Earning my petrolhead stripes...
Discussion
Went to school just around the corner from BBR and know them through a friend who worked for them for a number of years before joining the army. Was great to see what they were coming up with at lunchtime watching everything from full fat Sierra and Escort Cosworths to mental Minis and MX-5s peel out of the car park!
Gave the car a quick wash and went out for a drive this afternoon with the Mrs. She really enjoyed it so that's a positive step! 
She freaked out on the first hard throttle gear change though, thought the turbo noises was the engine destroying itself!! Frickin love the sounds this car makes
She freaked out on the first hard throttle gear change though, thought the turbo noises was the engine destroying itself!! Frickin love the sounds this car makes
no wonder you're enjoying it!!For comparison, my mp62 supercharged 1.8 is 178 rwhp with peak of 155 lbft. Torque curve is very much the same as the original unboosted car, just higher up. I'll dig out the printout if your interested.
I'm only running 6 psi at the moment, stock pulleys etc. Fast enough for me and turn key reliable.
Cheers,
Drew.
I'm only running 6 psi at the moment, stock pulleys etc. Fast enough for me and turn key reliable.
Cheers,
Drew.
drewwa said:
For comparison, my mp62 supercharged 1.8 is 178 rwhp with peak of 155 lbft. Torque curve is very much the same as the original unboosted car, just higher up. I'll dig out the printout if your interested.
I'm only running 6 psi at the moment, stock pulleys etc. Fast enough for me and turn key reliable.
Cheers,
Drew.
Cheers Drew, very interesting and I'm sure that drives really nicely with the linear pull of the charger. I know what you mean about reliability - once the clutch is on, I'm torn as to whether to eke out that extra bhp or leave it as is. I've bought the actuator, so will probably end up going for more! I'm only running 6 psi at the moment, stock pulleys etc. Fast enough for me and turn key reliable.
Cheers,
Drew.
A supercharged something is on my list, and I'm starting to think it might be an idea to try and tick the lot off the list just with MX5's... must be doable
As this project is nearing its conclusion, I am starting to get that itchy brain feeling of do I keep it or do I sell it, and what's next? A V8 is high up the list. And I still want that 2zz swapped MR2, but it doesn't really complete anything on the list for me. A sequential 2zz MR2 would be good!! Hmm, decisions decisions...
trails said:
Great thread, you must be well pleased with those figures...how long until you forge the bottom end and go nuts?
Thank you! Yes I am over the moon. Honestly didn't expect it to go that well, and with more in the bag too!Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
BeerBaconBoost said:
Thank you! Yes I am over the moon. Honestly didn't expect it to go that well, and with more in the bag too!
Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
Do you need another thread for that build? Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
Having hung around a lot of boosted mx-5 owners in my time, chatting at meets and the like, there seems to be something of a consensus that 200-250 bhp at the flywheel is a 'sweet spot' for the early mx-5s.
Below that they need a bit more oomph, above that and you require a lot more tweaking, fettling and upgrades to make use of the additional power, reliability tends to noticeably drop, and, in hindsight, you might be better off buying a faster base car in the first place.
At 250 bhp you're at the limits of the stock engine in terms of reliability and you've already got a high 5s, low 6s car which will embarrass most 'ordinary' stuff on the road, you've got all the factory sublime handing and a car that's cheap as chips to run and maintain. The car will only owe you a few grand at that point and it will last forever if you change the oil regularly.
Cheers,
Drew.
Below that they need a bit more oomph, above that and you require a lot more tweaking, fettling and upgrades to make use of the additional power, reliability tends to noticeably drop, and, in hindsight, you might be better off buying a faster base car in the first place.
At 250 bhp you're at the limits of the stock engine in terms of reliability and you've already got a high 5s, low 6s car which will embarrass most 'ordinary' stuff on the road, you've got all the factory sublime handing and a car that's cheap as chips to run and maintain. The car will only owe you a few grand at that point and it will last forever if you change the oil regularly.
Cheers,
Drew.
trails said:
BeerBaconBoost said:
Thank you! Yes I am over the moon. Honestly didn't expect it to go that well, and with more in the bag too!
Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
Do you need another thread for that build? Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
BeerBaconBoost said:
trails said:
BeerBaconBoost said:
Thank you! Yes I am over the moon. Honestly didn't expect it to go that well, and with more in the bag too!
Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
Do you need another thread for that build? Hmm, now that's a very good question - probably won't do it on this engine, but if a spare comes up cheap enough it would be rude not to! I currently have a Vauxhall C20XE awaiting rebuild in the garage, so perhaps after that...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
Great news, clutch is in!
This was a bit of a beast of a job, but with my pal Martin at MH Autos on the tools he made it look easy.
Gearbox cleaned and ready to go back in:
Actually that was about half way through cleaning, did a better job than that in the end!
New clutch in:
First drive out and it was a bit juddery in first gear, but great everywhere else. You can feel a real 'snap' as the clutch engages and throws the power to the rear wheels - I can already tell this is going to make a big difference, and I think it'll be great for sprint launches.
Now we're into the agonising running in period. Keeping it below 3k rpm and being very gentle and conscious through all gear changes. It's actually quite a good process to slow everything down and review my technique, being more thoughtful with heel and toe. Also had a play with clutchless shifts on the drive home last night and it works really well.
25 miles down, 275 to go...
And the final piece of news from me is that the new actuator has arrived, one of China's finest. Went for one with replaced spring options just in case that forged engine silliness ever happens! Will get this, along with a replacement cas o ring, fitted at the weekend.
This was a bit of a beast of a job, but with my pal Martin at MH Autos on the tools he made it look easy.
Gearbox cleaned and ready to go back in:
Actually that was about half way through cleaning, did a better job than that in the end!
New clutch in:
First drive out and it was a bit juddery in first gear, but great everywhere else. You can feel a real 'snap' as the clutch engages and throws the power to the rear wheels - I can already tell this is going to make a big difference, and I think it'll be great for sprint launches.
Now we're into the agonising running in period. Keeping it below 3k rpm and being very gentle and conscious through all gear changes. It's actually quite a good process to slow everything down and review my technique, being more thoughtful with heel and toe. Also had a play with clutchless shifts on the drive home last night and it works really well.
25 miles down, 275 to go...
And the final piece of news from me is that the new actuator has arrived, one of China's finest. Went for one with replaced spring options just in case that forged engine silliness ever happens! Will get this, along with a replacement cas o ring, fitted at the weekend.
100 miles down, 200 to go... Who knew it would be so hard to find the time to put miles on the clutch?!
Whole operation is much better now, the judder has all but gone and and feels very oem in use - massive thanks to BC Motorparts for their support and recommendation!
In other news, bought a torsen 4.1 diff for £250, which I collected today. No rush to fit that but would be nice to have it on for the cars' first track outing.
MOT on Monday and then new tyres will be fitted. The current T1R have loads of tread left, buy they're frankly crap. Have gone for some of these bad boys, no idea what they'll be like but they're cheap enough for a punt. Will report back if anyone is interested...
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s662p165218/Accele...
Whole operation is much better now, the judder has all but gone and and feels very oem in use - massive thanks to BC Motorparts for their support and recommendation!
In other news, bought a torsen 4.1 diff for £250, which I collected today. No rush to fit that but would be nice to have it on for the cars' first track outing.
MOT on Monday and then new tyres will be fitted. The current T1R have loads of tread left, buy they're frankly crap. Have gone for some of these bad boys, no idea what they'll be like but they're cheap enough for a punt. Will report back if anyone is interested...
https://www.camskill.co.uk/m12b0s662p165218/Accele...
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