Flyin' Miata Twincharged MX-5 in development
What to do when a turbo'd MX-5 isn't enough? Add a supercharger too!
Now the Colorado-based tuners are working on something new (and very exciting) for the MX-5: a twincharged car. Yep, like a Lancia Delta Integrale S4 - and the Mk5 Golf GT... but let's focus on the Lancia. So that means a supercharger and a turbocharger, promising all manner of mad forced induction gains. Remember a BBR turbo is already taking an MX-5 to comfortably over 200hp, with a commensurate increase in torque; Road & Track is saying that the turbo alone could be capable of 350hp, so with a supercharger added on...
It hasn't yet been confirmed whether Flyin' Miata will offer the package as one twincharged unit with all the associated ancillaries. However, for intrepid tuners the turbo and the supercharger are both available from its website now. Would make a good Readers' Cars thread...
Given this is apparently the world's first twincharged Mk4 MX-5, you would hope that the guys at Flyin' Miata pursue the build and offer a complete package. Then it could be driven. And there would be more coverage, hopefully from PH... 400hp should suit, right lads?
[Sources: Carscoops, Road&Track, Flyin' Miata]
I can only imagine the overall cost of this conversion, too. I think what i'm saying is, for me, having one with forced induction would be more than enough. Fair enough, others may not be the same, but then again, if that's the case, wouldn't buying a completely different car be a better bet?
I can only imagine the overall cost of this conversion, too. I think what i'm saying is, for me, having one with forced induction would be more than enough. Fair enough, others may not be the same, but then again, if that's the case, wouldn't buying a completely different car be a better bet?
What are the downsides?
(my MX5 used to be supercharged, by the way, loved it)
What are the downsides?
The downsides in the past has been over-complication. VW are fully aware of this, as has already been stated by someone else. The twin-charged 1.4 TSI unit used in the Scirocco/Polo GTI is the main example.
Sometimes, twin-charging doesn't quite work the way it should. However, that's more hear-say. I remember a few reviews stating that the engine in the Scirocco didn't really feel like it was doing what it should on paper.
Be interesting to see the finished article, but I’m not sure what the goal is. Modern turbo chargers can do big power with little lag which seems to make the idea of twin charging a bit redundant. Interesting project nonetheless.
Which reminds me. I was down at Skuzzle Motorsport the other day and he was mapping a car built by a customer. 280whp at 11psi of boost and 7,500rpm. Sounds good right? The set up can run 30psi of boost and 9,000rpm but it’s turned down for reliability. The general consensus was it could probably see 400whp+ with the wick turned up. Mental.
Those rascals at Davefab already have a 370hp MX5 using a EFR turbo which by all accounts its pretty much lag free. https://davefab.com/shop/mx5-t25-turbo-manifold/
I’m guessing the FM guys are using a Rotrex SC as the packaging is a lot smaller than the Eaton in mine.
Their success suggests that there is a decent part of MX5 owners demographic that very much is 'in it for outright speed'
I miss my MK1
Those rascals at Davefab already have a 370hp MX5 using a EFR turbo which by all accounts its pretty much lag free. https://davefab.com/shop/mx5-t25-turbo-manifold/
I’m guessing the FM guys are using a Rotrex SC as the packaging is a lot smaller than the Eaton in mine.
The Polestar 2.0 litre V60/S60 is the only other twincharger I can think of beyond the 1.4TSI from VW.
Plus the Lancia Delta S4 had a "Stradale" road car version with a supercharger and turbocharger.
Good luck with that.
If you want the 400 hp top end then the turbo will be too big for it to get going sub 3,000 rpm. Porsche used variable vane turbos which is what the diesels do but it is hard to get them to survive petrol temperatures. Adding second turbo or a supercharger makes sense and a supercharger gives better off boost response so is the better choice. I did size it up about 10 years ago and talk about it on miatapower where the FM crew (Bill, Keith and Corky before they fell out) hang out.. sure there are a hand full out there already but I guess I have been out of it for 5 years now.
The issue I have would be the stiffness of the body shell as that is the power limiter here. A Mk1 with all the braces bar roll bar and door bars is a pretty floppy thing. Different horses for courses but a stonking V8 with a high rpm has to tick the boxes - I was wonder about the Volvo one when it came out and Noble proved that was a nice idea. The Lexus V8 is nice way too.
Normal service will resume .. back to hairdressing quips for the rest of you.
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