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Well here it is, finally, (phew) the page dedicated to my
latest foray into more power MORE POWER *huh* *ugh* POWER *mff* *ugh* (apologies
to Tim Allen)
93 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L
So there I was, thinking to myself, what should I do to make this thing go
faster? Well after checking around for mods I finally settled on the
supercharger from HESCO. The following is
my whack at a page devoted to this "educational process" I did up some
instructions and also have them
in MS Word format
Well, let's start with the kit. (note, clicking on an image
will expand it) The kit came in one big honking box that I'm sure the UPS guy
was o-so-delighted to haul up to the house :) Me, I had to break it open and
move the stuff separately.
The kit contained many pieces. Without going
into each one here are some photos.
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This is the supercharger itself, with the
bracket already mounted and the adapter plate still on. The little tag is
attached to some silicone goo you have to remove before running the unit. |
Here is what the engine originally looked like. Take a long
hard look as it will never look like this again.
  
Well, don't look too long or too hard, radiation and all that, eh?
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<-- This is the MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor
that has to be relocated to the firewall since the back of the supercharger
wants to go here. See the little brake line in the back... That's where it
will be zip tied like this. -->
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I had to install the Boost Amp back he spare
tire becuase of stereo gear under the back seat |
That being done I had to find a spot for the BoostAPump
control head. I chose a spot under the dash within reach but out of the way of
my knees and accidental tweaking. Once this thing is set you should not tweak
it. It controls the fuel pressure under boost and you want exactly 70 PSI on
the rail. I'm looking forward to VDO making an electric sending fuel pressure
gauge.
| You might ask where did I run the wires. Well I used the
rubber bushing to the right of where the accelerator cable goes through.
You'll also see alarm wiring going through here. You'll also see the shock
sensor for the Clifford alarm (it's the thing attached to the steering
shaft) |
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Now to the engine compartment. First I took off
the throttle body. Next came the task of removing the power steering pump and
replacing the bottle with the one provided in the kit. It wasn't hard but
having the service manual is a good thing. You will have to cut the return hose
but do so sparingly as you need some play in the pump. When you put it back on
it will be full to the left. I mean dead against the left as far as the bolts
will let it go. This is what the pump looks like stock..
Following the
instructions I put the supercharger in place (note, these are my throw and
you should follow the ones that come with the kit and use these as reference
only)
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At first I had a problem with the belt (darn thing was
too short). I found out later this was because they didn't give me a new
idler to replace the one by the A/C compressor. I let them know and got it
next day express. They made it right and that's what counts. |
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Having that fixed I now turned my attention to the
problem with the pressure regulator. The way it was made it just didn't
want to fit and was at a weird angle. |
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I solved this by cutting the tube back and re-flareing
it. The final install wound up looking quite well. I also had to fabricate
a small bracket to hold the regulator to the superchargers shaft. The clamp
you see to the right just would not hold it steady enough for my liking and
put too much pressure on the fuel return line. The small bracket is made
out of some aluminum stock with a 90 degree twist and fits over the bolts
that hold the regulator together. |
| You can see the final fit of the regulator and the
original PCV hose zip tied to it. Well, I need to replace it with some
flexible hose cause it just won't stay put and is starting to crack. It's
that darn inflexible plastic plumbing. Even engine heat hasn't softened it
any but that's no big problem. |
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Next came the problem with the hose running to the air
box. It just didn't look like it was going to fit but it did. I had to
change the instructions a bit. They say to use a 1" spacer behind the back
bolt but that made the air box hit the hood and the hood would not close. I
cut 1/4 of an inch off it and used that 1/4 under the left bolt and VIOLA
the thing fit like a champ. |
| Well, sorta. The pressure hose from the power steering
pump still chafes the side of the air box. I think I'm going to use a heat
gun to move the plastic a bit and if that does not work I will have a local
shop fabricate a new pressure side hose for the ZJ. |
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| Next came the attachment of the new throttle linkage and
bracket. The instructions say remove the center bolt and the one in front
of it. Well.. there are eight bolts so which one? Turns out it's bolts
three and four if you count from the front of the engine back. The only
problem is after the supercharger was it the distance between the new
bracket and the throttle body was a little tight. It left the throttle
cracked by a few tenths. To solve this I had to bend the aluminum struts a
bit. I could have wallowed out the mounting holes but that would have
allowed too much slippage and I could bend the supports just right. Your
milage may vary. In retrospect I probably should have milled the holes but
heck.. it worked. |
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Well here is what you all have been reading toward. The
actual installed and running supercharger.
Darn.. all that work and this is _all_ I get. That and the
satisfaction of wiping the smug grins off the local low riders and V8 Grand
Cherokee drivers. The only thing that would be more awesome is if this was
shoved in a TJ OHMAGOSH!!
Well.. That's it folks..
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