5 Common RIPP Supercharger Problems With Fixes
If you crave more speed and power in your Jeep, a RIPP supercharger will give you just that. This kit also adds more torque to Jeep’s tires. And unlike a turbocharger, it gives you superior power at higher and lower RPMs. However, installing this kit on your vehicle may result in several problems.
So then, what are the common RIPP supercharger problems? Besides transmission issues, other problems include power surges and tune incompatibility. In addition, the kit may void your vehicle’s warranty and cause air filter problems.
But what are the possible solutions available for these problems? Check out our detailed guide to find out this and much more.
What Is a RIPP Supercharger and How Does It Work?
A RIPP supercharger is an air compressor kit that you bolt onto the engine and is driven by the crankshaft. The kit sends vast amounts of air into the engine for increased power output and torque.
Typically, this supercharger uses Vortech centrifugal technology to deliver power gains. However, it is only built to bolt on to Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler engines. The kit costs as low as $4,324.99 for older Jeep models, and installation takes about 6 to 8 hours.
Overview of Common Issues With the RIPP Supercharger
Below is an overview of the problems you may face after installing a RIPP supercharger in your vehicle.
| NO. | Common Problems | Possible Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transmission Issues | Upgrade or rebuild the transmission. |
| 2 | Air Filter Problems | Drain and refill the oil to the correct levels. |
| 3 | Power Surges | Reset the ECU. Adjust the methanol mix. Replace the MAP sensor. |
| 4 | Tune Incompatibility | Get a custom tune for the RIPP supercharger. |
| 5 | Voids Warranty | Find an authorized RIPP dealer. Wait for the warranty period to lapse. |
What Are The Common RIPP Supercharger Problems?
While the RIPP supercharger may offer higher power output, it is susceptible to several problems. These include the following:
1. Transmission Issues
After adding the RIPP supercharger to your Jeep Wrangler, you may experience issues with the third and fourth gears. These gears may go out after 6 to 7 miles, even after replacing the transmission. This issue occurs because the 3rd and 4th gears don’t get as much boost as the 1st and 2nd gears.
Solution
The solution here is to upgrade your Jeep’s transmission. This upgrade may include installing a new valve body, torque converter, and pump.
However, rebuilding the transmission yourself is not recommended because you may damage it beyond repair. So, it would help to let a professional mechanic do the job for you.
2. Air Filter Issues
With the RIPP supercharger, you may experience large amounts of blow going into the air filter. This causes oil to sip into the air filter, and everything beyond the filter becomes coated in oil.
Unfortunately, this issue does not go away even after cleaning the air filter several times. That said, in most cases, this problem may occur due to over-oiling your Jeep.
Solution
You need to drain all the oil and refill to the correct levels. Here is how to do it:
- Step 1: Remove the drain plug on the supercharger’s snout.
- Step 2: Drain all the oil.
- Step 3: Refill using new oil up to the correct levels.
- Step 4: Install a new air filter.
3. Power Surges
While the rip supercharger offers more power, it experiences uneven acceleration sometimes. For example, when at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle in any gear, your Jeep may cut out at 3,250 RPM and then pick back up again. This occurs for only a split second.
In other words, your Jeep may feel too lean or like it is running out of gas. This may occur due to a defective map sensor or a poor methanol mix.
Solution 1: Reset the ECU
Resetting the engine control module (ECU) will ensure your Jeep returns to its factory settings. This could help fix the power surge issues. To do so;
- Unplug the negative battery cable to rest the ECU and let it stay like that for 3 to 10 minutes.
- Then, plug back the cable.
Solution 2: Adjust the Methanol Mix
If you are using the Prestone De-Icer Windshield washer fluid, adjusting the methanol injection mix may fix the problem.
The recommended water-to-methanol ratio is 50/50. However, you can adjust it to a 70/30 water-to-methanol ratio for excellent octane gains and increased horsepower.
Solution 3: Replace the MAP Sensor
A lousy MAP or Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor can cause issues like the engine running lean. So, here is how to replace it:
- Step 1: Open your Jeep’s hood and locate the MAP sensor near the engine’s intake manifold. It is on the firewall near the top.
- Step 2: Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Step 3: Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the intake manifold.
- Step 4: Disconnect the electrical and vacuum line on the MAP sensor.
- Step 5: Unscrew the bolts holding the sensor in place.
- Step 6: Remove the MAP sensor and install a new stock MAP sensor.
- Step 7: Reconnect the electrical and vacuum line to the sensor and the negative battery cable.
4. Tune Incompatibility
Most vehicles, including the 2007-2016 Jeep Wranglers, have preinstalled calibrations. Therefore, you can install the kit right out of the box. However, some vehicles need further dyno tuning.
This is because the Diablosport tuner these rip supercharger kits come with only works without any issues in some Jeep models. In other words, the RIPP supercharger manufacturers don’t offer a customized tune with their kits for every Jeep model available.
Solution
The best solution is to get a custom tune for your RIPP supercharger. This is because the tunes that come with the kits are usually generic. You only need to forward your stock tune to RIPP, including your data logs, and they will send you the custom tune.
5. Voids Warranty
Unfortunately, installing the RIPP supercharger may void your warranty. Technically, it only voids the warranty if it damages any part that needs to be fixed under warranty.
However, this may vary from one dealer to another. This is because many dealers are already installers of this supercharger kit. The good news is that this problem does not affect older Jeep models whose warranty period has expired.
Solution
First, get an authorized RIPP dealer. Then, confirm with your dealer whether or not installing the kit will void your Jeep’s warranty.
Alternatively, you could wait for your vehicle’s warranty to lapse and install the supercharger.
Conclusion
Installing the RIPP supercharger on your Jeep offers several benefits. Besides increasing your vehicle’s power output, it also ensures quicker acceleration, better fuel efficiency, and increased torque. On the flip side, though, there are a couple of issues that come with installing this kit in your Jeep.
For example, some customers have reported shifting problems in high gears and others infrequent power surges. Other issues you may encounter when using this kit are air filter problems, tune incompatibility, and warranty voiding. But don’t worry because all these problems are easily fixable.
