Project MXT - MX5 Turbo
Discussion
I've always liked the idea of an FI'd Mx5 but never really got round to it.
Then i went for a spin in PHer _Batty_'s mk1. Slammed on coilovers with Rota RB's i thought it looked the business. I took it out for a spin and the handling blew me away. Just didn't have the straight line shove I was after...
So "Project MXT" was born. I was on the look out for a pre turbo'd car, with a hard top, ideally with Rota RB's that I could use as a solid basis for getting some decent power...
Eventually I found the perfect car in BRG on mx5nutz.com.
1999 Eunos V - Spec
27k miles
6 speed
Top mount HKS turbo Kit fitted running 0.4bar using an HKS FCON mini as management.
HKS Mid pipe with a R*sr Rear Box
HKS Gauges (boost-exhaust temp-oil temp)
HKS Hypermax coilovers
There was a slight overheating issue in the first month, which reared its head once you've been on boost for a while. A trip to the ring was already booked so had to sort it ASAP.
Fitted an uprated rad
Replaced the volvic water bottle oil catch can with an ebay special
Oil cooler to keep the oil temps down on track (It ran 110+ in regular use, now never passes 90 even on track)
And an FMIC so i could increase the boost further down the line
Big thanks to Andy my tame mechanic who slaved away for a full week on it whilst I was busy getting drunk in Vegas
And after all of Andy's hard work
Engine bay all tidied up by Andy, since this shot we've fitted an induction heat shield which has been great in keeping the induction temps down.
So now I had a car running a reliable 170bhp and was looking forward to a trip to the 'ring! Or so i thought...
I took the car to DS Automotive in Aylesbury for a "power run" - basically to check everything was running ok and give me the confidence it wasn't going to blow up at the ring. Everything was fine...but the boost had dropped from 0.4 bar to 0.25.... I was looking at 139bhp and very disappointed, thats pretty much standard power. Had a bit more torque than standard though. Decided to keep the car on "low boost" and enjoy the ring where the car absolutely faultless.
Back from the ring and the quest for more power continued. Off to Top Gear in Aylesbury to replace the exhaust with a 2.5" system and decat. Swapped the tailpipe to something a little less phallic while i was at it.
From this:
To this:
Off to DSA again. Threw the F CON mini in the bin and replaced it with a Unichip Q+ and turbosmart electronic boost acuators thingy. Original plan was to stick with the standard injectors, map it, then do the injectors at a later stage.
Unfortunately, MXT popped a hose on the dyno on a Friday afternoon. And they couldnt get a new hose til Tuesday. I took the decision to get some 550cc injectors installed whilst the car was off the road. The standard injectors would be pretty maxed out at 185bhp ish so some futureproofing seemed like a good idea.
Everything in and mapped resulting in 203bhp and 193ftlb at only 0.5bar. I'm very impressed at the gains Dave acheived from only a 0.1 bar increase.
It is massively driveable, minimal lag and ample power available pretty much anywhere in the rev range.
Fitted a sticked for an additional 5bhp.
Future plans:
Steering wheel has to go (370mm!)
TR Lane roll bar. Toying with the idea of having it trimmed in tan leather to match the seats, thus in keeping with the whole "fast road" vibe...thoughts?
The target for the project was 230bhp...so when I'm feeling brave I'll be having some more mapping done....
Then i went for a spin in PHer _Batty_'s mk1. Slammed on coilovers with Rota RB's i thought it looked the business. I took it out for a spin and the handling blew me away. Just didn't have the straight line shove I was after...
So "Project MXT" was born. I was on the look out for a pre turbo'd car, with a hard top, ideally with Rota RB's that I could use as a solid basis for getting some decent power...
Eventually I found the perfect car in BRG on mx5nutz.com.
1999 Eunos V - Spec
27k miles
6 speed
Top mount HKS turbo Kit fitted running 0.4bar using an HKS FCON mini as management.
HKS Mid pipe with a R*sr Rear Box
HKS Gauges (boost-exhaust temp-oil temp)
HKS Hypermax coilovers
There was a slight overheating issue in the first month, which reared its head once you've been on boost for a while. A trip to the ring was already booked so had to sort it ASAP.
Fitted an uprated rad
Replaced the volvic water bottle oil catch can with an ebay special
Oil cooler to keep the oil temps down on track (It ran 110+ in regular use, now never passes 90 even on track)
And an FMIC so i could increase the boost further down the line
Big thanks to Andy my tame mechanic who slaved away for a full week on it whilst I was busy getting drunk in Vegas
And after all of Andy's hard work
Engine bay all tidied up by Andy, since this shot we've fitted an induction heat shield which has been great in keeping the induction temps down.
So now I had a car running a reliable 170bhp and was looking forward to a trip to the 'ring! Or so i thought...
I took the car to DS Automotive in Aylesbury for a "power run" - basically to check everything was running ok and give me the confidence it wasn't going to blow up at the ring. Everything was fine...but the boost had dropped from 0.4 bar to 0.25.... I was looking at 139bhp and very disappointed, thats pretty much standard power. Had a bit more torque than standard though. Decided to keep the car on "low boost" and enjoy the ring where the car absolutely faultless.
