Tuesday 18th October 2022

BBR introduces new Supercharger kits for MX-5

Got a first-generation 2.0-litre ND? Feel like it could do with being a bit quicker? Right this way...

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The last time we visited BBR, it was to collect the Super 220 to try out as a (sort of) rival to the latest Alpine A110 GT. Honestly, though, despite similarities on the scales - and it being stupendous to drive on a B road - the naturally aspirated MX-5, even with a wonderful sounding 224hp from its revised 2.0-litre lump, was ultimately outgunned by its turbocharged rival. Of course it was: even with BBR’s heroic efforts, the Super 220 gives up nearly 100lb ft of torque versus the A110, and at much higher engine speeds, too. 

Naturally, having originally built its reputation on forced induction, the tuner was well aware of the car’s comparative shortcomings, and has been beavering away on its new ND-based supercharger packages for some time. Now it has confirmed the new offering in two cost-effective stages. Both deploy the ‘proven and reliable’ C30-94 Rotrex blower, and are said to have been specifically designed to avoid ‘intrusive mechanical alterations’ to Mazda’s 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G unit and retain an OEM-like under bonnet appearance. 

BBR has not run wild with output claims, either. The firm’s upgrades are typically very well matched to the MX-5’s modest handling limit, meaning that Stage One will earn you the same 224hp output that the Super 220 delivers; the difference being that it comes hand-in-hand with 200lb ft of torque between 3,750 and 5,750rpm. As you might expect, BBR suggests this makes the MX-5 ‘highly responsive’ and is significant enough to lop a full two seconds from the standard 0-60mph time. 

On the basis that the Super 220 lowers the benchmark to 6 seconds - and feels plenty quick enough - we’re going to stick our neck out and suggest that the 5.3 second claimed for Stage One is going to be sufficiently fast for most people. But BBR knows its niche better than we do, and that’s why there’s a Stage Two that will nudge 250hp and 220lb ft of torque. The tuner says this is due to improved flow rather than higher boost pressure (it adds a beefier exhaust, for one thing) and ought to see the national limit come up in 5.1 seconds. 

“BBR has undertaken many, many months of both in-house dyno and road validation during the development of both the Stage One and Stage Two packages for the ND model of the MX-5,” noted BBR’s Neil Mckay. “This has resulted in a pair of supercharger upgrades that are feature rich with BBR-specific components, each designed to enhance performance while retaining ultimate reliability. Opting for the Rotrex supercharger enables BBR’s most straightforward forced induction install to date, meaning that it is well within the capabilities of most DIY mechanics and easy for any professional.” 

It goes without saying that Neil is being kind to those of us born with fewer fingers than thumbs, and that’s because there’s also an option for a fully-fitted ‘drive-in, drive-out’ conversion in both cases; Stage One starts at £4,795, while Stage Two costs from £6,495. If you’re feeling brave - or are halfway capable in the garage - the DIY versions are £3,895 and £5,395, respectively, although that’s hardware only. Both conversions come with a 12-month warranty, and (for now) are only applicable to any 2.0-litre ND built between 2015 and 2019. Form an orderly queue!

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• Alpine A110 GT vs. BBR MX-5 Super 220
• 2020 Mazda MX-5 BBR Super 220 | UK Review

[varsas]

So these are for the lower-powered standard 2.0 litre engines, rather then the newer 184bhp version? In any case it seems great value, I think I would still prefer the nat-asp super 220 version but can see these would make the car pretty fast, and I guess preferable to a turbo version.

[snotrag]

2015 model year is the original, 'lower power' ND.


Or 'ND1' as its known.

[ogrodz]

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

[Scottie - NW]

"Starts at" and "costs from". As much as i really like these cars, and spent the weekend driving a Mazda with this engine and gearbox, by the time you've added some minor suspension and brake upgrades you've spent £10k extra on an ND1 and despite being someone who extensively tunes my cars I'd just get a Boxster or alternative for that price with the power and handling in the first place, and not lose a fortune come resale.

Hopefully BBR are now including VAT in advertised prices.

EDIT : Just to add that £6474 price is hardware only and excludes any software or programming cable, this appears to be another £795 plus VAT for a cable.

https://bbrgti.com/products/bbr-stage-two-mazda-mx...

Edited by Scottie - NW on Tuesday 18th October 17:22

[Draxindustries1]

A used 3.2S flat six Boxster would provide far more vfm.
Unless of course Mx5 afficionado....

