Mk1 turbo, pros and cons?
Discussion
GravelBen said:
Drive it fix it repeat said:
Top speed I dont know, whatever the limiter is in fifth.
IIRC I calculated it from the gearing when I had mine at around 235km/h (146mph), that had an NB 5-speed in an NA but I don't know if the ratios were any different to an NA gearbox.Didn't take too long to get there either (on a track of course officer). JDM speedo pegged itself at 180km/h but the revs kept winding out.
ShinyPsyduck said:
Cheer guys. I really need to get myself in one to see what they are like. I drove a NC 2.0 Sport the other day for the first time in a couple of years but I didnt enjoy it as much as I once did.
We are opposite ends of the country unfortunately as I’d happily take you for a spin. I’ve taken people out before who wanted to experience a car, it’s our duty to help out fellow car nuts IMO. Sure someone local will help you out if you ask around. Drive it fix it repeat said:
GravelBen said:
Drive it fix it repeat said:
Top speed I dont know, whatever the limiter is in fifth.
IIRC I calculated it from the gearing when I had mine at around 235km/h (146mph), that had an NB 5-speed in an NA but I don't know if the ratios were any different to an NA gearbox.Didn't take too long to get there either (on a track of course officer). JDM speedo pegged itself at 180km/h but the revs kept winding out.
suggests the NA & NB 5 speed gearboxes have same ratios (common up to 2015 so used in NC's!)
also allows you to work out speeds in gears & overall
Rich.
I might be about to make myself very unpopular here but are the turbo and SC conversions actually all that reliable? When I've been part of the MX5 gang, forums always seemed to be filled with issues on boosted cars. Maybe I've got the wrong impression but it put me off a little as one of things that I love about MX5's is that you can just get in them and drive them without every really worrying about whether it will complete the journey. I also actually have come to appreciate the lack of outright go a bit as well. Maybe a bit unfashionable at times on PH but just being able to use all of the performance of a car without taking the piss is still one of life's pleasures. Fast cars can feel like an examination in personal restraint at times.
Not that I'd blame the OP or anyone else for adding a little boost, just giving a bit of a devil's advocate view.
Not that I'd blame the OP or anyone else for adding a little boost, just giving a bit of a devil's advocate view.
Gad-Westy said:
I might be about to make myself very unpopular here but are the turbo and SC conversions actually all that reliable? When I've been part of the MX5 gang, forums always seemed to be filled with issues on boosted cars. Maybe I've got the wrong impression but it put me off a little as one of things that I love about MX5's is that you can just get in them and drive them without every really worrying about whether it will complete the journey. I also actually have come to appreciate the lack of outright go a bit as well. Maybe a bit unfashionable at times on PH but just being able to use all of the performance of a car without taking the piss is still one of life's pleasures. Fast cars can feel like an examination in personal restraint at times.
Not that I'd blame the OP or anyone else for adding a little boost, just giving a bit of a devil's advocate view.
Yes and no... I don't think I ever had major concerns about completing a journey, but it certainly required more frequent tinkering / adjusting / fixing niggles than my standard ones have, especially with the extra heat of trackday use. Obviously everything depends on how well a conversion is done to start with, buying an already converted car can be good or bad.Not that I'd blame the OP or anyone else for adding a little boost, just giving a bit of a devil's advocate view.
I know what you mean about the enjoying the relative lack of power as well as the simplicity and reliability though, the same reasoning is why I ended up with a standard Mk2 a few years after selling the turbo Mk1.
As I've told a few people before - I don't think I really had any more fun with the turbo than a standard one, just a different type of fun.
Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 13th December 23:38
It’s a fair question, it largely comes down to the quality of parts used and how well they have been put together. Normally I would have built my own as then I trust my own choices. Just coincidence that a mate who is far more capable than me and with deeper pockets decided to sell his father son project just when I was looking for another car. It’s so understressed with the power it’s making currently and done with top drawer parts it should be pretty solid. I doubt I’ll track it but I do give my cars some stick fairly often and it’s been mechanically sound so far. I could see issues arising if you are trying to max out a cheaper setup or smaller turbo, td04, t25 etc.
There’s no avoiding the fact that the turbo isn’t something you can ignore, it defines the driving experience. Elephant in the room if you want. I’ve had a standard 5 before and they have a great character and innocent charm about them. Don’t think mine could be called innocent anymore, it’s about as subtle as a punch in the face but it’s a different type of car and a different type of fun. I try and remember it’s a 27 year old car and bordering on classic status so try and drive it accodingly with some hoonage when suitable.
A lot of the issues will be self inflicted on turbo mx5’s I’d dare say as they are the sort of car if you own one you are probably going. Be giving it some abuse sometimes and any car will give you issues then. They are very easy to work on so most jobs are pretty straight forward if you know a bit about working on cars.
The only turbo 5 I know that is an endless source of issues is one of my friends as he was chasing power numbers first and foremost and killed several turbos and other bits on the way.
There’s no avoiding the fact that the turbo isn’t something you can ignore, it defines the driving experience. Elephant in the room if you want. I’ve had a standard 5 before and they have a great character and innocent charm about them. Don’t think mine could be called innocent anymore, it’s about as subtle as a punch in the face but it’s a different type of car and a different type of fun. I try and remember it’s a 27 year old car and bordering on classic status so try and drive it accodingly with some hoonage when suitable.
A lot of the issues will be self inflicted on turbo mx5’s I’d dare say as they are the sort of car if you own one you are probably going. Be giving it some abuse sometimes and any car will give you issues then. They are very easy to work on so most jobs are pretty straight forward if you know a bit about working on cars.
The only turbo 5 I know that is an endless source of issues is one of my friends as he was chasing power numbers first and foremost and killed several turbos and other bits on the way.
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