additional power.
    1. doc5339's Avatar
      doc5339 -
      Every driver, Dyno, road, fuel, mod, type of driving are all different. Some Jeepers, like me record fill-ups and MPG-pertinent data, and I am hoping this may be the case with Black Betty and Sweet Pea.

      I simply want to know what kind of average MPG these two Jeeps have been getting, that's all. If there is no data on them, no worries.

      I am not trying to go for an empirical study. The testing that has been done in the shootout is also by no means a study; it is just an idea of how the mods perform on two similar vehicles.

      So I am no trying to figure which supercharger is overall better. I am just curious.
    1. mpaone1040's Avatar
      mpaone1040 -
      new to this site. I have a 2011 JKU sport, 4.88's 35x12.5x18. RIPP gen 2, with RIPP headers, and AFE hituck. I have the latest RIPP tune(2 weeks ago) generally speaking, I love the RIPP. for me there are not alot of rocks here in CT, but north there are plenty of trails that keep me and my family entertained. I have been thinking about adding the hi altitude pulley and somewhere in this thread(just read all of it) there was a point where JL was going to install the smaller pulley? but then it got sidetracked. I was just wondering if any of the RIPP guys on here have the smaller pulley and if it was worth the upgrade. as a said I really cannot complain about my current set up, i do experience "lift to shift" occasionally, other than that its pretty stable.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by mpaone1040 View Post
      new to this site. I have a 2011 JKU sport, 4.88's 35x12.5x18. RIPP gen 2, with RIPP headers, and AFE hituck. I have the latest RIPP tune(2 weeks ago) generally speaking, I love the RIPP. for me there are not alot of rocks here in CT, but north there are plenty of trails that keep me and my family entertained. I have been thinking about adding the hi altitude pulley and somewhere in this thread(just read all of it) there was a point where JL was going to install the smaller pulley? but then it got sidetracked. I was just wondering if any of the RIPP guys on here have the smaller pulley and if it was worth the upgrade. as a said I really cannot complain about my current set up, i do experience "lift to shift" occasionally, other than that its pretty stable.
      I did get sidetracked. Here's why -

      1. I had the SC apart when Id the clean out, and I couldn't get the standard pulley off.

      2. BB is a rocket, I really didnt feel the need for more power. It made 328 hp at the rear wheel.

      Another guy in the forum Deola, had the high alt pulley and his review was positive. With the 3.8 i wouldnt hesitate to crank it up. That is a very tough motor.
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Quote Originally Posted by JeepLab View Post
      1. I had the SC apart when Id the clean out, and I couldn't get the standard pulley off.
      Did you ever contact RIPP to get any advice on how to remove the pulley?
    1. 2k13jk's Avatar
      2k13jk -
      Has anyone tried the hi alt. pulley on a 3.6 at sea level conditions?
    1. Bullfighter's Avatar
      Bullfighter -
      Quote Originally Posted by 2k13jk View Post
      Has anyone tried the hi alt. pulley on a 3.6 at sea level conditions?
      I've had the smaller pulley on for awhile, pretty much as soon as they came out with it. On the gauge it shows about 3lbs more boost wound out and shows the boost coming on at a much lower rpm. This is a 3.6 manual btw. In the seat of the pants you do feel a difference and worth the few bucks. As for changing the pulley, it's pretty easy. Just use a puller and it takes about a minute.
    1. JeepLab's Avatar
      JeepLab -
      Quote Originally Posted by Bullfighter View Post
      I've had the smaller pulley on for awhile, pretty much as soon as they came out with it. On the gauge it shows about 3lbs more boost wound out and shows the boost coming on at a much lower rpm. This is a 3.6 manual btw. In the seat of the pants you do feel a difference and worth the few bucks. As for changing the pulley, it's pretty easy. Just use a puller and it takes about a minute.
      LOL, not a wrench?

      have you got a sound byte of the hi alt? Ill post standard alt next to it.
    1. Bullfighter's Avatar
      Bullfighter -
      Quote Originally Posted by JeepLab View Post
      LOL, not a wrench?

