Mk2 MX5 1.8 needs more power
Discussion
KH said:
Any of you guys turbo or supercharged a 1.8 MX5?
I find the Mk2 1.8 lacking in power compared to many hot hatches.
If that's not the way to go, any other ideas?
many thanks.
buy thisI find the Mk2 1.8 lacking in power compared to many hot hatches.
If that's not the way to go, any other ideas?
many thanks.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2765594.htm
KH said:
Any of you guys turbo or supercharged a 1.8 MX5?
I find the Mk2 1.8 lacking in power compared to many hot hatches.
If that's not the way to go, any other ideas?
many thanks.
FI for more power. BUT I don't find many hot hatches being faster. Are yu revving the tits off it (the good way to drive it) or are you coming from a turbo diesel and changing up below 6000 rpm (the way a lot of people drive them when they say they are slow)?I find the Mk2 1.8 lacking in power compared to many hot hatches.
If that's not the way to go, any other ideas?
many thanks.
they just aren't typically driven quickly. my bbr will struggle in a straight line against luke-warm diesels if the driver actually puts their foot down.KH said:
Thanks chaps,
Munter may have hit this on the head. I'm changing gear under 6000rpm as the engine sounds like it'll pop after that. It's okay to give these cars a lot of revs then? Sounds a bit boy-racerish but maybe I should change my driving style and save a few bob!
Ofcourse it will be fine, that is the whole point!Munter may have hit this on the head. I'm changing gear under 6000rpm as the engine sounds like it'll pop after that. It's okay to give these cars a lot of revs then? Sounds a bit boy-racerish but maybe I should change my driving style and save a few bob!
I agree with most of what others have said. For a start you need to really exercise these engines to get the most out of them as what power they have is from around 6k to the red line. Unless you are in that area you are probably wasting 20bhp or more. The engine is based on the old 323 Turbo engine and still retains a lot of the turbo niceties such as oil-spray cooling for the pistons so is over-engineered for the amount of power it has in the MX5 so you really don't need to worry about ragging it. Mine has an extra 100bhp and I still rag it to death on track and the car just loves it 
I also agree with Skinny though that whatever you do they still aren't fast cars. They certainly aren't slow and they can give the impression of being quite nippy but in a drag race with a Golf 1.8 TDI for example they will struggle. Drag races aren't what they are about though - if you want a traffic-light monster you have bought the wrong car, these cars are all about b-roads and stringing the bends together. They don't really have massive grip either though so a determined driver in that diesel Golf wouldn't be far behind you. You'd be having a lot more fun though and it's all a lot easier in the MX5 thanks to the feedback & lovely neutral rear-drive balance.
Seeing as I have a supercharged 243bhp Mk2.5 I agree with MXT too. If you really do want more power then FI is the way to go. Whether you choose SC or TC is a matter of choice but both are available in both relatively cheap basic and expensive more capable forms. With the right kit you can see 250bhp or more either way.
I also agree with Skinny though that whatever you do they still aren't fast cars. They certainly aren't slow and they can give the impression of being quite nippy but in a drag race with a Golf 1.8 TDI for example they will struggle. Drag races aren't what they are about though - if you want a traffic-light monster you have bought the wrong car, these cars are all about b-roads and stringing the bends together. They don't really have massive grip either though so a determined driver in that diesel Golf wouldn't be far behind you. You'd be having a lot more fun though and it's all a lot easier in the MX5 thanks to the feedback & lovely neutral rear-drive balance.
Seeing as I have a supercharged 243bhp Mk2.5 I agree with MXT too. If you really do want more power then FI is the way to go. Whether you choose SC or TC is a matter of choice but both are available in both relatively cheap basic and expensive more capable forms. With the right kit you can see 250bhp or more either way.
KH said:
Thanks very much indeed.
While I'm on could I ask another question. I'm 5' 10" and I find the driver's seat too high. Anyone else agree? Is there any way of lowering it?
Thanks again.
Google "foamectomy".While I'm on could I ask another question. I'm 5' 10" and I find the driver's seat too high. Anyone else agree? Is there any way of lowering it?
Thanks again.
You can remove the seat and take some foam out of the base, how much is up to you.
Not sure if you can remove back foam from a mk2 seat but someone will know.
Simbu said:
Aizle said:
Not sure if you can remove back foam from a mk2 seat but someone will know.
I'd be interested to know this - the lateral support in the stock mk2 seats is rubbish!
).MX-5 Lazza said:
Same as Mk1 and Mk2.5. They all have useless waist/shoulder support and little base support due to the way they narrow from the base up the back towards the headrest. Removing foam from the back will give better support around the waist but won't help with the shoulders (unless you are a short-arse ).
).
That's me screwed then! Do people tend to just use aftermarket seats instead? That or live with faceplanting the window round corners!Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff