(another MX5 thread) 1.6 or 1.8?
Discussion
Hi,
How much performance difference is their between the 1.6 and 1.8 on early MX5s? As with every sporty car available in two different engine sizes it appears the 1.6 owners claim they have the nicer engine and the performance is very close in the real world
Is this the case?
Secondly, one possibility is to buy a car now and then supercharge it. Would their be any logical choice as to which engine to start off with? I'm just looking for enough bhp to pep-up overtaking (maybe 180?) not wheelspin in 5th!!
How much performance difference is their between the 1.6 and 1.8 on early MX5s? As with every sporty car available in two different engine sizes it appears the 1.6 owners claim they have the nicer engine and the performance is very close in the real world
Is this the case?
Secondly, one possibility is to buy a car now and then supercharge it. Would their be any logical choice as to which engine to start off with? I'm just looking for enough bhp to pep-up overtaking (maybe 180?) not wheelspin in 5th!!
The 1.8 feels torqier to drive, although the 1.6 is probably slightly sweeter at the top end (although that's not to say the 1.8 is in any way rough). Either engine can be supercharged with equal ease, although the 1.8 will obviously yield more bhp ultimately.
If you're thinking of going down the FI route, it's worth bearing in mind that the 1.8 has bigger brakes and a stronger diff, which were strong factors swaying me towards the 1.8 when I bought mine.
If you're thinking of going down the FI route, it's worth bearing in mind that the 1.8 has bigger brakes and a stronger diff, which were strong factors swaying me towards the 1.8 when I bought mine.
Can anyone quantify the differnece? If I pull out to overtake someone at 40mph (in the appropriate gear) will the 1.8 be noticeably quicker?
I suppose the thing is I'd be more likely to keep a decent 1.8 standard, whereas I'd be reached for FI for the 1.6 maybe. The thing is, although I'd like more BHP the whole appeal of an MX5 to me is something I can balance precisely on the throttle, so [admittedly not having driven one] I'm guessing I'd want either a supercharger or a very good turbo set up to avoid getting too much lag? Maybe what I want is a na VTEC powered '5
I suppose the thing is I'd be more likely to keep a decent 1.8 standard, whereas I'd be reached for FI for the 1.6 maybe. The thing is, although I'd like more BHP the whole appeal of an MX5 to me is something I can balance precisely on the throttle, so [admittedly not having driven one] I'm guessing I'd want either a supercharger or a very good turbo set up to avoid getting too much lag? Maybe what I want is a na VTEC powered '5
redgriff500 said:
My modded 1.6 was faster then a std 1.8.
In reality there's not much in it but the 1.8 feels like a bigger engine.
I love SC's and hate turbos (had several of both).
Best bet is to buy an already modified car.
Also depends on budget plenty of 1.6's below £2000 most 1.8's £3000.
In reality there's not much in it but the 1.8 feels like a bigger engine.
I love SC's and hate turbos (had several of both).
Best bet is to buy an already modified car.
Also depends on budget plenty of 1.6's below £2000 most 1.8's £3000.
Hwta did you do to your 1.6? I haven't heard of anyone doing much na tuning. Always seem to be straight for forced induction and I'm not looking for a 250hp monster, just something that dispatches the sunday drivers a bit quicker on country lanes. I'd be happy with any of them if I didn't need the grunt to get past the army of people who insist on doing 38mph down all our A and B roads!!
1.6 had good intake, exhaust and cat replacement.
Gave 130bhp (up from 115) and the 1.6 is slightly lighter.
But I went for a JRSC as it wasn't enough to despatch idiots on country lanes.
SC's are coming down, I paid over £2000 around 7 years ago, currently £1700 and can be got for £1400 and I reckon soon to be less as there are 2 new SC kits due out this month.
Gave 130bhp (up from 115) and the 1.6 is slightly lighter.
But I went for a JRSC as it wasn't enough to despatch idiots on country lanes.
SC's are coming down, I paid over £2000 around 7 years ago, currently £1700 and can be got for £1400 and I reckon soon to be less as there are 2 new SC kits due out this month.
Pre-'94 1.6 compared to 1.8 there isn't a huge amount in it. Post-'94 though (after the 1.8 was released) they detuned the 1.6 to 90bhp from the standard 115bhp.
Also - diff, as has been mentioned before, the early 1.6 came with a 6" diff, either open or viscous LSD (which will be operating as an open diff by now). The 1.8 came with a stronger 7" diff and the LSD version was a mechanical Torsen. If you do end up tuning the engine on a 1.6 you'll end up wanting to change the diff too (means new prop shaft, diff [not too easy to get hold of] and drive shafts).
Also - diff, as has been mentioned before, the early 1.6 came with a 6" diff, either open or viscous LSD (which will be operating as an open diff by now). The 1.8 came with a stronger 7" diff and the LSD version was a mechanical Torsen. If you do end up tuning the engine on a 1.6 you'll end up wanting to change the diff too (means new prop shaft, diff [not too easy to get hold of] and drive shafts).
The 114bhp 1.6 actually finished in 93 when it was replaced with the 130bhp 1.8.
The 90bhp 1.6 was reintroduced in 94 as insurance prices were flying high due to the rash of GTI's at that time.
The 90bhp 1.6 is more than just a detuned 114bhp engine though. It's very difficult to get it up to the spec of the 114bhp engine. In fact it's almost a completely different engine. Even the crank-shaft is different! There is very little that can be swapped between the engines.
The best car in my view is a 93 1.8 as this will have the 130bhp 1.8 engine but will be lighter than 94+ cars which all had added bracing and crash protection which all added to the weight.
My current Mk2.5 1.8 Sport is at 150Kg or more heavier though that's ok as it has about 90bhp more
The 90bhp 1.6 was reintroduced in 94 as insurance prices were flying high due to the rash of GTI's at that time.
The 90bhp 1.6 is more than just a detuned 114bhp engine though. It's very difficult to get it up to the spec of the 114bhp engine. In fact it's almost a completely different engine. Even the crank-shaft is different! There is very little that can be swapped between the engines.
The best car in my view is a 93 1.8 as this will have the 130bhp 1.8 engine but will be lighter than 94+ cars which all had added bracing and crash protection which all added to the weight.
My current Mk2.5 1.8 Sport is at 150Kg or more heavier though that's ok as it has about 90bhp more
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