      have you got a sound byte of the hi alt? Ill post standard alt next to it.
      No sound bytes, don't have'm. Wrench? I didn't think I would have to go from beginning to end here. Nuts and bolts is all but if you really need the details then an impact wrench is a must. Spin the nut off. Put the puller on and crank it to until the pulley comes off. Carefully tap the pulley down with a piece of wood and use a thread locker when u re-torque the nut. Re-install and possibly reprogram. It's that simple. Now if you want to get really crazy install a catch can too. You won't believe the amount of oil you get going into your intake. The catch can install will probably take longer to do. Good luck
    1. 2k13jk's Avatar
      2k13jk -
      I'd like to change to the smaller pulley but being afraid lifting the head or spinning a bearing or worse blowing a rod. As far as a catch can I have one, if you install one be sure to plumb it into both pcv lines from the left bank and right bank on the engine
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Quote Originally Posted by 2k13jk View Post
      As far as a catch can I have one, if you install one be sure to plumb it into both pcv lines from the left bank and right bank on the engine
      I hope you mean to use 2 separate catch cans: one for each hose. Definitely don't want to run both hoses through one shared catch can, or else you'll have a vacuum (and boost) leak and won't be drawing fresh air through the crankcase.
    1. Bullfighter's Avatar
      Bullfighter -
      Quote Originally Posted by 2k13jk View Post
      I'd like to change to the smaller pulley but being afraid lifting the head or spinning a bearing or worse blowing a rod. As far as a catch can I have one, if you install one be sure to plumb it into both pcv lines from the left bank and right bank on the engine
      I really don't see the extra 3lbs of boost being too much of a future problem, if it does detonate the motor than an excuse to drop a 5.7 would almost be legit. Damn that's almost not funny. Anyway, the double catch can I think would be excessive and more hoses. I'm not happy now with the cob web around the motor. As for the plumbing in is pretty simple. I believe somewhere in these forums is what I used as a diagram. I should probably post a pick because I didn't put mine where most put their can. Mines in the front beside the alternator. If I wasn't ashamed of my hosing I probably would
    1. UselessPickles's Avatar
      UselessPickles -
      Quote Originally Posted by Bullfighter View Post
      if it does detonate the motor than an excuse to drop a 5.7 would almost be legit
      The 5.7 hemi isn't really worth the money for the conversion from the 3.6 Pentastar, especially if you're coming from a supercharged Pentastart. 5.7 Hemi only makes about 230 hp at the wheels in a Wrangler. Only about 40 hp more than the stock Pentastar, and substantially less than a supercharged Pentastar. That would be a $20k downgrade from a supercharged Pentastar. If you're going to do a V8 conversion, go for a 6.2 LS or 6.4 Hemi.

      Quote Originally Posted by Bullfighter View Post
      Anyway, the double catch can I think would be excessive and more hoses.
      I agree that a single catch can (on the make-up air hose! not the PCV hose!) is perfectly adequate, to reduce oil vapors going into the intake during high engine load/boost conditions.
    1. Bullfighter's Avatar
      Bullfighter -
      N
      Quote Originally Posted by UselessPickles View Post
      The 5.7 hemi isn't really worth the money for the conversion from the 3.6 Pentastar, especially if you're coming from a supercharged Pentastart. 5.7 Hemi only makes about 230 hp at the wheels in a Wrangler. Only about 40 hp more than the stock Pentastar, and substantially less than a supercharged Pentastar. That would be a $20k downgrade from a supercharged Pentastar. If you're going to do a V8 conversion, go for a 6.2 LS or 6.4 N

      I agree that a single catch can (on the make-up air hose! not the PCV hose!) is perfectly adequate, to reduce oil vapors going into the intake during high engine load/boost conditions.
      Haha no I'm in no hurry to put a smal block in. Financially or even want to tackle it. Let's just say if the 3lbs of boost makes it blow than the 2 door jeep is gone and a 4 door will show up in the garage.....which isn't cheaper but damn at this point stock and untouched would be less stressful.
    1. 2k13jk's Avatar
      2k13jk -
      Well that's the reason why I want to triple check before I up the boost. If the motor does let go I'm screwed out a vehicle being this jk is my daily
    1. Bullfighter's Avatar
      Bullfighter -
      Quote Originally Posted by 2k13jk View Post
      Well that's the reason why I want to triple check before I up the boost. If the motor does let go I'm screwed out a vehicle being this jk is my daily
      You already took the plunge with the blower. You'll be ok with the smaller pulley. But then again I am the guy who overtightens everything till it breaks so what do I know. Go for it. Thank me later
    1. doc5339's Avatar
      doc5339 -
      Stumbled onto this and it made very emotional. I wrote a "thank you" email to Magnuson Products, LLC:

      http://youtu.be/LPbJSSyeqSk
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