How to make my car faster.....
Discussion
gazboySeriously.
Short of a turbo kit there's no real way to make a MX5 go a lot faster.
Induction kit/decent exhaust/decat will free up some power.
Uprated clutch and a lightened flywheel will help get that power to the floor.
MX5s are about handling. So I'd suggest a decent set of sports springs & dampers, poly bushes and good tyres. And then enjoy those curves.
Short of a turbo kit there's no real way to make a MX5 go a lot faster.
Induction kit/decent exhaust/decat will free up some power.
Uprated clutch and a lightened flywheel will help get that power to the floor.
MX5s are about handling. So I'd suggest a decent set of sports springs & dampers, poly bushes and good tyres. And then enjoy those curves.
IIRC you orginally were on about a 1.6, you got the 1.8 and now you want more! Speed Matters!
) Mr E said:
Seriously.
Short of a turbo kit there's no real way to make a MX5 go a lot faster.
Induction kit/decent exhaust/decat will free up some power.
Uprated clutch and a lightened flywheel will help get that power to the floor.
MX5s are about handling. So I'd suggest a decent set of sports springs & dampers, poly bushes and good tyres. And then enjoy those curves.
I think Mr E is pretty much on the money. By far the best way to achieve any major power increases on a '5 is via forced induction (turbo or supercharger). The costs are way above your current budget, but it terms of bhp per £ spent, FI is the way to go! As a (very) general guide you should be able to get anything up to about 200 bhp for around £2000 or up to about 260bhp for £4000, less if you can source 2nd hand bits...
On your budget, you could go for some kind of cold air induction like this, for example:
www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/339
I'd be very sceptical about the 14bhp claim, though. You'd probably be lucky to get half of that.
Personally, though, I would (and did) go for a stainless steel cat back exhaust from these guys:
www.exhausts.uk.com/
Should set you back about £300 (or slightly more, depending on what sort of tail pipe you fancy). It will help your engine breath a little easier and free up a few horsepower. It'll also look good, sound good (it can be as loud or quiet as you choose), and last forever. I am very impressed with mine; if you want more info or some pics, feel free to contact me off line.
Gazboy said:
If you got the reddies get a ecu chip from superchips in Buckingham, ideally do all three in one go and get it set up on a rolling road.
Nooooooo! Although Superchips work well on some cars, they're unlikely to do anything for your '5 so don't waste your money - add it to the turbo fund instead!
As others have rightly stated making your MX-5 go significantly faster is going to cost. Lots!
I'm running the Flyin' Miata turbo on mine and it's a really quick car - not much will keep with it to the wrong side of the speed limit and it looks pretty 'stealth'.
If I were you, I'd invest in a decent induction kit and an exhaust. The JR cold air induction someone mentioned is a nice piece of kit but is unlikely to give the quoted gains. A nice sounding alternative would be the r*speed induction kit. I know a couple of people with these and hear nothing but good comments. Next, I'd turn my attention to the exhaust - again something like the JR system or a Flyin' Miata exhaust would be my choice.
Something else you can do that costs nothing is put your car on a diet - get rid of all the clutter that you carry about with you, it's amazing how much you can save. After all, it's all about power to weight. I ditched the spare and just run with a couple of cans of tyre weld.
Driving schools are also a great idea. I recently did a 1st Lotus day with Andrew Walsh and it was brilliant. I learned loads that day, it will certainly make you faster and safer.
Stay away from those chips though - they make next to no difference on an MX-5.
To save cash, parts can be bought second hand. People are always trying different parts or upgrading. Try keeping an eye on ebay and the various MX-5 websites. Some interesting stuff can be bought at decent prices.
Good luck,
Phil.
I'm running the Flyin' Miata turbo on mine and it's a really quick car - not much will keep with it to the wrong side of the speed limit and it looks pretty 'stealth'.
If I were you, I'd invest in a decent induction kit and an exhaust. The JR cold air induction someone mentioned is a nice piece of kit but is unlikely to give the quoted gains. A nice sounding alternative would be the r*speed induction kit. I know a couple of people with these and hear nothing but good comments. Next, I'd turn my attention to the exhaust - again something like the JR system or a Flyin' Miata exhaust would be my choice.
Something else you can do that costs nothing is put your car on a diet - get rid of all the clutter that you carry about with you, it's amazing how much you can save. After all, it's all about power to weight. I ditched the spare and just run with a couple of cans of tyre weld.
Driving schools are also a great idea. I recently did a 1st Lotus day with Andrew Walsh and it was brilliant. I learned loads that day, it will certainly make you faster and safer.
Stay away from those chips though - they make next to no difference on an MX-5.
To save cash, parts can be bought second hand. People are always trying different parts or upgrading. Try keeping an eye on ebay and the various MX-5 websites. Some interesting stuff can be bought at decent prices.
Good luck,
Phil.
I have lots of go faster Mazda experience but not all with an MX-5.
I have owned 3 Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4's & currently own a rare 1.8 Turbo now. I also have a MK1 MX-5.
Don't bother with upgrades, you'll only get 5-10 bhp gains, if its pre 92 ditch the cat that'll cost £25 & gain you that much almost. Just drive round with half a tank of fuel of Optimax it'll make the same difference really!.
If you want proper power then you'll need a turbo, the 1.6 engine is the Old 323 Turbo less the turbo, only the conrods are different. so its designed for power. You can buy from the USA some quite good turbo kits for about £800-1000 at current exchange rates. Worthwhile I would say.
But the 5 is so much fun as it is, stick some shite tyres on the rear and have a whale of a time on the roundabouts hoots of fun. (much more than my 220 bhp Turbo 4x4 323 anyway)
I have owned 3 Mazda 323 Turbo 4x4's & currently own a rare 1.8 Turbo now. I also have a MK1 MX-5.
Don't bother with upgrades, you'll only get 5-10 bhp gains, if its pre 92 ditch the cat that'll cost £25 & gain you that much almost. Just drive round with half a tank of fuel of Optimax it'll make the same difference really!.
If you want proper power then you'll need a turbo, the 1.6 engine is the Old 323 Turbo less the turbo, only the conrods are different. so its designed for power. You can buy from the USA some quite good turbo kits for about £800-1000 at current exchange rates. Worthwhile I would say.
But the 5 is so much fun as it is, stick some shite tyres on the rear and have a whale of a time on the roundabouts hoots of fun. (much more than my 220 bhp Turbo 4x4 323 anyway)
I personally think £800-1000 is on the low side unless you are building a custom kit. Once you've added on shipping costs and tax from the states your looking at closer to 2k for a basic Greddy kit. You would be better off getting the low boost kit from HKS/AVO from a UK supplier. Take a look at www.performance5.co.uk Phil Dixon does a range of FI solutions ranging from AVO/Jackson Racing superchargers to Flyin' Miata kits. Di, I will take you for a spin in my FM2 Turbo Mx5 at the Jap meet if you like, so you can see what you think.
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