Jackson Racing Releases New Supercharger System for Honda CR-Z

The bolt-on blower may effectively address the primary complaint lodged against the frugal two-seater, its lack of sporty grunt.

According to the California-based tuner, who pulled numbers off a dyno, the supercharger (providing eight psi of boost) effectively bumps combined output of the 1.5-liter gasoline-fed four-cylinder and brushless DC electric assist motor from 138 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque to 190 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque. The stock Honda CR-Z is classified as an Advanced Technology-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV). To retain the rating, Jackson Racing has reportedly spent the past eight months refining emissions to obtain the necessary exemptions from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) – certification is pending.

As of now, the supercharger system has only been engineered for the manual gearbox (a clutch upgrade is recommended for those who drive aggressively), but the tuner is evaluating the demand for the automatic transmission. There are three different kits, all providing the same horsepower, with the most basic system starting at $3,995.