MX5 to... what?! £5-7k

[300bhp/ton]

Captain Muppet said:

I turbod my MX5 for £500 over a weekend. I borrowed a barn to do it in, but I could have done it in the street over a sunny weekend (like I did with my gearbox swap, which was harder than fitting the turbo).

If it ever dies I'll sell the turbo kit on for the same money. It's not only the most performance per £ mod I've ever done, but it's depreciation proof too. Money very well spent.

Curious, but how feasible/likely is it for others to do the same on the same budget? What components do you need for a successful conversion and what bits did you use?

Thanks.

[The Flying Ox]

cocopop said:

If you're considering an RX8, you have to consider an RX7. And if you can insure an import Supra for less than £1200, then an RX7 shouldn't be out of the question.

For what it's worth, my RX7 was more reliable than my Supra. It was more reliable than all my MX5s as well.

So much this. Obviously biased, but it's the greatest car I've ever driven. Owned a few Jap turbos, an MX5 and driven an RX8. The RX7 is head and shoulders above any of them for a) overall driving experience, and b) outright feeling of power. So far, it's not costing me a small fortune either. Get one with a recent compression test in the high 7s or above and you'll be laughing.

[roscopervis]

Lots of good choices and from that list I'd go 350z. Also, at 5k you would be scraping the 350z barrel, but at 7k you can pick up very nice low mileage GT examples of the 276 engine version. There are quite a few about

A curve ball perhaps, but if the 330ci is on your list, have you considered an Alpina B3 3.3? 280 bhp so a decent bit faster than the 330, but using many of the same parts as the 330 so keeping running costs down, rather than the bespoke M3 parts prices. Very nice cars to drive and the SMG box in the Alpina is better than that in the 330.

[Captain Muppet]

300bhp/ton said:

Captain Muppet said:

I turbod my MX5 for £500 over a weekend. I borrowed a barn to do it in, but I could have done it in the street over a sunny weekend (like I did with my gearbox swap, which was harder than fitting the turbo).

If it ever dies I'll sell the turbo kit on for the same money. It's not only the most performance per £ mod I've ever done, but it's depreciation proof too. Money very well spent.

Curious, but how feasible/likely is it for others to do the same on the same budget? What components do you need for a successful conversion and what bits did you use?

Thanks.

£500 bought most of a Greddy turbo kit, and I've seen other kits go for the same money. The parts that were missing from my kit were the oil feed, cross-over pipe and inlet pipe. The oil feed adapter I got by taking the oil plug out of the block and in to my local cars spares place. The cross-over pipe I could have bodged with a bit of ally tube, but instead I used an intercooler I found in the boot of an old Silvia I bought and intercooled my car for free. I also had to knock up a bracket for the AFM so I could have it on the front of the turbo to simplify pipe routings. The WOT breather I ran to atmosphere via a catch can (a Sunny Delight bottle that was blown in to the car park outside my house) because I didn't have room to plumb it in before the turbo. Zero oil carry-over, but then there wouldn't be.

The bits I wouldn't have been able to bodge were the exhaust manifold and down pipe to suit the turbo, as my welding is dreadful. If you can find a manifold, turbo and down pipe then everything else is pretty easy and can be bodged for next to nothing. The Greddy instructions I found though Google, and that gave me a list of parts to work to and instructions that would be helpful to anyone doing something similar.

I set the wastegate to 6psi using a footpump and a boost gauge, so there was no tweaking hot bits of engine after the installation. I retarded the ignition to whatever it said in the Greddy instuctions and then bolted on an AFPR. Job done.

Other than a small fire as the result of using a bit of pipe from a skip for an oil drain hose (bad component to try to save money on) it's been faultless for four years or so.

[Captain Muppet]

The Flying Ox said:

cocopop said:

If you're considering an RX8, you have to consider an RX7. And if you can insure an import Supra for less than £1200, then an RX7 shouldn't be out of the question.

For what it's worth, my RX7 was more reliable than my Supra. It was more reliable than all my MX5s as well.

So much this. Obviously biased, but it's the greatest car I've ever driven. Owned a few Jap turbos, an MX5 and driven an RX8. The RX7 is head and shoulders above any of them for a) overall driving experience, and b) outright feeling of power. So far, it's not costing me a small fortune either. Get one with a recent compression test in the high 7s or above and you'll be laughing.

I so want an FD RX7. Please stop telling me it's a good idea.

[bicycleshorts]

Grodecki said:

Mk3 is a bulbous looking thing if you ask me, don't like it at all!

S2000 is out due to bonkers insurance. Insuring a TVR Tuscan is cheaper.

Not read whole thread, so apologies. What have you done do the mx5? Gaz coilovers and a turbo/supercharger setup could be had for around £1500... Obviously depends on insurance though.

[BrewsterBear]

968s really are wonderful machines. OK, so they're not going to tear your face off with acceleration, but they do fizz along and are supremely balanced. Great fun to drive. Look for one with belts and suspension bushes done, plus the usual. The only other area of concern would be a noisy gearbox, especially on over-run.

[Ephraim]

If his preference wasn't for 4 seats, then a RX-7 would be awesome. I don't know how expensive rotor refreshes are, or whether the requirements for them are exaggerated.

A 944 is a great choice. I loved mine, but the 4 seats were really only 2 and some luggage space. I did manage to get 4 of us and weekend festival gear into it, but the passengers had less room than battery chickens, and I was unable to use the even numbered gears.

As for rx8 rebuilders in the southwest, I don't know, but ask on the UK owners club and they'll surely know.

[The Flying Ox]

Captain Muppet said:

The Flying Ox said:

cocopop said:

If you're considering an RX8, you have to consider an RX7. And if you can insure an import Supra for less than £1200, then an RX7 shouldn't be out of the question.

For what it's worth, my RX7 was more reliable than my Supra. It was more reliable than all my MX5s as well.

So much this. Obviously biased, but it's the greatest car I've ever driven. Owned a few Jap turbos, an MX5 and driven an RX8. The RX7 is head and shoulders above any of them for a) overall driving experience, and b) outright feeling of power. So far, it's not costing me a small fortune either. Get one with a recent compression test in the high 7s or above and you'll be laughing.

I so want an FD RX7. Please stop telling me it's a good idea.

But it *is* a good idea!

[ApexJimi]

Why are S2K's so expensive to insure?

Is it because a lot of them have been stacked?

[300bhp/ton]

Captain Muppet said:

£500 bought most of a Greddy turbo kit, and I've seen other kits go for the same money. The parts that were missing from my kit were the oil feed, cross-over pipe and inlet pipe. The oil feed adapter I got by taking the oil plug out of the block and in to my local cars spares place. The cross-over pipe I could have bodged with a bit of ally tube, but instead I used an intercooler I found in the boot of an old Silvia I bought and intercooled my car for free. I also had to knock up a bracket for the AFM so I could have it on the front of the turbo to simplify pipe routings. The WOT breather I ran to atmosphere via a catch can (a Sunny Delight bottle that was blown in to the car park outside my house) because I didn't have room to plumb it in before the turbo. Zero oil carry-over, but then there wouldn't be.

The bits I wouldn't have been able to bodge were the exhaust manifold and down pipe to suit the turbo, as my welding is dreadful. If you can find a manifold, turbo and down pipe then everything else is pretty easy and can be bodged for next to nothing. The Greddy instructions I found though Google, and that gave me a list of parts to work to and instructions that would be helpful to anyone doing something similar.

I set the wastegate to 6psi using a footpump and a boost gauge, so there was no tweaking hot bits of engine after the installation. I retarded the ignition to whatever it said in the Greddy instuctions and then bolted on an AFPR. Job done.

Other than a small fire as the result of using a bit of pipe from a skip for an oil drain hose (bad component to try to save money on) it's been faultless for four years or so.

