NA tuning options on a MK2.5 1.8?
Discussion
I have a buddy who has bought an MX5 and wants to modify it. He doesn't want to go too silly or expensive and forced induction a no no.
What na tuning options are available and what sort of bhp gains can you get out of the 1.8?
Is an extra 20bhp asking too much?
What na tuning options are available and what sort of bhp gains can you get out of the 1.8?
Is an extra 20bhp asking too much?
- Btw i had a quick spin in this car i previously dismissed as a girly car i was seriously impressed on how it felt on the road. Now i l know what all the fuss is about and i had to eat humble pie.
There aren't really any gains to be had on a Mk2.5 without spending a fair amount of money.
An induction kit will sound good but won't add any power (still worth it though).
Replacing the exhaust (cat + mid-pipe + back box) may gain half a dozen horses but that's not cheap. You can fit a performance manifold but they Mk2.5 stock one is pretty good (it's used as a cheap upgrade on previous models) so again there is very little gain there.
On earlier models you could advance the timing but that can't easily be done on Mk2.5.
My advice? Fit a simple induction kit - one that fits a nice big filter to the MAF but leaving the tubing to the MAF in place, and a back box which will give a good exhaust burble and induction noise so it will feel quicker - it just won't actually be quicker.
My final bit of advice - use ALL the revs. Don't change gear until 6500-7000 rpm. You can't break these engines with revs and all the power is at the top end. If you change gear early you are not getting the best from it.
An induction kit will sound good but won't add any power (still worth it though).
Replacing the exhaust (cat + mid-pipe + back box) may gain half a dozen horses but that's not cheap. You can fit a performance manifold but they Mk2.5 stock one is pretty good (it's used as a cheap upgrade on previous models) so again there is very little gain there.
On earlier models you could advance the timing but that can't easily be done on Mk2.5.
My advice? Fit a simple induction kit - one that fits a nice big filter to the MAF but leaving the tubing to the MAF in place, and a back box which will give a good exhaust burble and induction noise so it will feel quicker - it just won't actually be quicker.
My final bit of advice - use ALL the revs. Don't change gear until 6500-7000 rpm. You can't break these engines with revs and all the power is at the top end. If you change gear early you are not getting the best from it.
MX-5 Lazza said:
There aren't really any gains to be had on a Mk2.5 without spending a fair amount of money.
An induction kit will sound good but won't add any power (still worth it though).
Replacing the exhaust (cat + mid-pipe + back box) may gain half a dozen horses but that's not cheap. You can fit a performance manifold but they Mk2.5 stock one is pretty good (it's used as a cheap upgrade on previous models) so again there is very little gain there.
On earlier models you could advance the timing but that can't easily be done on Mk2.5.
My advice? Fit a simple induction kit - one that fits a nice big filter to the MAF but leaving the tubing to the MAF in place, and a back box which will give a good exhaust burble and induction noise so it will feel quicker - it just won't actually be quicker.
My final bit of advice - use ALL the revs. Don't change gear until 6500-7000 rpm. You can't break these engines with revs and all the power is at the top end. If you change gear early you are not getting the best from it.
What induction kit and exhaust do you recommend? An induction kit will sound good but won't add any power (still worth it though).
Replacing the exhaust (cat + mid-pipe + back box) may gain half a dozen horses but that's not cheap. You can fit a performance manifold but they Mk2.5 stock one is pretty good (it's used as a cheap upgrade on previous models) so again there is very little gain there.
On earlier models you could advance the timing but that can't easily be done on Mk2.5.
My advice? Fit a simple induction kit - one that fits a nice big filter to the MAF but leaving the tubing to the MAF in place, and a back box which will give a good exhaust burble and induction noise so it will feel quicker - it just won't actually be quicker.
My final bit of advice - use ALL the revs. Don't change gear until 6500-7000 rpm. You can't break these engines with revs and all the power is at the top end. If you change gear early you are not getting the best from it.
I don't know. I'm all about FI so I know what I'd recommend if it was super/turbo charged but not what's best for NA.
FM, Borla & Racing Beat (which I have) make great exhaust but none of them are cheap. Larini is very good too. ILM do a good one via MX5 Parts. MX5 Parts exhaust is good value for money but some don't like the sound it makes.
FM, Borla & Racing Beat (which I have) make great exhaust but none of them are cheap. Larini is very good too. ILM do a good one via MX5 Parts. MX5 Parts exhaust is good value for money but some don't like the sound it makes.
I've got a K&N Tyhoon induction kit, bought from MX5 Parts. It sounds like Armageddon! Almost stock at low revs but then sounds mental when you go about 4k rpm. Ace!
That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
silverMX said:
I've got a K&N Tyhoon induction kit, bought from MX5 Parts. It sounds like Armageddon! Almost stock at low revs but then sounds mental when you go about 4k rpm. Ace!
That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
Is the K&N kit really loud above 4k RPM? And is it boomy at all?That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
I quite fancy some extra noise, but not at the expense of being able to cruise on the motorway!
LukeBird said:
silverMX said:
I've got a K&N Tyhoon induction kit, bought from MX5 Parts. It sounds like Armageddon! Almost stock at low revs but then sounds mental when you go about 4k rpm. Ace!
That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
Is the K&N kit really loud above 4k RPM? And is it boomy at all?That's mated to a Powerflow cat-back which cost about £350 fitted and the fitter gives the options of OEM level of noise, sporty rorty or McDonalds loud. I went mediocre and it sounds sweet.
As for going faster, as Lazza says take it to 6.5-7k rpm for best results; it'll surprise you!
I quite fancy some extra noise, but not at the expense of being able to cruise on the motorway!
The only problem I found is that the kit includes one bracket to support the main pipe, and I didn't feel that this provided adequate support (it let the whole lot bounce around too much). I made a second bracket (nothing complicated) which effectively triangulates the mounting so that it doesn't move.
If you're interested in seeing/hearing it, drop me an email (we're in Waterlooville).
S7Paul said:
The K&N Typhoon is noticeably noisier as soon as you start the engine. It never gets boomy, and I've found it OK on motorways. I'd describe is as snarly, and the higher the revs, the better it sounds (great at 6000+). Unless I'm being fooled by the noise, I'd say the throttle response is a bit sharper, especially in the higher gears.
The only problem I found is that the kit includes one bracket to support the main pipe, and I didn't feel that this provided adequate support (it let the whole lot bounce around too much). I made a second bracket (nothing complicated) which effectively triangulates the mounting so that it doesn't move.
If you're interested in seeing/hearing it, drop me an email (we're in Waterlooville).
Sounds good, something I could well be interested in! The only problem I found is that the kit includes one bracket to support the main pipe, and I didn't feel that this provided adequate support (it let the whole lot bounce around too much). I made a second bracket (nothing complicated) which effectively triangulates the mounting so that it doesn't move.
If you're interested in seeing/hearing it, drop me an email (we're in Waterlooville).
I may well take you up on your offer in the future, many thanks!
MX-5 Lazza said:
You can fit a performance manifold but they Mk2.5 stock one is pretty good (it's used as a cheap upgrade on previous models) so again there is very little gain there.
I'm glad you said that, I was starting to eye the one on MX-5 parts quite a lot.The gorgeous stainless tubular one...
CHIEF said:
- Btw i had a quick spin in this car i previously dismissed as a girly car i was seriously impressed on how it felt on the road. Now i l know what all the fuss is about and i had to eat humble pie.
If I had £10 for every friend of mine that's said that... well, I'd be able to fill it up for free.
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