[Chipewa]

I just finished installing a Sprintex supercharger with Hypertech programmer in my 2007 JKU. For the benefit of others who will be installing this upgrade, here are my experiences and suggestions, over and above the installation instructions, that will help with a smoother install. Unless you've done several of these installs before give yourself 2 days to complete the work, not the 4-6 hours stated in the instructions.

Big thanks go to Tight wad who had installed this unit before me and gave me a lot of good suggestions.

Here's a pic of the SC unit in the box:

NOTE: Updated 6/10/2013.
Although not written anywhere in the installation instructions, I'm going to tell you that a transmission cooler for JKs with automatic transmission IS REQUIRED. I overheated and fried my transmission in less than 200 miles. After replacing my entire transmission I added Aeroforce Interceptor gauges and found that my transmission temperature was right around 200f in city driving averaging 40-45mph. Way too high! I added a PSC transmission cooler and transmission temperatures dropped approximately 60 degrees. The same test drive that had my temps at 200f produced a trans temp of 140f with a transmission cooler.

Suggestion - You will need to run high octane (min 91 octane) fuel with this unit, so make sure you have premium gasoline in your tank before you install the unit.

I highly recommend that you buy new breather hoses. You will need to modify them for the install and having new hoses will make things MUCH easier and head off performance problems that I had. I wound up replacing mine after the install with new ones.

Your plastic conduit that surrounds wiring around the top of the engine may be in bad shape and disintegrating. Buy some of this from your local auto parts store and replace it as you find it. I bought several feet of the 2 smallest sizes and still have plenty left.

This is also a good time to replace your PCV valve, since you will have easy access to it. Removing the old PCV valve can be difficult and I destroyed mine getting it out. Replace it, don't plan on inspecting and re-installing the old one.

Buy a new EGR tube gasket. This is the gasket that mates the EGR tube coming off the SC to the EGR valve. Mine fell apart when I removed the stock EGR tube. Do not attempt to use RTV here in place of a new gasket as it will leak.

The installation instructions will mention several tools that you will need. I already have a massive selection of tools, but here are a couple that you may not have that I'll mention here to make the job easier:

Fuel line disconnect tool:

1/4 inch drive universal joint:

Long handled 5mm hex wrench. There is a bolt under the SC that is a PITA to install. I screwed mine down with a hex wrench. If I ever have to do it again I will make my own ratcheting 5mm wrench from a small flex head ratcheting wrench with a 5mm hex bit welded into the ratcheting end. It took me an hour to screw this one bolt in. You will also not be able to torque it to recommended specs because there is no way to get a torque wrench on it.

Read and re-read all of the instructions until your are familiar with the tear down and installation before you begin work.

If you have a tuner (I had Superchips Premium tune installed) currently installed you need to set your vehicle back to STOCK at this point.

The tear down goes relatively smoothly. I recommend labeling all parts removed/unplugged.

Here are a few tear down pics:

 

[Chipewa]

Spintex Supercharger install continued

The installation instructions state that you can optionally remove the battery side inner fender liner to make installation easier. DO IT. I can't imagine doing the install without removal. Get used to removing the inner fender liner on the battery side. This is the only way (and very easy way) that you will gain access to the spark plugs on this side of the engine after the SC is installed.

Remove your alternator and sit it out of the way. I can't imagine how they think you're going to get the valve cover off without doing this.

Although not stated in the installation instructions, it is a good idea to replace your spark plugs with STOCK spec plugs at this time.

You will need to seperate the throttle body plug from the fuel injector wiring harness. Take your time with this and make sure that you get at least the recommended length.

Test fit the SC to your intake with a helper. Go slow and don't slide it around, you can damage the intake O-rings if not careful. You may find that you have problems getting the SC to lay flat because wiring under it sits too high. Remove the SC unit and slowly and carefully work with the wiring to reposition until you get clearance needed.

I had problems fitting my stock throttle body to the SC intake and had to file the bottom of the TB so it would mate up with the SC. If you need to do this I recommend applying a thin film of silicone grease to the TB mating surface and pressing it up to the SC intake by hand, then check to insure that the O-ring is making complete contact before installing.

The installation instructions omit when to use the Blue med strength thread locker. I used it on all valve cover and SC to intake bolts.

The installation instructions omit installation of the new MAP sensor that is included with the unit. Install it carefully after you have the SC bolted onto the intake. Apply a thin layer of silicone grease to the O ring and gently install into the SC unit. I had MAJOR issues after my install with performance and found that the extremely delicate O ring had torn when I installed it.

After you've finished installing everything check to insure that there aren't any hoses or wires contacting the exhaust manifold heat shields. If you find any reposition them.

The SC unit comes with the oil in it. I checked mine just to make sure it had the proper amount of oil in it. Better safe than sorry.

Before you install the Supercharger tune with the Hypertech unit you should make sure that you have the latest firmware installed by updating it via the web. Go to the web URL listed in your installation instructions.

Many people seem to get confused installing the tuning with the Hypertech unit. After you have selected the Supercharger tuning you must step through the menu and select INSTALL TUNING to get the changes updated.

Test drive your vehicle and take it easy. During the first 3 key cycles your PCM is re-learning. I'm giving mine a few days before I do any fine tuning.

My Jeep feels like a totally different vehicle now. The only issue that I need to work out is a small lag in the throttle from a stop to about 10 mph. There are throttle sensitivity adjustments via the Hypertech unit that can be adjusted to deal with this. I'm going to give my Jeep a few days before playing around with these settings. Both Sprintex and Hypertech support are excellent and eager to help me out with fine tuning. I have had several calls from each asking me how it's going. IMO support is top notch.

