Forced Induction MX5 versus MR2 Turbo

[pbirkett]

Anyone experienced both of these?

I already have a supercharged '5 kicking about 175 bhp and its a real hoot.

But I've always fancied an MR2 Turbo as well. Very quick cars.

Anyone had both, or got any comments?

I expect the '5 probably handles better, but the MR2 be the quicker car in a straight line.

How do they measure up in fun terms?

[6655321]

It depends how you think of 'good handling'... The MX5 is a little more forgiving when you pop over the limit, but I think the MR2 is a far more precise driving experience.

[Wadeski]

Not driven a blown mx5, but i imagine it to be more feel-full (like the standard car) but more lary. The friendly tail out action might be a little less friendly when the power starts going up.

the MR2 turbo has colossal grip and i would be happier driving one with big power (350-500bhp) than i would an MX-5, but it is more of a "mini GT car" and wont feel as connected as the mazda. Its much, much better over long distances.

[Herman Toothrot]

pbirkett said:

Anyone experienced both of these?

Yes.

The MX5 is considerably better.

If you want to do jap mid engined and forced induction import a mk1 Supercharged MR2.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Sunday 8th November 21:09

[OlberJ]

Depends if you want to have fun or go fast?

[Herman Toothrot]

OlberJ said:

Depends if you want to have fun or go fast?

An average 200bhp Forced induction MX5 will waste an MR2 turbo on track unless its sporting both a good driver and 300bhp.

[300bhp/ton]

pbirkett said:

Anyone experienced both of these?

I already have a supercharged '5 kicking about 175 bhp and its a real hoot.

But I've always fancied an MR2 Turbo as well. Very quick cars.

Anyone had both, or got any comments?

I expect the '5 probably handles better, but the MR2 be the quicker car in a straight line.

How do they measure up in fun terms?

Interesting comparison

Afraid I haven't driven either, but would have thought the MR2 to be more balanced in a mid engined sort of way, but also more of a handful when you push past the limits. No idea how good they are going sideways, but I've heard mixed reviews and my own experience is mid engine can bite and bite hard.

Do you like powersliding the 5? If so I suspect the MR2 may feel a little to well behaved on the street.


BTW - how much more power could you get out of the 5 within reasonable budget?

[Herman Toothrot]

300bhp/ton said:

BTW - how much more power could you get out of the 5 within reasonable budget?

250bhp is easy on the MX5, for the road its not to expensive either. If you want it to survive a thrashing on track at that level it costs more. Above 250bhp costs a lot.

[OlberJ]

Herman Toothrot said:

OlberJ said:

Depends if you want to have fun or go fast?

An average 200bhp Forced induction MX5 will waste an MR2 turbo on track unless its sporting both a good driver and 300bhp.

In a Mk2, maybe.

Mk1/3 with a 3SGTE and it's good bye Mr Chips.

Mk2 Turbo is a big number cruiser, i'd personally much rather have the Mx5.

[6655321]

OlberJ said:

Herman Toothrot said:

OlberJ said:

Depends if you want to have fun or go fast?

An average 200bhp Forced induction MX5 will waste an MR2 turbo on track unless its sporting both a good driver and 300bhp.

In a Mk2, maybe.

Mk1/3 with a 3SGTE and it's good bye Mr Chips.

Mk2 Turbo is a big number cruiser, i'd personally much rather have the Mx5.

Oddly enough the MKII MR2 wipes the floor with the MKI and MKII in the MR2 championship. As for MX5 vs MR2, they are very different in their execution. The MR2 is far more poised, and precise, and much more fun to 'get right', as taking a precise line, etc, is a lot more rewarding. THe MX5, (although I haven't driven an FI version), is much more fluid, and forgiving. It's going to be moving around a lot more on a high speed corner, but will be easier to play with on the limit. So, does the OP want a well-balanced car, or one that is a little more forgiving? They both doa job, they just do it different;y.

Edited by 6655321 on Monday 9th November 02:46

[Herman Toothrot]

6655321 said:

The MR2 is far more poised, and precise, and much more fun to 'get right', as taking a precise line, etc, is a lot more rewarding. THe MX5, (although I haven't driven an FI version), is much more fluid, and forgiving. It's going to be moving around a lot more on a high speed corner, but will be easier to play with on the limit. So, does the OP want a well-balanced car, or one that is a little more forgiving? They both doa job, they just do it different;y.

[/footnote]

Can't agree with any of that, particularly describing the MR2 as well balanced compared to the MX5. MR2 mk2 especially in super heavy turbo guise feels like an oil tanker compared to an MX5, theres nothing precise about it at all turn in on an MX5 is in another league to the mk2 MR2. All the Mk2 MR2 offers is high levels of grip in fast corners. I trackday'd MR2's for about seven years, last year I used a rev3 n/a on track about three times for full days, I used my MX5 about 5 times several on the same track so I can directly compare them.

Mk1 MR2 & Mk3 MR2 = Fun well handling sports cars like the MX5

Mk2 MR2 = GT cruiser

The race series I'm aware the mk2's do appear quickest, hardly suprising when they sport about 50bhp more than the competition. Adding balast low down is only really a handicap on acceleration below 60mph putting steel plates under the mk2 passenger seat probabyl aids weight distribution if anything, at higher speeds weight isn't an issue and outright BHP is all that matters and int he race series the mk2 has more.

[pbirkett]

Very interesting debate, and just what I had hoped for.

Currently my '5 is running a Powercarded M45 supercharger at 5 psi, but the comment about it not being too expensive to get to 250 bhp intrigues me; exactly what would be involved in that? I was under the impression it may be super expensive to get to that, but I suppose given that I could flog the M45 on for a pretty decent amount maybe it wont cost as much as I imagined. Herman, could you shed any light as to what might be involved?

[Herman Toothrot]

pbirkett said:

Very interesting debate, and just what I had hoped for.

Currently my '5 is running a Powercarded M45 supercharger at 5 psi, but the comment about it not being too expensive to get to 250 bhp intrigues me; exactly what would be involved in that? I was under the impression it may be super expensive to get to that, but I suppose given that I could flog the M45 on for a pretty decent amount maybe it wont cost as much as I imagined. Herman, could you shed any light as to what might be involved?

I was talking in general mx5 terms when I mentioned 250bhp, most turbo kits are capable of delivering that power and MP62 superchargers are as well. All that holds most cars back is a lack of investment in a standalone ECU that can run big injectors to supply the fuel, i.e. many stick with emanages that can only support 10% or so bigger injectors when really you need double the size injectors i.e. i run 550cc ones.

[300bhp/ton]

Herman Toothrot said:

pbirkett said:

Very interesting debate, and just what I had hoped for.

Currently my '5 is running a Powercarded M45 supercharger at 5 psi, but the comment about it not being too expensive to get to 250 bhp intrigues me; exactly what would be involved in that? I was under the impression it may be super expensive to get to that, but I suppose given that I could flog the M45 on for a pretty decent amount maybe it wont cost as much as I imagined. Herman, could you shed any light as to what might be involved?

I was talking in general mx5 terms when I mentioned 250bhp, most turbo kits are capable of delivering that power and MP62 superchargers are as well. All that holds most cars back is a lack of investment in a standalone ECU that can run big injectors to supply the fuel, i.e. many stick with emanages that can only support 10% or so bigger injectors when really you need double the size injectors i.e. i run 550cc ones.

How do the stock internals hold up on the MX5? I ask as I've been looking a MINI CS's recently and the 1.6 with blower seems pretty easy on those to get ~220hp and only a cam change on top to see around 250hp. All from 1.6 litres, so assume with the right setup and internals the 5 should fair similar?

[GravelBen]

IIRC rods are the first major weak point at around ~270bhp.

[Herman Toothrot]

300bhp/ton said:

How do the stock internals hold up on the MX5? I ask as I've been looking a MINI CS's recently and the 1.6 with blower seems pretty easy on those to get ~220hp and only a cam change on top to see around 250hp. All from 1.6 litres, so assume with the right setup and internals the 5 should fair similar?

You don't need to touch the long block in any way up to around the 260+ bhp mark, the superchargers can go a bit higher bhp wise as they lack the torque the turbo setups provide. In this country about 280bhp has been the maximum I've seen anyone run without engine failure. The Americans claim 300bhp but quite frankly I think their horses are smaller than ours as they always claim to get wheel bhp at the same levels of tune when the rest of the worlds talking flywheel figures.

I've run about 260bhp/230lbs for almost 3 years worth of trackdays with 100% reliability. I'm having a forged engine built so I can take it over 300bhp without concerns.

Regards the mini blower I've hear the supercharged chap say it no good for the mx5 due to mounting issues. I've never really investigated superchargers though as early on with my MX5 I decided to go the turbo route.