RE: Driven: Mazda MX-5 BBR Cosworth

[nomisesor]

Gizmo! said:

Interesting that this was fitted to a Mk3. As noted above the Mk3 engine was supposed to be a bit weak and the Mk3.5 was strengthened...

Also interesting that BBR are doing supercharger kits now as opposed to their original turbo kits for the Mk1...

As reviewed in the "current" (February 2011) EVO. BBR turbo kit for Mk1.

http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11646

and, of course on PH http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=47&...

Supercharging is very attractive - I had a JR SC fitted on my old model Civic Type-R. Nice progressive power increase, nice whine, only other modification (though you could do lots more, most commonly de-cat for power) was a freer flowing carbon airbox with minor air-ram effect and engine mount inserts to reduce wheel hop.

Edited by nomisesor on Wednesday 29th December 20:06

[adamasbo69]

5 grand id want at least 300bhp out of it for that money, you could probably buy a 300 bhp saph cossie for 5 grand and still have ur mazda for going down the salon!!

[Jonny671]

adamasbo69 said:

5 grand id want at least 300bhp out of it for that money, you could probably buy a 300 bhp saph cossie for 5 grand and still have ur mazda for going down the salon!!

Totally different cars.

[Olivera]

I really like the look of this. Power to weight is now roughly the same as an Elise 111R for a lot less cash. Early Mk3 2.0 litres can be bought for around 8 grand, so 13g in total for one with this conversion sounds good to me.

[KM666]

sorry for sounding nieve but would it not be left a bit wanting on the brake, suspension and tyre front? maybe its that wheels are so big but iv noticed alot of tuned motors seem to have small disks for the power? i only did a year of engineering in college so am aware that the standard brakes would be more then upto the job of stopping 5/6 times the load asked easily but it still seems odd as surely a larger disk gives better feel anyway?

[Jonny671]

KM666 said:

sorry for sounding nieve but would it not be left a bit wanting on the brake, suspension and tyre front? maybe its that wheels are so big but iv noticed alot of tuned motors seem to have small disks for the power? i only did a year of engineering in college so am aware that the standard brakes would be more then upto the job of stopping 5/6 times the load asked easily but it still seems odd as surely a larger disk gives better feel anyway?

One thing I noticed about the MK3 is the brakes are very good, and with a little lower/stiffer and a geometry set up it's very good, just abit more power needed.. So the SC should solve that.

[hornetrider]

KM666 said:

sorry for sounding nieve but would it not be left a bit wanting on the brake, suspension and tyre front? maybe its that wheels are so big but iv noticed alot of tuned motors seem to have small disks for the power? i only did a year of engineering in college so am aware that the standard brakes would be more then upto the job of stopping 5/6 times the load asked easily but it still seems odd as surely a larger disk gives better feel anyway?

Point taken but upgrades not really needed.

Tyres are 205/40/17 and it's difficult to get them to break free in the dry, there really is a lot of grip.

The Sport had Bilstein dampers and although it's quite high as standard the Mazda optional Eibach sport springs firm up the suspension and lower the car 30mm.

The brakes on the Mark 3 really are very good indeed. There is a lot of feel and combined with the RE050s give a lot of stopping power when you stomp on them.

For track work it might be a different matter of course, but on the road the setup would be more than adequate.

[MonteV]

hornetrider said:

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

I agree. For example, what kind of supercharger is it? What's the boost? Any changes to the engine internals? Expected mileage before rebuild. At least those are some of the details I'd like to know.

Edited by MonteV on Thursday 30th December 08:53

[thinfourth2]

Am i the only one who read it as a BDR cosworth and was hoping some nutter had dropped a BDR engine in a MX5

[VladD]

adamasbo69 said:

5 grand id want at least 300bhp out of it for that money, you could probably buy a 300 bhp saph cossie for 5 grand and still have ur mazda for going down the salon!!

Says the man with a front wheel drive French hatchback.

[jayfish]

MonteV said:

hornetrider said:

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

I agree. For example, what kind of supercharger is it? What's the boost? Any changes to the engine internals? Expected mileage before rebuild. At least those are some of the details I'd like to know.

Edited by MonteV on Thursday 30th December 08:53

The article states both the 'charger type and that everything else is factory.

[Don Phil]

jayfish said:

MonteV said:

hornetrider said:

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

I agree. For example, what kind of supercharger is it? What's the boost? Any changes to the engine internals? Expected mileage before rebuild. At least those are some of the details I'd like to know.

Edited by MonteV on Thursday 30th December 08:53

The article states both the 'charger type and that everything else is factory.

Tiny bit more info from BBR's website here: http://www.bbrgti.com/product_details.php?id=11649...

Still think its a little bit pricey, but if its going to be reliable for a good few years it could be a good fun investment, which you'd get a bit of return on when you sell the car (obviously not all £5k but still...)

[R8FUN]

In a few days time it will be 6K including VAT!!
I need a test drive before I commit.

Paul.

[soad]

I think that's fantastic. Cost might seem a bit steep though, unless one has some spare funds for it.

[Don Phil]

Bit of googling finds a rolling road printout:

[Herman Toothrot]

I don't know why people think it's expensive for such a gain. Most turbo and supercharger turn key solutions are this much or more. Of course you can buy other parts and build a kit diy but chances are it won't be as good, will involve 2nd hand parts, loads of time making it work etc. The kits that add the best part if 100bhp to mx5's have always been about £5k, only the 30bhp, engine not last long kits are cheap at about £2k.

[Marf]

Herman Toothrot said:

I don't know why people think it's expensive for such a gain.

Because they have bugger all experience in modifying cars.

[The real Apache]

Marf said:

Herman Toothrot said:

I don't know why people think it's expensive for such a gain.

Because they have bugger all experience in modifying cars.

[Atom 3]

Always liked the MX5's but felt they lacked power. This solves that & for the overall price of a s/h MX5 & conversion I reckon it's good value for money

[steveti]

adamasbo69 said:

5 grand id want at least 300bhp out of it for that money, you could probably buy a 300 bhp saph cossie for 5 grand and still have ur mazda for going down the salon!!

Yawn, yawn, yawn! Old and tired comments, became boring a long time ago! BTW how old would the Cossie Saph actually be? Yeah OLD and boring. Oh yeah and how much would it weigh, oh yeah and it's a saloon car. Ya just can't compare and truthfully who'd want to?