NB performance upgrade

[Rick101]

Hi,

Thinking of some car stuff for the wife's birthday (generous aren't I!)

She has a 2005 1.8 Sport. It's standard as far as I know. I think the 'sport' means 6sp box, LSD and uprated springs.

I think some basic engine mods would be nice but nothing too technical.

It's recently had an exhaust so not looking to change that.
Would like a bit more power, can take a while to get going esp 2 up.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[MX-5 Lazza]

There isn't really much you can do to add power without adding forced induction (which would be a very generous birthday present). An induction kit looks and sounds good though and makes the car "feel" a bit quicker.

[Rick101]

Not beyond the realms of a possibility.

Had come across that page before whilst browsing. Wasn't sure whether it would make more DB than HP.

[MX-5 Lazza]

It would indeed be more DB than HP but it does sound good and encourages the use of higher revs which is where all the cars power is anyway.

I should ask this, I hope you aren't offended but, is it being driven to get the best power out of it? The best power is all at the top end of the rev range so changing gear much before about 6.5k is will be missing out on a lot of whatever power the car has and to get the max out of it you need to be changing just before the rev limiter.

[Rick101]

Hi, yes, it does get 'driven'.

Did a 1000 mile tour over to Ireland & back in May.

Last weekend went North over the Moors up to Holy Island.

I think it's one of the more powerful engines but I just feel a touch more power or torque would make a massive difference. There are ways but I'd like to keep it 'reasonably standard'

[MX-5 Lazza]

Rick101 said:

...I'd like to keep it 'reasonably standard'

In that case you aren't going to see any real performance improvement. You can do a bit of NA tuning but that tends to cost a lot of money for very little result. The only way to get a good performance improvement for your money is with a turbo or supercharger.
A full exhaust system will get you a few extra horses and a really good induction system like the Racing Beat one might add a few more but I reckon you are still looking at less than +10bhp for around £1k and that will be mostly at the top end.

[Rick101]

Hmm, luggage and a detail it is then!