All installed!

Video of first start up running (with torn MAP sensor O ring):
Sprintex super charger Jeep JK - YouTube

 

[Apt]

nice writeup Carl.
post the video of it running!

 

[Chipewa]

nice writeup Carl.
post the video of it running!

Done

 

[Chipewa]

The basic specs on my 2007 JKU are:

4.5 AEV lift.
ARB lockers F & R
Auto with 4.88 gears.
37in BFG KM2s

DynoMax exhaust upgrade planned soon.

 

[cj454]

Now price vs installation and power after you get the feel for this would you consider the ripped if you were to do it again.

I am looking into a sc soon reason for asking

 

[Chipewa]

Now price vs installation and power after you get the feel for this would you consider the ripped if you were to do it again.

I am looking into a sc soon reason for asking

I considered the RIPP unit before I selected the Sprintex. The Sprintex was on sale for $2999 and I wasn't going to pass it up.

The Sprintex installation seems much more invasive that the RIPP, but I'll be able to judge that better after I help my buddy install his RIPP unit this weekend.

As far as performance goes, I'll need to drive both kinds to judge that. I can tell you that the Sprintex power increase is very noticible right off idle.

 

[Acey]

First of all, I have no experience with the Sprintex Supercharger. So, I'm not getting into the performance differences of Sprintex vs RIPP.

I installed a RIPP SC with the intercooler on mine over a year ago. Looking at the installation of the Sprintex, very good write-up btw, the Sprintex IS more invasive than the RIPP SC.

The RIPP SC only requires you to remove the intake plenum to intall new fuel injectors and remove the air filter box. No alternator or valve cover removal.

 

[cj454]

I considered the RIPP unit before I selected the Sprintex. The Sprintex was on sale for $2999 and I wasn't going to pass it up.

The Sprintex installation seems much more invasive that the RIPP, but I'll be able to judge that better after I help my buddy install his RIPP unit this weekend.

As far as performance goes, I'll need to drive both kinds to judge that. I can tell you that the Sprintex power increase is very noticible right off idle.

Thxs for reply can't wait to see more feedback where did u get it for that price if u don't mind me asking

 

[Apt]

...where did u get it for that price if u don't mind me asking

There was a thread on here offering it. Not that long ago actually.

here it is.
http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87617&highlight=sprintex+2995

 

[Chipewa]

Yep, that was the link that clued me in on the sale.

I called Sprintex USA and they connected me with the following dealer for the sale:


Michael Lawrence
SuperchargersofOKC

13613 Eskridge Drive
Oklahoma City OK. 73114
405-229-02321Z
[email protected]

 

[cj454]

Awesome thxs

 

[Tight_wad]

Good write-up. Glad I was able to provide some help.

I think that its easy to say that the Ripp is the simpler design to put on. Simpler doesn't mean its better. And vice versa.


Sent banging two irocks together!

 

[Apt]

Good write-up. Glad I was able to provide some help.

I think that its easy to say that the Ripp is the simpler design to put on. Simpler doesn't mean its better. And vis versa.


Sent banging two irocks together!

I guess we'll see about that eh Scott? LOL

 

[Chipewa]

The RIPP Gen2 Stage 1 hardware install is much easier than the Sprintex. It took 2 of us 5-6 hours to install all the hardware components. Installing the tuning was the problem - http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88332

 

[ASSFROW]

It looks like the charger sits right over top of the oil fill cap. Can you get to it to put oil in?

 

[Chipewa]

It looks like the charger sits right over top of the oil fill cap. Can you get to it to put oil in?

Yes.
The valve covers swap sides so that the oil fill is now on the rear of the engine on the driver side.

 

[ASSFROW]

Yes.
The valve covers swap sides so that the oil fill is now on the rear of the engine on the driver side.

Thanks. Didn't make sense that they would leave out a detail like that.

 

[Chipewa]

Update:

After driving for a few days I have the time today to tune out the throttle lag. I've found that from 0-5mph there is a dead spot in the throttle that I can't tune out.

I'm currently working with Hypertech to resolve the issue. The tech had me set my PCM back to stock and then attempt to re-install the supercharger tune. Re-application of the SC tune appears to be causing problems. I took my JK out for a short spin around the block set back to stock and was shocked that the throttle problem was gone and power felt like my old 2000 Z28 Camaro. The tech assured me that when we get the SC tune installed properly the performance will be even better. I'm waiting for a call from Hypertech so I can download/upload my tuner info and get this show back on the road.

Stay tuned.....

 

[Chipewa]

Update:

I heard from Hypertech today and was told that with their tuning removed from the Jeep I should be getting no errors/codes, and therefore there must be a problem with the supercharger unit or install. I get 2 codes when set to stock, indicating Barometeric pressure out of range/too low and torque out of range. They recommended I speak with Sprintex.

Talked to the Sprintex tech who indicated that the error codes I was getting with the vehicle set to stock were to be expected since the MAP sensor is designed to work only with the SC and there is a lot more torque being output. I was told to re-install the Hypertech tune, which I did. The annoying dead spot/lag in the throttle from 0-5mph is back. The tech told be he believes that the Hypertech tune is being installed properly without errors and the lag is due to a PCM safeguard, I guess to prevent sudden acceleration. The tech also told me that the Diablo tuner is much more flexible and can override/tune-out these safeguards.

I have found a thread on another Jeep forum where many people have complained of the exact same lag I am experiencing. I want to give the Hypertech guys a fair shot at fixing the problem, but will be trying the Diablo unit if this is "as good as it gets" with the Hypertech unit.