Back from the ring and the quest for more power continued. Off to Top Gear in Aylesbury to replace the exhaust with a 2.5" system and decat. Swapped the tailpipe to something a little less phallic while i was at it.
From this:
To this:
Off to DSA again. Threw the F CON mini in the bin and replaced it with a Unichip Q+ and turbosmart electronic boost acuators thingy. Original plan was to stick with the standard injectors, map it, then do the injectors at a later stage.
Unfortunately, MXT popped a hose on the dyno on a Friday afternoon. And they couldnt get a new hose til Tuesday. I took the decision to get some 550cc injectors installed whilst the car was off the road. The standard injectors would be pretty maxed out at 185bhp ish so some futureproofing seemed like a good idea.
Everything in and mapped resulting in 203bhp and 193ftlb at only 0.5bar. I'm very impressed at the gains Dave acheived from only a 0.1 bar increase.
It is massively driveable, minimal lag and ample power available pretty much anywhere in the rev range.
Fitted a sticked for an additional 5bhp.
Future plans:
Steering wheel has to go (370mm!)
TR Lane roll bar. Toying with the idea of having it trimmed in tan leather to match the seats, thus in keeping with the whole "fast road" vibe...thoughts?
The target for the project was 230bhp...so when I'm feeling brave I'll be having some more mapping done....
Thanks for the compliments guys!
Cheif - 16 inch Rota RBs
Duke - It drives now like i imagined it would with a full 230. Hairy in the wet, but im running 5 switchable maps so i can go for anywhere from 150 upwards.
Ben - Yes i had the ghd sticker made myself. Everyone says its a hairdressers car so I thought it was quite funny...
BCA - I prefer it to drive than the S2k. The handling is in a league above the Honda, the steering feel is so much better, the chassis more more communicative. It is so easy to slide its brilliant. Much better brakes on the s2k though.
Hod did you know i know big Dave? He passengered with me to the ring and did a few laps (running low boost spec). He struggled getting a dab of oppo on with the massive steering wheel! I was at his wedding on Saturday running full boost, but apparently he had more important things to do than have a drive?
Cheif - 16 inch Rota RBs
Duke - It drives now like i imagined it would with a full 230. Hairy in the wet, but im running 5 switchable maps so i can go for anywhere from 150 upwards.
Ben - Yes i had the ghd sticker made myself. Everyone says its a hairdressers car so I thought it was quite funny...
BCA - I prefer it to drive than the S2k. The handling is in a league above the Honda, the steering feel is so much better, the chassis more more communicative. It is so easy to slide its brilliant. Much better brakes on the s2k though.
Hod did you know i know big Dave? He passengered with me to the ring and did a few laps (running low boost spec). He struggled getting a dab of oppo on with the massive steering wheel! I was at his wedding on Saturday running full boost, but apparently he had more important things to do than have a drive?
MrFlibbles said:
The lowering, hard top and wheels really do put it visually into the 'baby RX7' league, rather than the GHD-special one (which just enhances the sticker).
As for the effect of the tuning - it's by far and away the most lively car I've ever sat in. Really very impressive.
Looking forward to a run out in re-mapped and tuned-up form.
By the way - your description of that exhaust (old one) got nowhere near doing it justice. That's terrible!
I know big dave through Northloop.co.uk - where he put up a topic on your mx5 - I suggest you join up and join in... I'd like to know what he thinks of the car in it's current state of tune, he can certainly drive - albeit with minimal mechanical sympathy. For the brakes, what pads are you running? Mine is running standard pads and they're pretty poor - apparently they are easily bettered just by changing the OE pads - I'll try it when I have money again (no time soon!)
I'd like to know what he thinks of the car in it's current state of tune, he can certainly drive - albeit with minimal mechanical sympathy. For the brakes, what pads are you running? Mine is running standard pads and they're pretty poor - apparently they are easily bettered just by changing the OE pads - I'll try it when I have money again (no time soon!)
_Al_ - Thanks for the kind words! Andy has put loads of hard work into it!
XJR - The previous owner was a regular up there. Even though I've changed the plate I had some guys come over who recognised it from Ace when i was at the ring
BCA - Picked it up running Greenstuff which actually weren't too bad. Put yellowstuff on for the trip to the ring and they were fine and fade free. Still running OE discs. I was thinking about braking options today, they are lacking a bit a current power.
Badders - Its a sealed system, about £30 off eBay.
XJR - The previous owner was a regular up there. Even though I've changed the plate I had some guys come over who recognised it from Ace when i was at the ring
BCA - Picked it up running Greenstuff which actually weren't too bad. Put yellowstuff on for the trip to the ring and they were fine and fade free. Still running OE discs. I was thinking about braking options today, they are lacking a bit a current power.
Badders - Its a sealed system, about £30 off eBay.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff