How do I know that I need to rebuild my supercharger?
- Supercharger is leaking/consuming oil internally or externally.
- Oil has been found inside the rotor pack or compressor wheel side of the supercharger. JB Performance uses tinted blue oil on most of our internal rebuilds to help determine a failure as an engine with issues can express engine oil into supercharger as well. This helps to make diagnosing easier. If you find oil inside the main case of your supercharger, put a little dab of oil on white paper and try to match it up to the supercharger oil or the engine oil. It will help you determine if the supercharger or the engine is creating the problem.
- Noise at or inside the compressor. Removal of the drive belt and start the car briefly. If the noise is gone, check all the items that the belt will rotate to determine the cause. Idlers can and do contribute to noise issues as well as other accessories shared by the same belt. A good mechanic sound scope can help you narrow down where a noise may be the most prominent.
- Recommended service life span: 80,000 miles/128,000km or about 400 hours. Abuse/racing/excess heat/engine failure/detonation/excess belt tension can shorten the lifespan.
- Peace of mind. No one can determine your comfort level. We do recommend that if none of 1-3 has happened, and you have 80,000 miles or 400 hours, to have the supercharger rebuilt. Waiting for 1-3 to happen can create wear and or damage to areas that parts may not be available for. Keep this in mind if your supercharger is older. Many times, replacements are no longer available after 8 to 10 years.
How does JB Performance determine rebuild costs?
Rebuild costs are based off of the following:
- Labor cost. Presently we charge a flat labor rate fee for each type or brand. These costs are published in each brand’s section for a rough estimate of a consumable rebuild cost.
- Consumable parts cost. Consumable parts are bearings, seals, oil, couplers, orings, gaskets.
- Hard parts that are damaged or worn (not normally required in a rebuild). Hard parts, when treated properly, can last you many rebuilds. Hard parts can be damaged by many causes. This will be covered in another support topic later and can also be found in the Warranty section.
- There are additional fees for rotor repair, case repair, heli-coil, welding, intercooler cleaning-testing, rebuilding bypass, jackshafts, multipiece manifolds all based on time. Our labor rate is $110 per hour. Each of these services added individually will add at least 1/2 hour of labor.
What if my supercharger can’t be repaired?
We will always provide the following, in the following order.
- Estimate for repair, if possible.
- If the repair is within 60% or so, and a replacement is available, we will also generate a 2nd estimate for replacement. A trade in of the good parts left in your supercharger will be offered on the same estimate to reduce the replacement price. The customer does not need to accept this portion of the estimate. All damaged parts are returned.
- If no replacement option is available, a purchase price will be offered for all the good parts. All damaged parts can still be returned.
- Allow a 90 day window for supercharger to wait, for a decision to be made.
- Return ship the supercharger at customer’s expense.
How long does it take?
Rebuild times can vary on the type of the supercharger. We have made a list below of expected days to add FROM your appointment date. Keep in mind our shop works 4- 10 hour days per week.
- URGENT- any supercharger- 1 to 3 business days.
- Centrifugal Supercharge.r Examples: Vortech, Paxton, Powerdyne, ProCharger- 1 to 5 business days.
- Twin Screw Supercharger. Examples: Whipple, Kenne Bell, Sprintex, Lysholm- 3 to 8 business days.
- IHI Twin Screw Superchargers. Examples are Dodge Hellcat, Mercury Verado Superchargers- 3 to 12 business days.
- Drive snout rebuild, bypass assembly rebuild, intercooler flush, jackshaft only rebuild: 1 to 3 business days.
- Powdercoating or porting: Please add 3 to 12 business days to a rebuild. This service cannot be added to an URGENT repair.
How do I know that the parts I am billed for, are replaced?
All old parts are returned with a rebuild. We do not return the used oil. If you would like us to metal recycle your old parts, instead of returning them, just ask. All used oil is recycled.
What carrier should I use to ship my supercharger? Should I add insurance and a signature to my package when shipping?
We receive mail here from all the 3 major carriers and some small carriers. This is for you to decide what the risk is. We recommend a signature on delivery and we recommend UPS. We know they are more expensive, but they have been consistently reliable. Many times, carriers such as USPS are too lazy to bring it inside and just toss it outside the door, streetside. Fed Ex has done this as well. On more than one occasion, they did this on a weekend when no one was here. The packages could have easily been stolen. If you require a signature, they have to walk inside to get a signature.
I want to use a tracking device such as an Air Tag. How do I make sure I get it back?
Recommended method: Place your air tag or similar device in a zip lock bag with your paperwork. Tape this inside the top cover of your box or pallet. We will keep your air tag with your paperwork and do the same on return. This way if you get a new box, the tag will go with it!
I want to send a pallet. Is this an issue?
No. JB Performance has a forklift and does not charge to handle a pallet. We can also pallet ship return using Old Dominion. They do not deliver to residential addresses, so keep that in mind.
I want to powdercoat my supercharger and or other parts when it is in for a rebuild. How do I choose a color?
We use www.prismaticpowders.com or www.cerakote.com When choosing a color, consider UV rating, gloss ratings, impact resistant rating. Not all powders are the same. If you are looking at durability, Cerakote oven cure series is the most durable to chips and scratches.