NC MX5 - BBR Stage 2 Turbo

[ECG1000]

A long awaited scratch of an itch. Always wanted an MX5 but one with more power.

Found for sale (almost) at BBR complete with:
- BBR Stage 2 Turbo
- BBR full exhaust system
- Koni/BBR dampers/springs
- BBR adjustable ARBs
- EBC Yellow Stuff pads
- EBC grooved Discs

I spotted a red Kuro edition (also stage 2) for sale on BBR's website a few weeks ago. Was disappointed when I rang to find a deposit had just been taken. The disappointment didn't last long as I was told they had a white one about to go up for sale too.

I rushed down the next day for a test drive and stuck a deposit down on the promise BBR would swap the standard brake consumables for something decent and bin the standard ARBs for BBR's own.


When I picked it up:

The eagle eyed amongst you will spot Dan Trent's Eunos in the back ground...


As soon as I got it up the M1, I stuck on some 17x7.5 Japan Racing JR7 wheels, shod with Eagle F1's. I'm too tight to buy proper Enkei's...





Much better:



I drove it too and from work for a few days and didn't get on with it that well....
I couldn't get used to the way it pitches and leans. I think my mind was subconsciously telling me I was in my Caterham (open top, low, noisy, quick etc) so naturally it felt weird and wobbly.
This was only based on my boring commute roads. So last weekend, I took it up to North Yorkshire for a proper test.

Long story short, I've fallen for the car. The suspension just works so well on a bumpy and twisty b-road. It does a good job of ironing out the tarmac so you can concentrate on making rapid progress. For me it takes a different approach to what I'm used to. I feel you can't just throw it into a corner - you've got to get the car pitched over on its outside wheels momentarily, then turn in. Very satisfying when you get it right. The softness I was previously complaining about works in the car's favour when you're used to it!
Then there's the turbo power which keeps you flowing nicely - not forgetting to mention it sounds like a jet at full chat! I'd quite like to have a go in an NA car to see how the experience differs/compares.

I still wanted to know how it handled with some adjustment to the ARBs. So when I got back, I set them to full stiff all round. They were previously set to full soft at the front (out of 2 holes) and the middle setting (3 holes) at the rear. Only been out for a quick blast like this and the car feels a bit more pointy. Needs further testing but have a feeling I'll soften the front off again and leave the rear at full stiff.

One of my favourite roads in North Yorkshire. Not telling where it is but I'd imagine a few will guess correctly...



Love these wheels. I was annoyed when I couldn't get them in bronze but have really warmed to the silver now - nice and subtle.



Perfect line up?



Pain in the knee

Does anyone know what I can get to stop the door speaker digging into my knee? I've stuck a thin foam pad there which has helped a little. Could do with something more substantial.


Further plans:
-Track days (will probably wait until the Caterham is tucked up for winter)
-Recaro Pole positions (sit too high at the moment).
-Some sort of front splitter/lower bumper cover (in a bid to make the car look meaner).
-Adjust exhaust tips (previous owner set them up to be poking out the bumper like wheelbarrow handles)
-Chassis bracing
-Ducktail spoiler (maybe...)
-Underseal (booked into Deepcar)
-Rid the tail lights of their Lexus-ness

Otherwise, I'll be using it for blasts through the countryside getting to learn the car.

Edited by ECG1000 on Friday 13th July 14:26

[geeks]

Each to their own but I think those wheels are awful!

However the BBR stuff is great, I used to go to school just round the corner and a mate and I used to walk down there at lunch and watch/be nosey with what they had in at the time, alot of Cosworth and Lotus Elises' at the time.

[anonymous-user]

Much preferred the original wheels, sorry! But then the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same thing.
What's the power output of a turbo conversion? How is the power delivered? Smooth or in one big lump?

[Daniel1]

I like that a lot.

[anonymous-user]

Gorgeous car and I like both sets of wheels so there

[Hammy98]

Spotted the red one for sale on BBRs website the other week - looked lovely, as does yours!

[ManicMunky]

Classic Jap wheel there! Love it

[ManOpener]

I like the RPF-1 replicas aesthetically, hopefully they're substantially lighter than the OEM wheels (unlike most copies)!

[ben5575]

Lovely.

I've been spending a fair amount of time on the BBR website this past week or so including looking at the cars for sale.

I went mk1 bbr turbo 20 years ago through several ever faster caterhams. I'm sports carless at the moment and I really quite fancy building up a ND.

Do you still have the se7en? Will you be keeping it now you have this? I got to the point where the caterham was too much of a chore to spend time with (cage/harness etc) - a bit like bikers who get sick of getting dressed up to go out. I missed the throw the hood down simplicity and comfort of a quick mx5. Be interested on your thoughts.

And I love the wheels.

[fido]

Nice. I’m tempted to get mine done as well but expect the OH to tell me it’s a waste of money etc. How is the new clutch? Does it feel the same as an OEM one?

[Alias218]

That looks fantastic. What does the upgrade consist of?

Love the wheels too - I was mulling over Enkei RPF1s for my 350Z, but it already has forged RAYS so would probably be a downgrade in actuality.

[Accelebrate]

Love it! Wheels included. The turbo must be a lot of fun. I’m resisting a trip to BBR, although my budget will only stretch to a remap and manifold.

[kin quick]

I think that looks great, wheels included!

I recently bought a 2007 NC with the BBR supercharger, my first ever Mx5, I didn't realise just how much fun they are, loving it!

Keep the thread updated, very interested in what you have planned as I want to go down a similar route with mine.

[ECG1000]

Thank you for all the comments!

No offence taken to those who aren't a fan of the wheels. Each to their own and all that...

Mac. said:

What's the power output of a turbo conversion? How is the power delivered? Smooth or in one big lump?

306bhp according to the dyno printout. The power delivery is fairly smooth to be honest - definitely not in one big lump. The unmistakable turbo swooping sensation is there but is easily manageable when you're going for it.

ManOpener said:

I like the RPF-1 replicas aesthetically, hopefully they're substantially lighter than the OEM wheels (unlike most copies)!

I can't give you any figures but can say they are lighter than OEM. When holding one wheel in either hand, this was quite obvious.
Driftworks (where I bought them) run Japan Racing on their drift cars. The chap on the phone tells me they're a good strong wheel that have stood up to a fair amount of abuse on track.
Time will tell whether this was salesman chat or not.

ben5575 said:

Do you still have the se7en? Will you be keeping it now you have this?

Yep, still got the Caterham. I can't see myself getting rid to be honest. For me, there's nothing (for sensible-ish) money that comes close to providing the same experience you get behind the wheel of a Seven. It makes most cars feel like a boat if you drive them back to back.

Will be interested to hear about an ND (plus upgrades) if you got one. What's stopping you?

fido said:

Nice. I’m tempted to get mine done as well but expect the OH to tell me it’s a waste of money etc. How is the new clutch? Does it feel the same as an OEM one?

Get it done, you only live once.

I bought the car like this so can't comment on the clutch from a before/after point of view.
It seems fairly manageable though - can't really complain. There's a bit of chatter at low speeds/revs but otherwise it all feels fairly OEM.

Alias218 said:

That looks fantastic. What does the upgrade consist of?

Thanks!

Have a look here for details: http://www.bbrgti.com/product/bbr-stage-two-mazda-...

Accelebrate said:

Love it! Wheels included. The turbo must be a lot of fun. I’m resisting a trip to BBR, although my budget will only stretch to a remap and manifold.

Thank you!

Have a look at the BBR 225 upgrade. I bet that would be a lot of fun.

kin quick said:

I think that looks great, wheels included!

I recently bought a 2007 NC with the BBR supercharger, my first ever Mx5, I didn't realise just how much fun they are, loving it!

Keep the thread updated, very interested in what you have planned as I want to go down a similar route with mine.

Awesome, have you got a thread for it on here?

Would love to try a supercharged one.

Edited by ECG1000 on Tuesday 17th July 12:46

[ECG1000]

Sprayed the tail lights last week using e-tech spray.



I've also ordered a subtle ducktail spoiler. Just need some kind of splitter to match now. Hard to find one for NC2...

[e30m3Mark]

I like that very much. Especially in white. I'd fit anthracite Compomotive TH if it were mine.

I bet it hustles along nicely with 300+ brake?

I worked at Mazda UK and drove BBR's original development car. It was so much fun, although hitting one of Staplehurst's hump back bridges a bit too quickly almost meant it being written off. Certainly gave the suspension a work out anyway.

Off to have a nose at BBR website.

[ECG1000]

e30m3Mark said:

I like that very much. Especially in white. I'd fit anthracite Compomotive TH if it were mine.

I bet it hustles along nicely with 300+ brake?

I worked at Mazda UK and drove BBR's original development car. It was so much fun, although hitting one of Staplehurst's hump back bridges a bit too quickly almost meant it being written off. Certainly gave the suspension a work out anyway.

Off to have a nose at BBR website.

Interesting, never considered that wheel for an MX5 - got me thinking now. Might work well for winter.

Yeah, it goes really well. You can cover ground very quickly once into a flow.

I'd love to try a properly sorted MK1. Bet that little altercation with the bridge got you into a bit of trouble...

[5er]

Liking this a lot.

I also have an NC (3.75) and absolutely love it. I wish I'd got into MX5's years ago.

Have you looked at Garage Vary for your lips and spoilers? They so NC3 stuff and I'm almost certain they do NC2 bits too.



Interested to see where you go regarding the spoiler, I fancy one for mine but probably just a small lip type one. I'd like to change my rear lights too as I don't like the semi Lexus lights type appearance, but I can't find a decent looking after market lense. Seeing what you've done, I'll consider painting.



I really need to pull my finger out and get mine Super 200 converted.


I like the look of your wheels, although I'm not a fan of reps. Great looking wheel all the same tho.

[ECG1000]

5er said:

Liking this a lot.

I also have an NC (3.75) and absolutely love it. I wish I'd got into MX5's years ago.

Have you looked at Garage Vary for your lips and spoilers? They so NC3 stuff and I'm almost certain they do NC2 bits too.



Interested to see where you go regarding the spoiler, I fancy one for mine but probably just a small lip type one. I'd like to change my rear lights too as I don't like the semi Lexus lights type appearance, but I can't find a decent looking after market lense. Seeing what you've done, I'll consider painting.



I really need to pull my finger out and get mine Super 200 converted.


I like the look of your wheels, although I'm not a fan of reps. Great looking wheel all the same tho.

Thanks for the kind words.

I've looked at Garage Vary stuff - awesome but seems expensive!
The ducktail spoiler I found on CarbonMiata's eBay page. I've since cancelled it...got cold feet. I think I need to spend more time thinking about what direction I want to go in first.

I bet the Super 200 conversion is great. Although I'd always be tempted into the 225 from there...

I'm not a fan of replica wheels either. Mine are Enkei look-a-likes but are made by an established brand so wouldn't consider them full reps.
I had a set of Rota Titans on my last car which are a Wedssport TC105N look-a-like. With Rota being a well known brand as well, I didn't consider them reps either.
That's what I'll keep telling myself anyway

[ECG1000]

This wouldn't be my car without the obligatory PH sticker...