Thanks, very informative

(op - take note )

[Eighteeteewhy]

300bhp/ton said:

Is it a logical step though? I'm not sure I can the logic. The S2k looks appeal less, it doesn't handle as well and isn't as well balanced, is heavier, bigger on the outside, but offers no more room or ability.

The only thing it brings to the table is more power (although you could mod an MX-5) and slightly better mpg.

Not saying it's wrong to go to one and I quite like the S2k personally. But I just can't see the logic. I'd have thought changing to something quite different or modding the MX-5 would be a more logical progression.

I think it is quite logical, if you are looking for a similar experience. Roofless, two seater with a revvy engine. It may not handle as well or feel as good(what does?) the S2K is a grown up MX5.
If you're looking for something different then I agree it's not the right car.

[americancrx]

I'm not sure why the conversation veered away from the Elise, which is the best car being discussed here.

Running costs will be down in the MX5 bracket, and it's faster up to 80 or 90 than most other equipment under consideration.

[Daggers89]

Introduce your '5 to forced induction. Save the rest for fuel/tyres!
/thread

[Dusty964]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3998039.htm

Or an Élan.

Get away from mainstream motoring and into something with some character

[topless_mx5]

crispyshark said:

Appreciate you want 'a change' but have you considered taking the mk1 to BBR for a full turbo conversion and suspension setup.....honestly i think it's worth considering for circa £2,500.
You get the car you love but with a serious amount of power to make it fun and it will see off most of the cars you've been discussing above but maintaining the air of a 'sleeper'

TBH, if the BBR offering had been around when i swapped my 1.6 S special for an S2000 i probably would've gone with the conversion! For me personally it was the looks of the S2000 that did it (plus the gearbox and engine) and it was my fantasy car from 16!

I thought the official BBR conversion was £5k fitted? See http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11646

I'd be seriously tempted at £2,500

[LiamM45]

After going in one over the weekend, I would highly recommend a Nissan 200SX, this one was an S15 but it seems much like a facelifted S14a. Such a fun car and you would get a mint S14a with money to spend on tuning/insurance/enjoying the car. Values seem to be going up too.

Or another Datsun - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4026912.htm

[crispyshark]

topless_mx5 said:

crispyshark said:

Appreciate you want 'a change' but have you considered taking the mk1 to BBR for a full turbo conversion and suspension setup.....honestly i think it's worth considering for circa £2,500.
You get the car you love but with a serious amount of power to make it fun and it will see off most of the cars you've been discussing above but maintaining the air of a 'sleeper'

TBH, if the BBR offering had been around when i swapped my 1.6 S special for an S2000 i probably would've gone with the conversion! For me personally it was the looks of the S2000 that did it (plus the gearbox and engine) and it was my fantasy car from 16!

I thought the official BBR conversion was £5k fitted? See http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11646

I'd be seriously tempted at £2,500

I was quoting from my bad memory! Still I think it looks good!

[topless_mx5]

crispyshark said:

I was quoting from my bad memory! Still I think it looks good!

I can't think of many better cars, even at £7k for the full kit. Enough pace to keep with some serious motors on a twisty road, reliability, low running costs, and all the fun that comes with a drop top with no ABS or Traction Control

[mike9009]

I don't think anyone has mentioned one yet, but I would highly recommend a VX220 NA. Different experience to an MX5, brisker acceleration, lovely feel through the steering wheel, cheaper than an Elise, cheaper insurance, more robust engine, an event to drive, stunning looks (subjective, I accept!), good mpg, easy to work on DIY, good owners forum with much support.

Only thing is your budget will buy either an early ropey one or potentially a cat D. TBH, if you can find the owner of a Cat D (owners forum can help), they may have just had the clams replaced (so not major damage, but major expense and enough to write it off)

Sorry to muddy your waters further - but I would dearly love another. I sold my MX5 this week and don't miss that, but sold my vx220 8 years ago and still miss it!

Mike