Upgrade

[nakedninja]

So, the car I borrowed a few weeks back is for sale to me at 'friends' rates. (mk2 1.6)
Frankly, its a great deal and I'm going to buy it, its miles better than the yaris I'm currently pootling around in.
It'll be mine in the summer when the current owner goes away, so now I'm doing some research. My plan is to do a Ride/Drive qualification - add a little skill before anything else - and then supercharge the blighter!
I'm going to get the alignment done first off and fit some better tyres as its currently a bit flighty and I can't wait to have the feel of how its meant to be, not how it currently is.
So, let the questions commence:
Engine

• Buying a supercharger - where, how much etc.?
• Is it even worth buying secondhand superchargers, I'd kind of like it just to work!
• I reckon its probably the weedy 88bhp engine, so what kind of gains can I expect for modest outlay?
• Fitting, which is beyond me, is a specialist garage needed, or just a good one? What price should I expect?
• As ollie said below, all the engine gubbins, what is needed?

Other stuff

• Should I bother with strut braces, etc.? Are there notable differences?
• What size wheels are best? Its currently on some dodgy 15 inch alloys, they'll be going, but its what to replace them with.

Thanks in advance for your patience and knowledge, I know its a lot of questions, but I figure if I get them all sorted soon, I can let the fun begin!

Edited by nakedninja on Thursday 19th March 13:54

[OllieWinchester]

Alignment = good move

If its a Mk2 then I don't think it will be the 88bhp version as I don;t think it was offered, has the car got pop up lights?

Supercharging one is a little bit more involved than just buying a 'charger and bolting it on. I'd wait for someone more knowlegdable to come along though on that, but I'm sure you need brackets, pulleys, intercooler, new exhaust etc

Lazza!

[hornetrider]

If you are concerned by cost and want FI then I would buy a car already converted. The Mk2 1.6 is not the best base car.

[nakedninja]

I know its probably not the best car to use, but I'm going to buy it so I fancy upgrading it. I feel like its time for a project, and supercharging this feels like the right idea.
Just don't tell the girlfriend!

[DanGT]

You could see if you could get the set of parts from a BBR turbo MX5. Second hand is ok if you know what you are looking at. You would have to find some one how know what they were doing to fit it. 150bhp is the end result. The cost is going to be at least £2000 and if you get one of the new kits fitted you are looking at a lot more.

[paul99]

The MK2 1.6 has 110bhp as standard, If your on a tight budget you can fit the M45 Jackson Supercharger kit (MK2 1.8 Version) with minor modifcations required. That would get you an extra 30-40hp out the box but you will still be looking at a 2k+ bill for that unless you got a kit 2nd hand.

Like others have mentioned you would be best off with the 1.8 car, 140bhp standard (MK2). I wouldn't put much money into a 1.6 MK2, its probably the worst spec one to go for regarding modding (along with 88bhp MK1 1.6).