Mx5 Ginger with boost
Discussion
I'm a big Mx5 fan, this is my 5th one, I've pretty much had one as a constant with other cars for 15 years. I've had 2x supercharged ones, a previous turbo & a normally aspirated.
All were Mk1s, I was thinking Mk2 or preferably a Mk3 & I fancied a turbo as a clubsport type road & track toy, as I had dedicated track cars I hardly used as I don't track hugely now.
I spotted this for sale on PH, the spec seemed spot on so I bought it.
Jewish racing gold mk2 1.8 S UK model - standard block with 86k, only been boosted for 3k miles Torsen LSD
225bhp 197lbft @ Abbey Motorsport dyno (more on that later!)
TD04-13T Turbo
Sturvo Turbo Manifold + Downpipe (more on this later!)
Mega Squirt 2
Denzo Yellow 425cc Injectors
Large Aluminum Radiator
Front Mount Intercooler
Mocal 13 Row Oil Cooler
Coolant Re-Route
Stage 1 Flyin Miata Clutch Il Motorsports Dual Exit Back Box
Performance 5 Coilovers
Performance 5 Frame Rails
Braided Hoses and running Axxis Ult Pads
UltraLite 15' x 6.5' wheels
Project M (Vindi) Double Hoop Roll Bar
Corbeau Composite Bucket Seats )
Sabelt 5-point harness & retained seat belts for road driving
Boost, Oil Pressure & Temp Gauges
AEM Wideband Sensor Gauge
Wasn't a cheap build, over £5k spent on turboing alone, got £3k on invoices just from labour to fit & little bits at Ardler & dyno set up at Abbey motorsport.
Oh & lots and lots and lots of daft Mazda & Mazdaspeed stickers! which wont be on long!
Pics as purchaced.
All were Mk1s, I was thinking Mk2 or preferably a Mk3 & I fancied a turbo as a clubsport type road & track toy, as I had dedicated track cars I hardly used as I don't track hugely now.
I spotted this for sale on PH, the spec seemed spot on so I bought it.
Jewish racing gold mk2 1.8 S UK model - standard block with 86k, only been boosted for 3k miles Torsen LSD
225bhp 197lbft @ Abbey Motorsport dyno (more on that later!)
TD04-13T Turbo
Sturvo Turbo Manifold + Downpipe (more on this later!)
Mega Squirt 2
Denzo Yellow 425cc Injectors
Large Aluminum Radiator
Front Mount Intercooler
Mocal 13 Row Oil Cooler
Coolant Re-Route
Stage 1 Flyin Miata Clutch Il Motorsports Dual Exit Back Box
Performance 5 Coilovers
Performance 5 Frame Rails
Braided Hoses and running Axxis Ult Pads
UltraLite 15' x 6.5' wheels
Project M (Vindi) Double Hoop Roll Bar
Corbeau Composite Bucket Seats )
Sabelt 5-point harness & retained seat belts for road driving
Boost, Oil Pressure & Temp Gauges
AEM Wideband Sensor Gauge
Wasn't a cheap build, over £5k spent on turboing alone, got £3k on invoices just from labour to fit & little bits at Ardler & dyno set up at Abbey motorsport.
Oh & lots and lots and lots of daft Mazda & Mazdaspeed stickers! which wont be on long!
Pics as purchaced.
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 18:29
So unload it, check tyre presures 35, 30, 14, 20! ha sort them out, pop superdooper unleaded in & go for a play on some of the best roads in the southeast.
Hmm skids well, goes well, although is it 225bhp worth hmm no I don't think so, the RSR tyres are fooked tho, have a moment at 3 figures slight bend mid overtake opps.
Anyway a dap of queef & we are away.
Then 22.7 miles into playtime, Ooh Deer!, quite literally, in this case a Muntjac.
An unlucky bit of road for me, I'd snapped a cambelt on my Caterham in almost the same spot a couple of years before.
Ah well not as bad as it looks, rad is fine & oilcooler, headlight is loose & doesn't work, but I can limp home with cable ties.
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/FsukRGEZ[/url]
Next day, 30 mins or so of faffing & headlight is just bulbs & a snapped mount, fixed easily pheww, bumper pushes out ok, & I get to de chav a sticker off, end result looks acceptable.
I also remove more stickers
Hmm skids well, goes well, although is it 225bhp worth hmm no I don't think so, the RSR tyres are fooked tho, have a moment at 3 figures slight bend mid overtake opps.
Anyway a dap of queef & we are away.
Then 22.7 miles into playtime, Ooh Deer!, quite literally, in this case a Muntjac.
An unlucky bit of road for me, I'd snapped a cambelt on my Caterham in almost the same spot a couple of years before.
Ah well not as bad as it looks, rad is fine & oilcooler, headlight is loose & doesn't work, but I can limp home with cable ties.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/FsukRGEZ[/url]Next day, 30 mins or so of faffing & headlight is just bulbs & a snapped mount, fixed easily pheww, bumper pushes out ok, & I get to de chav a sticker off, end result looks acceptable.
I also remove more stickers
Edited by iguana on Wednesday 16th August 09:04
Right let's get it to the dyno then.
I wanted not just a power run but the full malarky, inc injector duty cycles, det detect, measure my on board boost gauge and AFR gauges both correct etc etc.
So it was 225bhp at Abbey, so gunna be ball park right?
Well my seat of pants dyno said no its not that at all, I said before hand this is 180bhp tops, & power delivery was flatter than I'd like too, which is why I wanted dyno time.
So wasn't sure if I should be happy that my ar$e dyno was spot on or sad the power was so low, it was 179bhp
Ignore the revs scale on that one was a tad out by 400rpm
Biggest pain was I was only seeing 4-5psi on my on board gauge, so I'd hoped simply boost turned up to the 10-12psi most run with this set I'd have the 220-230bhp I was after easy peasy.....
Err no, was a small boost leak where the vac pipe take off was so it was reading incorrectly, but boost wasn't too far off.
I wanted not just a power run but the full malarky, inc injector duty cycles, det detect, measure my on board boost gauge and AFR gauges both correct etc etc.
So it was 225bhp at Abbey, so gunna be ball park right?
Well my seat of pants dyno said no its not that at all, I said before hand this is 180bhp tops, & power delivery was flatter than I'd like too, which is why I wanted dyno time.
So wasn't sure if I should be happy that my ar$e dyno was spot on or sad the power was so low, it was 179bhp
Ignore the revs scale on that one was a tad out by 400rpm
Biggest pain was I was only seeing 4-5psi on my on board gauge, so I'd hoped simply boost turned up to the 10-12psi most run with this set I'd have the 220-230bhp I was after easy peasy.....
Err no, was a small boost leak where the vac pipe take off was so it was reading incorrectly, but boost wasn't too far off.
Edited by iguana on Wednesday 16th August 09:04
So why the low power? all initial readings were ok, nothing was too silly fuelling wise.
So boost check 1st, aha Ok are a few leaky boost bits & air filter is really bad fitment, also turbo was also a bit wobbly on the clamp wotsit! oh dear has this damaged the blades?
Pheww no damage.
So all leaks etc sorted 187bhp hmm.
So boost up a tad to 11psi, oh yes that's some nice power, but whats that misfire all about.
This will need a full Lab report
Plugs out & replaced, nope that's not it.
Coil packs perhaps, a mate gets though 'em loads on his mk2 track car, nope all OK.
Now this bit I don't fully understand, but dyno found upping the boost messed with spark somat or other signals from coils, I don't really know or understand, but anyway that was sorted, fuelling is adjusted all through rev range, nice & safe.
A before & after
I'm happy with that, isn't a great manifold & downpipe solution more power to come if I changed it (more on this later!) but for now I'm happy, let's track test it!
Yeh is a bit of an odd curve at the top, not sure why, but no easy way around it. (more on this later!)
Boost is pretty low, I saw no reason to increase more boost for hoses to pop off & stuff to get hot on track, I've got no det, and I figure won't get much more power from this turbo (more on this later, I was incorrect!) so that'll do, prob is 230-250bhp on more optimistic dynos anyway, which is the reliable limit for standard rods.
So boost check 1st, aha Ok are a few leaky boost bits & air filter is really bad fitment, also turbo was also a bit wobbly on the clamp wotsit! oh dear has this damaged the blades?
