Any difference between '94 and '95 1.8 engine?
Discussion
So I'm on my 2nd MX5, and loving it again, but this one feels noticeably different to me in the engine department to my first one.
The first one was a '94 Eunos RS-Limited. For some reason, it always felt quite *slightly* strangled and reluctant to rev. I also didn't quite get on with the noise - although that was more likely down to the exhaust and decat.
My current one is a '95 UK version. It has what I believe is the standard exhaust, and presumably the cat. Not only does it sound nicer to me, but it seems to rev much more eagerly, and dare I say it, even has a slight "VTEC" like effect at around 5,000 revs which I never remember of the old one? It also seems significantly better one fuel (as in the old one seemed to average mid to high 20s, this one seems to average high 20s to early 30s). Although I've never actually measured it against the stopwatch, the UK spec seems *slightly* more accelerative too.
These aren't huge differences you understand, but they are certainly noticeable to me.
Odd thing was, I was expecting the UK one to be slower, due to the mods on the Eunos and the fact the RS Limited is apparently a "light" version even though the difference is likely only to be a few kgs at best (whatever weight is saved by the wheels and the seats in the RS is probably cancelled out by the lack of PAS and AC on the UK model anyway?).
The first one was a '94 Eunos RS-Limited. For some reason, it always felt quite *slightly* strangled and reluctant to rev. I also didn't quite get on with the noise - although that was more likely down to the exhaust and decat.
My current one is a '95 UK version. It has what I believe is the standard exhaust, and presumably the cat. Not only does it sound nicer to me, but it seems to rev much more eagerly, and dare I say it, even has a slight "VTEC" like effect at around 5,000 revs which I never remember of the old one? It also seems significantly better one fuel (as in the old one seemed to average mid to high 20s, this one seems to average high 20s to early 30s). Although I've never actually measured it against the stopwatch, the UK spec seems *slightly* more accelerative too.
These aren't huge differences you understand, but they are certainly noticeable to me.
Odd thing was, I was expecting the UK one to be slower, due to the mods on the Eunos and the fact the RS Limited is apparently a "light" version even though the difference is likely only to be a few kgs at best (whatever weight is saved by the wheels and the seats in the RS is probably cancelled out by the lack of PAS and AC on the UK model anyway?).
S2 engine came in at around mid 95 with a whole +3 bhp... This was gained from a mild compression bump.
Your RS had a lower final drive which should've made it quicker but will have impacted MPG a fair amount.
Chances are your new car is just in better nick mechanically and over time you've forgotten the RS's performance.
Your RS had a lower final drive which should've made it quicker but will have impacted MPG a fair amount.
Chances are your new car is just in better nick mechanically and over time you've forgotten the RS's performance.
Richyvrlimited said:
Chances are your new car is just in better nick mechanically and over time you've forgotten the RS's performance.
This. Unfortunately, your comparison has not been the most scientific, so it will be a combination of potentially a car in better mechanical condition, and or the human brain not being the most accurate comparison tool 
I guess that is it then 
The car had literally just had a service and when I checked the oil on the dipstick, it was the cleanest I've ever seen oil !
I have been told that the car was well looked after, so perhaps it's just for that reason. You're right of course, the explanation is anything but scientific, as the cars despite being similar are quite different for a number of reasons.
Also I did notice that the ratios are taller in the UK car - which can hit nearly 60 in 2nd and over 85 in 3rd, where the RS managed ~55 and ~80 respectively, and also the UK car is around 3600 in top at 70 and the RS was nearer 4000. I wasn't aware the RS had a different final drive, and I put the difference down to speedo differences.
The car had literally just had a service and when I checked the oil on the dipstick, it was the cleanest I've ever seen oil !
I have been told that the car was well looked after, so perhaps it's just for that reason. You're right of course, the explanation is anything but scientific, as the cars despite being similar are quite different for a number of reasons.
Also I did notice that the ratios are taller in the UK car - which can hit nearly 60 in 2nd and over 85 in 3rd, where the RS managed ~55 and ~80 respectively, and also the UK car is around 3600 in top at 70 and the RS was nearer 4000. I wasn't aware the RS had a different final drive, and I put the difference down to speedo differences.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Friday 6th January 11:36
NeoVR said:
Ive noticed the same...
Switching between my 94 1.8 roadster and a 95/96 UK model showed some suprising differences in character with the later engine feeling noticeably more perky... IIRC they changed the weight of the flywheel/diff ratio or somethin.
I might not be imagining it after all then... and its only been about 1 year and 2 months since I sold the Eunos, and I feel like I can remember reasonably well what it was like.Switching between my 94 1.8 roadster and a 95/96 UK model showed some suprising differences in character with the later engine feeling noticeably more perky... IIRC they changed the weight of the flywheel/diff ratio or somethin.
It is of course possible my UK one is just in better condition, but then if you notice it too, who knows!
NeoVR said:
Ive noticed the same...
Switching between my 94 1.8 roadster and a 95/96 UK model showed some suprising differences in character with the later engine feeling noticeably more perky... IIRC they changed the weight of the flywheel/diff ratio or somethin.
On a UK car they didn't.Switching between my 94 1.8 roadster and a 95/96 UK model showed some suprising differences in character with the later engine feeling noticeably more perky... IIRC they changed the weight of the flywheel/diff ratio or somethin.
On import cars the later 1995.5 onwards all cars got a mild compression bump and any model based on the S-Spec got a lower final drive and a lighter flywheel.
TRD said:
I might not be imagining it after all then... and its only been about 1 year and 2 months since I sold the Eunos, and I feel like I can remember reasonably well what it was like.
It is of course possible my UK one is just in better condition, but then if you notice it too, who knows!
You are imagining it...It is of course possible my UK one is just in better condition, but then if you notice it too, who knows!
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff