MX Mk1 - Forced Induction or not?
MX Mk1 - Forced Induction or not?
Author
Discussion

densil101

Original Poster:

11 posts

163 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Hi (first post so bear with me!)

I've had a MX5 mk1 1.6 (110 bhp) for many years now (my dad bought it new in '91). I still have plenty of fun in it. But like many I kind of wish that it had a bit more power. I went for a test drive in a supercharged mk1 at trlane and although I liked it I did find the supercharger whine a tad intrusive. I haver wondered about getting it turbocharged but feared that it would destroy the response from it etc

So my question is really, has anyone gone down the FI route and regretted it? Or is FI the way forward? Any related info would be most appreciated.

Many thanks!

Baryonyx

18,149 posts

176 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Some pople enjoy turbo charged MX5's. I'd go down that route were I looking to modify an MX5, certainly over a supercharger anyway.

That said, I expect to suit the extra power the turbo will give you'll have to start modifying the rest of the cars. MX5's feel quite soft in the corners with some body roll, having the engine producing a lot more power than the cars already produce could prove too much for the chassis.

Were I looking for a turbo charged two seater sports car I'd look at the MR2 Turbo, which was designed with the turbo in mind from the start. I've owned a N/A NB MX5 and an MR2 Turbo, I might add.

iguana

7,205 posts

277 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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I've had turbo & SC both great.

Torsen dif, dececnt suspension & 180-200ish bhp makes for a cracking fun daily hack, far more power is available if ya fancy, costs do add up then tho.

Sbloxxy

120 posts

244 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Just bought my first turbo'd Mk1 MX5 after owning many n/a cars. The difference in power and performance is incredible but I reckon you'll need careful re-mapping with a decent aftermarket ECU to make it run smoothly so add that to your budget. Mine doesn't have that yet but its the first thing I'll be buying. Even so, I'm quite surprised at the performance - 70-100mph in 5th gear takes 5 seconds which is nice...

Matt UK

18,079 posts

217 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Considered FI on my mk1 MX5. But then realised that is was getting used mainly for track days, so chopped out and got a Caterham instead.

Mr MXT

7,764 posts

300 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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I've got a turbo'd mk2, its great biggrin

kambites

69,918 posts

238 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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You really need to drive a turbo and see if you like it. It's inevitable that you'll et a certain amount of lag with a turbo but some people are bothered more by that than others, many don't even notice it. Personally, I'd go for a supercharger or nothing if it was me.

TameRacingDriver

19,509 posts

289 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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My old eunos was supercharged up to about 180 bhp or so. It certainly was a bit quicker, most noticeably so in the higher gears. Although even then it wasn't THAT quick but id say it was enough for the car. Too much power and you lose the ability to cane the nuts off it. It was also a fair bit thirstier and required super unleaded in case of knock. Somewhat less reliable, too.

I can certainly see why people like them but to me you turn the car into a different beast. One of the joys of an mx5 is having to work for your performance.

Mr MXT

7,764 posts

300 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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TameRacingDriver said:
My old eunos was supercharged up to about 180 bhp or so. It certainly was a bit quicker, most noticeably so in the higher gears. Although even then it wasn't THAT quick but id say it was enough for the car. Too much power and you lose the ability to cane the nuts off it. It was also a fair bit thirstier and required super unleaded in case of knock. Somewhat less reliable, too.

I can certainly see why people like them but to me you turn the car into a different beast. One of the joys of an mx5 is having to work for your performance.
I respectfully disagree - I havent lost the ability to cane the nuts off mine at all. Its more fun and more involving in my opinion.

Conor D

2,124 posts

192 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Would £2-3k buy and install everything for FI? Say a second hand supercharger kit (it's not often they pop up).

TameRacingDriver

19,509 posts

289 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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Mr MXT said:
I respectfully disagree - I havent lost the ability to cane the nuts off mine at all. Its more fun and more involving in my opinion.
Mine with 180 bhp or so was enough that you could still do that... but I read about ones with 250 bhp and I'm guessing they are almost too fast.

Saying that, I wouldn't mind trying one, nonetheless.

Dodsy

7,175 posts

244 months

Monday 27th February 2012
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DOnt forget, you could buy a Turbo'd Mk1 brand new in the UK. It was a factory approved dealer fit modification from BBR . They still do them, but cheap it isnt ! http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11646...