Think I need FI

[b11ocx]

So after a great day at Oulton, I need a new water pump, a new clutch and I seem to have developed a Head Gasket oil leak. Makes me think that it is easier to lift the engine and that means I could do a bit of winter upgrade work.

Probably discussed to death, but my primary concern with FI is maintaining the reliability that I love about the MX5. I already have megasquirt and lambda, so would obviously prefer not to re-invest in that area. Thoughts on a postcard.........

[VladD]

The MX5 engine was from a 323 turbo, so should be fine for FI.

[Oldandslow]

Which Mark and engine? Preference for Turbo or supercharged?

[b11ocx]

It's a Mk1 Eunos 1.6

No real preference on either side, just want a bit more power but without losing lots of reliability. Suspension, brakes, ECU, tyres, intake and exhaust already updated, but just want to avoid the lack of grunt on the straights on a track day. My choices seem to be FI or a major weight saving, including the driver !

[snotrag]

You've already done the difficult bits to be honest, especially if your faimialr with tuning your ECU.


Get a sump drain drilled and fitted to the sump, then your basically a manifold/turbo/downpipe and intercooler away.

[Actus Reus]

You'll probably want to upgrade the cooling if you haven't already.

Looked at this myself and the main problem was that it's probably cheaper to just buy an FI car - downside is that you can't speak for the quality of the upgrade as easily. Loads of kits available, but I was looking at Flyin' Miata (expensive, but seemingly very good) and G19 (who are UK based).

In the end I'm probably gonna buy an Elise instead, though.

[drgoatboy]

Be aware that fi changes the character though. I just went from a 1.6 eunos to an original bbr turbo and they are very different to drive. Admittedly turbo and ecu technology has moved on since 1991 but you loose some amount of the free Reving sweetness, and get that slug if turbo somewhere in the rev range.
The extra power is most welcome but I do miss my unfettled car

[binnerboy]

There are turnkey turbo conversions such as this

http://mtechautomotive.co.uk/mx5-turbo-conversion/

all you need is a TD04 turbo and £2k

Lotus elise is £7k, VX220 is £6k

as you have bits already talk to them they may do you a deal, or get the kit fitted and sell the ECU and Lambda sensor you could get some of your money back if they won't drop the price.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Mine has been supercharged since 2004, done 80k miles charged with 220-245bhp, countless track days and strip runs as well as a lot of road thrashing.
The bearings on the charger (MP62) have finally failed. The engine is still as sweet as a nut and sounds/feels as tight as it did all those years ago when I first modified it.
As long as you get the tuning right they are bullet proof.

[fatjon]

Avoid the nasty cheap turbo exhaust manifolds on ebay. Tried one and it lasted less than an hour. BEGI in the USA do one that is cast which I have used for some years without problems. Also forget the original coil packs and go coil on plug. I used some Toyota units which cost peanuts and cured my problems with spark blowout above 14PSI. Megasquirt is nice, worked a treat on mine but I had a lot of trouble getting the engine to run cleanly with 440cc injectors ended up going for an 8 injector setup with some little ones for low load and bigger ones for higher load, that meant using a megasquirt 3 which was a bit pricey. Depends how far you are going really. Not a problem for lower boost applications with, say, 350cc injectors.

[J-Tuner]

Supercharged 1.8 here. Its intoxicating

[skinny]

My BBR turbo is on 189k miles. It's now running over 200bhp. Engine has not been touched.

[mondayo]

If you don't want to go forced induction, Blink Motorsport do some upgrades that are supposed to give a decent power boost. It's not cheap mind....