[SlimJim16v]

ogrodz said:

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

Yes, impressive

[anonymous-user]

I like MX5's i just dont get why they dont offer either a 2 litre or even a 1.6 litre turbo'd version as standard, i guess this would push the price past them selling any against other car options?

[C.A.R.]

varsas said:

So these are for the lower-powered standard 2.0 litre engines, rather then the newer 184bhp version? In any case it seems great value, I think I would still prefer the nat-asp super 220 version but can see these would make the car pretty fast, and I guess preferable to a turbo version.

This seems right, it says on their website that this is for the 155hp ND1 MX5, raising it to 220hp (+64hp). It also says that a variant for the 184ps version will be 'coming soon'.

I was curious too.

[carl_w]

ogrodz said:

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

Only on a dual carriageway.

[Caddyshack]

carl_w said:

ogrodz said:

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

Only on a dual carriageway.

Yeah, NSL is accepted as 60 mph with (unless on a dual carriage way) as a caveat.

[ogrodz]

Caddyshack said:

carl_w said:

ogrodz said:

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

Only on a dual carriageway.

Yeah, NSL is accepted as 60 mph with (unless on a dual carriage way) as a caveat.

From the RAC web page - more trustworthy than the government pages these days:-

"For cars, the national speed limit usually refers to the 70mph limit on motorways and dual carriageways, and the 60mph limit on single carriageways.

The national speed limit sign is a white circle with a single black diagonal stripe through it."

[redroadster]

Or just buy abarth spyder and chip tune for same performance?

[ate one too]

That'll get you to "Snip in Time" on time .....

[Maccmike8]

redroadster said:

Or just buy abarth spyder and chip tune for same performance?

But then you'll have a faster version of the same 'worlds ugliest car'.

[esotericar]

redroadster said:

Or just buy abarth spyder and chip tune for same performance?

That's turbo, very different proposition to supercharging in terms of character and power delivery. Personally, I would consider a supercharged car, but not turbo.

[MrHooky]

Draxindustries1 said:

A used 3.2S flat six Boxster would provide far more vfm.
Unless of course Mx5 afficionado....

Bought my 2.7 non-S for less than the price of the stage 1 kit alone.

Admittedly an older car but c.230 bhp (it's facelift so should be 228) for similar roof down fun.

https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2003-porsche-9...

[S600BSB]

Maccmike8 said:

redroadster said:

Or just buy abarth spyder and chip tune for same performance?

But then you'll have a faster version of the same 'worlds ugliest car'.

Harsh. I would always take an MX-5 over the Fiat alternative, but it is far from ugly IMHO

[Silvanus]

S600BSB said:

Maccmike8 said:

redroadster said:

Or just buy abarth spyder and chip tune for same performance?

But then you'll have a faster version of the same 'worlds ugliest car'.

Harsh. I would always take an MX-5 over the Fiat alternative, but it is far from ugly IMHO

I'd say the Fiat is a far better looking car than this, probably the worst looking MX-5 by a long shot. The Abarth is not even close to the the worlds ugliest car. There are hundreds of cars that look worse.

[DMZ]

I wonder if the reluctance to rev is still there with the supercharger? Presumably yes. I think on the ND1, I would be inclined to go with the naturally aspirated updates that makes it more like an ND2 instead of the supercharger.

[Jon_S_Rally]

ogrodz said:

National Limit is 70mph. O-70 in 5.1 seconds? That sounds very quick

The term "National Speed Limit" is widely known to mean the 60mph speed limit on single carriageway roads.

Scottie - NW said:

"Starts at" and "costs from". As much as i really like these cars, and spent the weekend driving a Mazda with this engine and gearbox, by the time you've added some minor suspension and brake upgrades you've spent £10k extra on an ND1 and despite being someone who extensively tunes my cars I'd just get a Boxster or alternative for that price with the power and handling in the first place, and not lose a fortune come resale.

Hopefully BBR are now including VAT in advertised prices.

EDIT : Just to add that £6474 price is hardware only and excludes any software or programming cable, this appears to be another £795 plus VAT for a cable.

https://bbrgti.com/products/bbr-stage-two-mazda-mx...

Edited by Scottie - NW on Tuesday 18th October 17:22

That's a bit naughty to be honest. You can't have the kit and not have the software changes, so why not just list the full price?

Maccmike8 said:

But then you'll have a faster version of the same 'worlds ugliest car'.

Looks are subjective. To me, the Abarth 124 looks considerably better than the droopy-nosed ND MX-5.