Pheww no damage.
So all leaks etc sorted 187bhp hmm.
So boost up a tad to 11psi, oh yes that's some nice power, but whats that misfire all about.
This will need a full Lab report
Plugs out & replaced, nope that's not it.
Coil packs perhaps, a mate gets though 'em loads on his mk2 track car, nope all OK.
Now this bit I don't fully understand, but dyno found upping the boost messed with spark somat or other signals from coils, I don't really know or understand, but anyway that was sorted, fuelling is adjusted all through rev range, nice & safe.
A before & after
I'm happy with that, isn't a great manifold & downpipe solution more power to come if I changed it (more on this later!) but for now I'm happy, let's track test it!
Yeh is a bit of an odd curve at the top, not sure why, but no easy way around it. (more on this later!)
Boost is pretty low, I saw no reason to increase more boost for hoses to pop off & stuff to get hot on track, I've got no det, and I figure won't get much more power from this turbo (more on this later, I was incorrect!) so that'll do, prob is 230-250bhp on more optimistic dynos anyway, which is the reliable limit for standard rods.
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 19:01
Had a few bits to do 1st, brake line moved that was too close to the turbo.
Needed a new alternator too, they are surprisingly expensive new, picked a used one up locally for peanuts, this didn't last long, I had to get a new one anyway.
Then other stuff done like the horn never worked & neither did the brake lights!
Service & brake fluid then off to Brands for a shake down & 1st track test, oh & I wsnt happy with how perished the 595RSR were so drifted them to death & bagged some 888rs from out of a skip, ha yeh really, worn on the outer, but flipped round &tons of meat left.
Oh I sold my other Mx5 at this point & feeling flush I got a cheap dished wheel, it's not nice for tall folks otherwise & impossible to heel & toe.
Got there the night before, unloaded & shoved it in a pit garage, too keen?
Needed a new alternator too, they are surprisingly expensive new, picked a used one up locally for peanuts, this didn't last long, I had to get a new one anyway.
Then other stuff done like the horn never worked & neither did the brake lights!
Service & brake fluid then off to Brands for a shake down & 1st track test, oh & I wsnt happy with how perished the 595RSR were so drifted them to death & bagged some 888rs from out of a skip, ha yeh really, worn on the outer, but flipped round &tons of meat left.
Oh I sold my other Mx5 at this point & feeling flush I got a cheap dished wheel, it's not nice for tall folks otherwise & impossible to heel & toe.
Got there the night before, unloaded & shoved it in a pit garage, too keen?
So as a shake down it went well, a few issues that will need sorting, but thats what I was there for.
1- oil gets hot, crap oil cooler location that I thought might be an issue, I couldn't relocate it easily as needed longer hoses, but will now.
2- brake fade, was on Axxis ULT pads, pretty much done by lunchtime I'll go for Rodders pads next.
3- ride hight & spring rates, I always felt it was too low, but did nowt about it but see point 4 I'll have to now & spring rates & suspension in general I love it on road its mega, so much more advanced & firm but (& I know this is a naff term) but- breathable on road than my Mk1 on Gaz golds for example, but was a tad soft on track, not horrific, but on stickies a firmer front would have been nice, rear felt good.
4-Rubbing, bottom of paddock hill something was rubbing, could smell plastic, thought it was just front lip, but now it was nsf arch liner, plastic is fine, but it's actaully rubbing on top of inner arch, this is very much not good, see mark on tyre! could have been nasty.
5 Post trackday check reveals I snapped a rear spring.
I have firmer springs already from a previous MX5 & I wanted harder spring rates anyway, the P5 kit is I read on the interwebs 350lbs Front 250lbs rear, and I have sat in my place a set of new Gaz springs off the MK1 at 500lbs fr & 300lbs rear
1- oil gets hot, crap oil cooler location that I thought might be an issue, I couldn't relocate it easily as needed longer hoses, but will now.
2- brake fade, was on Axxis ULT pads, pretty much done by lunchtime I'll go for Rodders pads next.
3- ride hight & spring rates, I always felt it was too low, but did nowt about it but see point 4 I'll have to now & spring rates & suspension in general I love it on road its mega, so much more advanced & firm but (& I know this is a naff term) but- breathable on road than my Mk1 on Gaz golds for example, but was a tad soft on track, not horrific, but on stickies a firmer front would have been nice, rear felt good.
4-Rubbing, bottom of paddock hill something was rubbing, could smell plastic, thought it was just front lip, but now it was nsf arch liner, plastic is fine, but it's actaully rubbing on top of inner arch, this is very much not good, see mark on tyre! could have been nasty.
5 Post trackday check reveals I snapped a rear spring.
I have firmer springs already from a previous MX5 & I wanted harder spring rates anyway, the P5 kit is I read on the interwebs 350lbs Front 250lbs rear, and I have sat in my place a set of new Gaz springs off the MK1 at 500lbs fr & 300lbs rear
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 21:50
Hmm the P5 spring is tapered & the Gaz are regular 2.25 linear springs
Well I talk to Protech who made the shocks that P5 (who are no longer in business) used & P5 then used his own springs, they have a collet adaptor solution & also they can firm up the damping for me to suit the firmer springs, also the bottom bush on the shocks are not in good health either they can re bush during rebuild too & dyno test after rebuild.
https://protechshocks.co.uk/
Not too far away went down there to deliver & collect had a good look round & chin wag, nice guys I'll def do business with 'em again.
I could perhaps have just bought a new set up at this point, perhaps Meister R Clubsports, but doing this was a lot lot cheaper & hopefully it would work out ok. (it did I was very happy with the results)
So that plus the other bits are my next steps.
Oil cooler relocated, so it's actually completely in the air stream, was in an utterly retarded vertical position before, with just a tiny portion in air flow, mental! brought road thrash temps down 20 degrees, so has to help on track too.
At this point I sell my VX220, it was a great car, amazing handling on Nitrons, but I'm enjoying the MX5 more if I'm honest & less money at risk if I binned it & Vx & Elise prices had moved up so off it went.
I promptly replace it with an early Mk1 MR2 however, as I've never had one & I see that they will rise price wise too.
Suspension back on, road test on a B road mad thrash is fine, firmer than before naturally as a non progressive set up & firmer, but its not night & day & is utterly fine for me, a nicer ride than my Gaz Golds on softer spring rates I had on my mk1 anyway.
All fitted by Track Day Toys who also do the gearbox swap.
Geo set up properly. a bit of an Icehawk, Lanny, Ace Engineering combo & ride height raised to near the FM recommended as it was too low before.
Roll on Brands GP
Well I talk to Protech who made the shocks that P5 (who are no longer in business) used & P5 then used his own springs, they have a collet adaptor solution & also they can firm up the damping for me to suit the firmer springs, also the bottom bush on the shocks are not in good health either they can re bush during rebuild too & dyno test after rebuild.
https://protechshocks.co.uk/
Not too far away went down there to deliver & collect had a good look round & chin wag, nice guys I'll def do business with 'em again.
I could perhaps have just bought a new set up at this point, perhaps Meister R Clubsports, but doing this was a lot lot cheaper & hopefully it would work out ok. (it did I was very happy with the results)
So that plus the other bits are my next steps.
Oil cooler relocated, so it's actually completely in the air stream, was in an utterly retarded vertical position before, with just a tiny portion in air flow, mental! brought road thrash temps down 20 degrees, so has to help on track too.
At this point I sell my VX220, it was a great car, amazing handling on Nitrons, but I'm enjoying the MX5 more if I'm honest & less money at risk if I binned it & Vx & Elise prices had moved up so off it went.
I promptly replace it with an early Mk1 MR2 however, as I've never had one & I see that they will rise price wise too.
Suspension back on, road test on a B road mad thrash is fine, firmer than before naturally as a non progressive set up & firmer, but its not night & day & is utterly fine for me, a nicer ride than my Gaz Golds on softer spring rates I had on my mk1 anyway.
All fitted by Track Day Toys who also do the gearbox swap.
Geo set up properly. a bit of an Icehawk, Lanny, Ace Engineering combo & ride height raised to near the FM recommended as it was too low before.
Roll on Brands GP
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 22:12
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 23:33
So this was a success at Brands GP, the firmer springs worked v well & the cooling mods meant nicely lower temps.
