Best ND Miata Superchargers: Edelbrock & HKS (2016-18)

The 2016-2018 ND Mazda MX-5 Miata is a brilliant chassis chasing a modest engine. The naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.0L makes 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft at the crank — roughly 128 wheel-horsepower on the dyno — so the fastest, most reliable way to transform how an ND drives is a bolt-on supercharger. A quality kit takes the car from the high-120s at the wheels into the 200 whp range, adding low-end torque the little roadster has always deserved. In our Tampa shop the two names customers ask for by name are the Edelbrock E-Force and the HKS GT2, so we put both forced-induction paths side by side below.

Why Supercharge a 2016-2018 ND Miata?

A supercharger is the single biggest reliable power gain available for the ND1 Miata. Stock, the 2016-2018 Skyactiv-G 2.0L produces 155 hp and 148 lb-ft at the crank and pulls around 128 wheel-horsepower on a Dynojet. Bolt-ons like an intake, header, and tune are worth only a handful of horsepower on this engine because it is already efficient from the factory. Forced induction changes the math entirely: a street supercharger kit lifts the ND into the 195–230 whp band — a 55% to 80% increase — while keeping the factory-smooth idle and drivability that make the Miata such an easy daily driver.

Just as important for a lightweight car, the gains arrive as usable torque low in the rev range. The ND weighs roughly 2,350 lbs, so an extra 45–80 lb-ft transforms corner exits and highway passing without you needing to wring the engine to its 6,800 rpm redline. Both kits below retain the catalytic converter, keep the air conditioning, and run on premium pump gas, so the car stays streetable year-round.

Roots (TVS) vs. Centrifugal: Two Ways to Boost

There are two supercharger architectures for the ND, and the difference shapes the entire personality of the car. A positive-displacement (roots/TVS) blower, like the Eaton R900 in the Edelbrock E-Force, is belt-driven and sits on the intake manifold. It makes full boost almost off idle, so peak torque lands early and the power curve is flat — the car feels muscular everywhere. A centrifugal supercharger, like the HKS GT2, spins an impeller that builds boost with engine rpm. Boost climbs as the tach climbs, so the ND pulls hardest up top and delivers a turbo-like surge toward redline that many enthusiasts love.

Neither is objectively better — it is a driving-character choice. If you want instant response for canyon roads and autocross, the roots-style Edelbrock is the pick. If you chase peak numbers and enjoy chasing the redline, the centrifugal HKS rewards you. Both use an intercooler to keep intake air temperatures in check; the Edelbrock runs an air-to-water core with a front-mount heat exchanger, while the HKS uses an air-to-air intercooler.

The Best ND Miata Supercharger Kits (2016-2018)

We selected these kits on the criteria that matter for a street-driven ND: proven dyno numbers, intercooling, calibration support, emissions status, and how complete the box is when it arrives. All three fit the 2016-2018 Skyactiv-G 2.0L (ND1) in Sport, Club, Grand Touring, and RF trims. Here are our top picks, ranked.

1. Edelbrock E-Force Stage 1 (with Tune) — Best Overall

The Edelbrock E-Force is the most complete way to add boost to an ND Miata. It bolts an Eaton R900 TVS rotor assembly to the Skyactiv-G 2.0L and, on Edelbrock's own dyno, lifts the car to 198 wheel-horsepower and 182 lb-ft — about a 70 whp gain over the roughly 128 whp baseline, or 54% more power. Because it is a positive-displacement design, roughly 11 psi (0.76 bar) of boost is on tap early, so the torque curve is flat and the car pulls from just off idle. An integrated air-to-water intercooler with a front-mount heat exchanger keeps intake temps down for consistent power in Florida heat.

The "with tune" version (part EDE1554) is the one we recommend for most buyers: it ships as a turnkey package with the calibration included, so there is no separate tuning step to arrange. It also carries a CARB Executive Order, which makes it 50-state street legal — a genuine advantage if you live somewhere with emissions testing. Expect a full day of professional installation. Priced around $7,000, it is the premium option, and it earns it.

2. Edelbrock E-Force Stage 1 (without Tune) — Best for DIY Tuners

This is the exact same E-Force hardware — the R900 TVS blower, air-to-water intercooler, and all the ND-specific brackets and plumbing — supplied without the ECU calibration (part EDE15540). It targets the same 198 whp / 182 lb-ft as the tuned kit once a calibration is loaded. Buyers choose it when they already have a preferred tuner or a flashing solution and want to save the cost of the bundled tune. At around $6,600 it is a few hundred dollars less than the "with tune" package, but plan on sourcing your own tune before the car is drivable at full boost. For most first-time supercharger owners, the "with tune" version above is the safer, simpler route.

3. HKS GT2 S/C System Pro — Best for Top-End Power

The HKS GT2 takes the centrifugal route, spinning a high-efficiency GT-series impeller that builds boost with rpm for a top-end rush the roots kits do not replicate. On the ND1, HKS reports roughly 200 wheel-horsepower with the stock pulley and just a muffler, climbing to about 213 whp on the optional 80mm pulley, and into the 230 whp range once a high-flow header and midpipe are added. The "Pro" kit is the complete version, bundling the supporting fuel and hardware upgrades needed to run it properly. An air-to-air intercooler manages charge temps.

The trade-off is emissions: the HKS GT2 is not CARB-approved and cannot ship to California. It also, like the Edelbrock w/o-tune, needs tuning arranged as part of the install. At around $5,900 it is the most affordable path into the 200 whp club and the highest-ceiling kit here for owners chasing peak numbers — just be ready to add bolt-ons to reach the top of its range.

ND Miata Supercharger Comparison

All three kits fit the 2016-2018 ND1 Miata and put it into the 200 whp neighborhood. The right choice comes down to power delivery, emissions status, and whether you want a tune included. Here is how they stack up side by side.

Installation, Tuning, and Supporting Mods

Plan for a full day of professional installation on any of these kits. Each mounts the blower, routes intercooler plumbing, and taps the fuel and vacuum systems, so it is not a driveway job for most owners. The Edelbrock "with tune" kit is the closest to plug-and-play because the calibration ships in the box; the Edelbrock "w/o tune" and the HKS both require you to arrange a dyno tune before running full boost.

Before adding boost, make sure the basics are healthy: fresh spark plugs (a step colder is common on boosted ND builds), a quality 91–93 octane fuel diet, and an upgraded clutch if you plan to push the upper end of the HKS range. Cooling and braking upgrades are smart follow-ups once the car is making 60–100 more horsepower than Mazda intended. Our Tampa team can advise on the right supporting parts for your specific ND and driving style.