Mx5 turbo/sc for fun?

[dblack1]

GravelBen said:

BeirutTaxi said:

...means you're not far off the price of something like a used Honda S2000.

But a fair bit faster!

Not exactly - a turbo or sc mx5 built the right way (and built to perform similar to an S2000) will be more expensive than a used S2000. If you go the cheap route you will produce the power, but you won't have the reliability.

Not to say I wouldn't suggest the mx5 route, because the mx5 was designed specifically to give the driver more feel for the car (another thought is that the turbo and sc kits will take away from this feel).

My honest opinion is what he is looking for may be an MX5, but is more likely to be a different car.

[GravelBen]

I guess the prices depend where you are - when I had my turbo MX5 (250rwhp) I bought it with the work already done to a pretty high standard (there were a few niggles to sort out but nothing major), for less than half what the cheapest S2000 on the market was asking at the time(and the cheapest Elises were double that again).

You're probably right though when it comes to actual build cost though rather than buying one with the work done, especially as S2000 prices continue to drop.

[leemarkadams]

I would be looking to buy an mx5 already converted, or at least with only a small amount of work to do anyway.

[dblack1]

GravelBen said:

I guess the prices depend where you are - when I had my turbo MX5 (250rwhp) I bought it with the work already done to a pretty high standard (there were a few niggles to sort out but nothing major), for less than half what the cheapest S2000 on the market was asking at the time(and the cheapest Elises were double that again).

You're probably right though when it comes to actual build cost though rather than buying one with the work done, especially as S2000 prices continue to drop.

I didn't consider prebuilt.... Good point. Another thought, the MX5 has been around for a while, and so an old one can be had for cheap, and the S2000 has not been around for nearly as long, and they have stopped producing it. Considering that, building a 1st generation MX5 would probably be cheaper either way and you will have better parts availability. If I compare newer to newer, your looking at the same price range.

[fatjon]

It seems fair to say that if an MX5 turbo is built to a good standard, and I don't mean a half baked kit with an ECU piggy back it will not make the money back that it costs to convert it. Too many folks that don't know the difference.

[towelie]

I've got a 195hp an 190 ft lbs turbo mk1 mx5, its good fun on track and will easily annoy s2 elise'. Its good fun, but I would be tempted by a westfield. Although for the price your not going to get close to a turbo mx5. As said earlier I'd buy a ready sorted one, but be warned there are alot of dodgy turbo'd fives around.

Make sure it has:

a proper ECU ie megasquirt
1.8 torsen- 1.6 vlsd didn't last long
1.8 brakes, braided lines, yellowstuff- taken alot of abuse without fade
intercooler
oil cooler is very much needed, I have no idea how my car lasted without one
large radiator- also very much required, in boost with stock the numbers would start going up from 90 with boost upto 96+
decent manifold- fm, begi, hks

Also it really needs decent coilovers, meisterr on mine and I'm now looking to put thicker anti roll bars on it.

stock seats also aren't great, so bucket seats and harnesses!

Hope that helps others may disagree, but thats just my experience of the car. With that setup my car happily laps around a track flat out while holding constant temperatures and no brake fade.

[leemarkadams]

Holy thread resurrection......but I have finally bought a turbo MX5 (270bhp) last weekend and you were right...they are excellent fun for the money!

[jimmytheone]

leemarkadams said:

Holy thread resurrection......but I have finally bought a turbo MX5 (270bhp) last weekend and you were right...they are excellent fun for the money!

Pics?
Spec?
270 at crank presumably not at the wheels?
Still, sounds mega
Any more thoughts now you've had it few days?

my na 1.8 has just failed mot on cills, needless to say I'm repairing it (cant bare to part with it after 6yrs) then considering FI

[leemarkadams]

270bhp at the crank (232 at the wheels)


Engine spec:

2.5" decat full stainless steel quality exhaust
Fast5 Alloy washer bottle
Fast5 Alloy Radiator
Fast5 Intercooler
Fast5 Silicone coolant hose set
TD04L Turbo
Sturovo manifold & downpipe
Forge Wastegate Actuator
Forge BOV
440cc RX8 Injectors
MegaSquirt 3 ECU
Flyin' Miata Stage 1 Clutch
K&N RU-3560 Air filter





Still impressed at the performance for the money!

[Tje]

This looks lovely. I’m just waiting on my mk1 to be finished having a turbo and other bits bolted to it.

Hoping to be around 200bhp when done. Owned it for a year. Had all the rust and general matainence done as it had no service history. Could have got one ready done for cheaper but I had got attached to it.

Well done for getting one!

[SmilerFTM]

leemarkadams said:

270bhp at the crank (232 at the wheels)


Engine spec:

2.5" decat full stainless steel quality exhaust
Fast5 Alloy washer bottle
Fast5 Alloy Radiator
Fast5 Intercooler
Fast5 Silicone coolant hose set
TD04L Turbo
Sturovo manifold & downpipe
Forge Wastegate Actuator
Forge BOV
440cc RX8 Injectors
MegaSquirt 3 ECU
Flyin' Miata Stage 1 Clutch
K&N RU-3560 Air filter





Still impressed at the performance for the money!

I thought that engine was only good up to around 250bhp before new stronger internals were needed? I don't know a lot about them admittedly so wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong

[fatjon]

Forged steel crank and rods as standard and oil squirters under the pistons. The engine was originally designed from the ground up to be turbocharged. With a compression drop and a good engine management system you can get north of 300 without major mods. Get a decent external oil cooler, improved oil pump and front pulley assembly and 400 plus is quite doable.

I built one up for my MX5 that now lives in my Exocet which uses a GT2860RS, billet oil pump, Manley rods and 8.3:1 pistons with an 8 injector setup on MS3 and it is doing 350BHP even with the boost turned down a bit.

[griffdude]

Congratulations on your purchase OP, looks like someone else did the hard work & copped for the expense too! FI Mx5s are really under rated, the extra power is easily handled by the chassis.
I've been sprinting mine in Classic Marques this year & it turns out you can beat some quite exotic machinery...