Can't see it too well but oil cooler more in airflow
The Rodders pads were utter $hite tho, properly bedded in as per Bofi instructions, on road, but utter rubbish, fade-tastic, thought I was gunna rear end a mate in his Caterham at one point! when we had a play, not ideal!
The turbo to manifold bolts all loose yet again just like after 1st track day & another nut lost, & exhaust manifold gasket blown, so that's me done with that set up, a manifold & downpipe upgrade coming soon.
The gearbox isn't healthy, really noisy, was prob gunna let go at at some point, so I splashed out & in went another mk2 5 speed, sure could have put in a 6 speed but the 5 speed was £30 I hear the 6 is stronger, but they are not £30!
So yes blown exhaust manifold gaskets but also manifold had a crack & a bit of a warp too so all needed to come off anyway, man maths kicked in, I was never keen on the present exhaust set up, so a deal was struck on a Kraken manifold & I'd get a downpipe fabbed up as no one seemed to want to sell one just put pics on websites grr! plus the old set up is saleable, so I had it welded up & sold on.
Sexy new downpipe by Reeves Race Engineering.
Certainly better looking than the old one
I decided it needs prancing hair dryer stickers on the wings.
I think they look ace
Can't see it too well but oil cooler more in airflow
The Rodders pads were utter $hite tho, properly bedded in as per Bofi instructions, on road, but utter rubbish, fade-tastic, thought I was gunna rear end a mate in his Caterham at one point! when we had a play, not ideal!
The turbo to manifold bolts all loose yet again just like after 1st track day & another nut lost, & exhaust manifold gasket blown, so that's me done with that set up, a manifold & downpipe upgrade coming soon.
The gearbox isn't healthy, really noisy, was prob gunna let go at at some point, so I splashed out & in went another mk2 5 speed, sure could have put in a 6 speed but the 5 speed was £30 I hear the 6 is stronger, but they are not £30!
So yes blown exhaust manifold gaskets but also manifold had a crack & a bit of a warp too so all needed to come off anyway, man maths kicked in, I was never keen on the present exhaust set up, so a deal was struck on a Kraken manifold & I'd get a downpipe fabbed up as no one seemed to want to sell one just put pics on websites grr! plus the old set up is saleable, so I had it welded up & sold on.
Sexy new downpipe by Reeves Race Engineering.
Certainly better looking than the old one
I decided it needs prancing hair dryer stickers on the wings.
I think they look ace
I don't have any video of it on track, but I do have of my more hardcore track E36 328 that I also took along I'll put link below, is of a really fun session with my mate who has the camera in his Supercharged Elise.
Mx5 was a bit (but not hugely) slower over a lap, due to not having mega AP brakes all round & v aggressive race pads like the E36 which is race car firm & fully stripped & full cage etc, but MX5 had better corner exit speed due to the boost & the chunky mid range, but BMW has much bigger tyres & weight isn't hugely different.
https://youtu.be/uJgVFLMVBQA
Mx5 was a bit (but not hugely) slower over a lap, due to not having mega AP brakes all round & v aggressive race pads like the E36 which is race car firm & fully stripped & full cage etc, but MX5 had better corner exit speed due to the boost & the chunky mid range, but BMW has much bigger tyres & weight isn't hugely different.
https://youtu.be/uJgVFLMVBQA
So after manifold & downpipe fitted is put on the dyno
Shoved on dyno, boom lovely extra 20bhp with an added tickle of more boost because it flows so well now, this is a pretty Conservative dyno too, so some will have that at 250bhp plus that's close to the limit for the rods so that's me done for the time being power wise ha ha famous last words
Shoved on dyno, boom lovely extra 20bhp with an added tickle of more boost because it flows so well now, this is a pretty Conservative dyno too, so some will have that at 250bhp plus that's close to the limit for the rods so that's me done for the time being power wise ha ha famous last words
Edited by iguana on Sunday 13th August 00:00
So Trackday at Bedford next, I'm not a fan but bunch of mates going & I've not been in a decade.
I spot a half price deal on PBS Pro-race front pads I put new Rodders pads on the rear & off I go.
Oh I'd had new front calipers & discs all round too.
It's a really hot day & the car doesn't miss a beat all day brakes however are yet again a disappointment, pads worn out I the day & not much stopping power left after lunch grr, I need a better solution.
I spot a half price deal on PBS Pro-race front pads I put new Rodders pads on the rear & off I go.
Oh I'd had new front calipers & discs all round too.
It's a really hot day & the car doesn't miss a beat all day brakes however are yet again a disappointment, pads worn out I the day & not much stopping power left after lunch grr, I need a better solution.
Edited by iguana on Tuesday 15th August 21:37
Boost has been a bit erratic, I'm overboosting at times my manual boost controller is playing up. I'm advised an electronic one would be a better solution & I can run multi boost level settings, road, track, wet, etc
I also have a new cambelt, this by the ever excellent Ace Engineering he spots I've been running a tooth out on the intake cam!
This sorts out far more zing at the top end.
Boost controller set up on dyno, because the timing is finally correct I can run less boost yet get more power! perfect!
I don't want anymore power on the stock rods, it's so much nicer to drive now too!
I also have a new cambelt, this by the ever excellent Ace Engineering he spots I've been running a tooth out on the intake cam!
This sorts out far more zing at the top end.
Boost controller set up on dyno, because the timing is finally correct I can run less boost yet get more power! perfect!
I don't want anymore power on the stock rods, it's so much nicer to drive now too!
Edited by iguana on Saturday 12th August 22:23
Edited by iguana on Tuesday 15th August 21:30
Ring trip.
It was a last-minute decision to go, I had old track pads in - PBS Pro-race, they were terrible! no time to get decent stuff so got ECPs finest Eicher pads & new brake fluid & would change at 'my pals place at ring.
Tbh that wasn't a terrible decision, got 11 laps out of the fronts, before I changed 'em, for £18 that was acceptable, 10 more laps on the next set.
When fitting the pads I noticed more play on a front wheel bearing than I was happy with, new one ordered, next day collection in Mayen, no hydraulic press needed for these, I just needed adult supervision for the carrier bolts, so so I didn't shear them.
Bit of a pain the wheel bearing only did 1 track day grrr.
Anyway she lapped hard, went beautifully, is my track e36 M3 pace, although rather more scary in a spank, on the 3rd lap on the bounce I'd notice a tad less boost & less performance, heat soak in the inlet I think I'll make some shielding & an airbox, speaking of which, did a bit on the water pipes that can get hot near exhaust & turbo & my pal made a lovely heat shield for a brake line I'll move at a later date.
Well after a brake solution anyway, I'll be going bigger brakes, ordered & on the way.
It got left at 'ring as I bagged a recovery job back, I collected it a week later, connecting with a Belgium delivery out & a German one back, got in another 7 glorious sunny empty midweek laps too.
It was a last-minute decision to go, I had old track pads in - PBS Pro-race, they were terrible! no time to get decent stuff so got ECPs finest Eicher pads & new brake fluid & would change at 'my pals place at ring.
Tbh that wasn't a terrible decision, got 11 laps out of the fronts, before I changed 'em, for £18 that was acceptable, 10 more laps on the next set.
When fitting the pads I noticed more play on a front wheel bearing than I was happy with, new one ordered, next day collection in Mayen, no hydraulic press needed for these, I just needed adult supervision for the carrier bolts, so so I didn't shear them.
Bit of a pain the wheel bearing only did 1 track day grrr.
Anyway she lapped hard, went beautifully, is my track e36 M3 pace, although rather more scary in a spank, on the 3rd lap on the bounce I'd notice a tad less boost & less performance, heat soak in the inlet I think I'll make some shielding & an airbox, speaking of which, did a bit on the water pipes that can get hot near exhaust & turbo & my pal made a lovely heat shield for a brake line I'll move at a later date.
Well after a brake solution anyway, I'll be going bigger brakes, ordered & on the way.
It got left at 'ring as I bagged a recovery job back, I collected it a week later, connecting with a Belgium delivery out & a German one back, got in another 7 glorious sunny empty midweek laps too.
Edited by iguana on Thursday 17th August 21:48
Edited by iguana on Thursday 17th August 22:09
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff