I wanted a faster MX5
Discussion
I always felt that the Miatas or MX5s were always a little overhyped and fairly underwhelming for a car that everyone would tell me should be on every petrol head's bucket list.
I mean I get it, there would have been a point in time where it would have been a smart choice. At 18 a rwd cheap roadster would have been a godsend, but stupidly I went for an MG TF that was double on insurance and depreciated massively and then a twin turbo supra that rinsed my bank account like last weeks boxer shorts, and ironically would have been worth about 16 times what I sold it for now
I recenty picked up a very clean early 2000s MX5 that I hoped would turn into something fun. I'm sure more seat time and I might have seen its charms in a different light but as it stood it just felt a bit bland. It wasn't particularly fast, the suspension was surprisingly supple and the exhaust note was nowhere to be found on most occasions
.
Just by chance though, getting ready to sell her on and I Came across another one that looked a bit more interesting. I've been finding that I havent had a lot of time for projects lately and have found Iv'e ended up buying well put together projects to finish off rather than doing it all from scratch.
The 2 litre has been swapped out for a 2.5 out of the sp25 which is a sibling of the Ford Duratec essentially. Then the whole thing was stripped down, new chains, balancer delete, uprated injectors, race bearings, exceedy clutch, new steering rack, racing cams and custom intake and exhausts done to a brilliant standard. Then to finish it off some yellowstuff coilovers, and enkei rims peeking under some rolled arches..
In standard form the SP25 produces 250nm of torque and 18bhp to the 2.0's 190nm - and 157bhp so it's a good step up as it is. The end result after the mods is a circa 200rwbhp naturally aspirated beast coming in at around 1100kg, redlining at 8,250 rpm amidst flames
Lots of little things to make it perfect, some OEM recaro seats, removal of a few dings, few bits of interior bits and peices. A subwoofer has been put behind the passenger's seat which rattles profusely.
All in all though, enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. It sounds terriffic and there's scope for going turbo but I'm not sure if it would ruin the car. I'm normally all for a v6 or v8 but the high revving 4 banger seems to suit the car so well and it has a real track car vibe to it, it actually reminds me of my westfield in many ways, just less zero compromise with some creature comforts. Amazingly not far off twice the weight despite still being quite a light car. Having a proper boot and carplay helps.
Look
I mean I get it, there would have been a point in time where it would have been a smart choice. At 18 a rwd cheap roadster would have been a godsend, but stupidly I went for an MG TF that was double on insurance and depreciated massively and then a twin turbo supra that rinsed my bank account like last weeks boxer shorts, and ironically would have been worth about 16 times what I sold it for now
I recenty picked up a very clean early 2000s MX5 that I hoped would turn into something fun. I'm sure more seat time and I might have seen its charms in a different light but as it stood it just felt a bit bland. It wasn't particularly fast, the suspension was surprisingly supple and the exhaust note was nowhere to be found on most occasions
.
Just by chance though, getting ready to sell her on and I Came across another one that looked a bit more interesting. I've been finding that I havent had a lot of time for projects lately and have found Iv'e ended up buying well put together projects to finish off rather than doing it all from scratch.
The 2 litre has been swapped out for a 2.5 out of the sp25 which is a sibling of the Ford Duratec essentially. Then the whole thing was stripped down, new chains, balancer delete, uprated injectors, race bearings, exceedy clutch, new steering rack, racing cams and custom intake and exhausts done to a brilliant standard. Then to finish it off some yellowstuff coilovers, and enkei rims peeking under some rolled arches..
In standard form the SP25 produces 250nm of torque and 18bhp to the 2.0's 190nm - and 157bhp so it's a good step up as it is. The end result after the mods is a circa 200rwbhp naturally aspirated beast coming in at around 1100kg, redlining at 8,250 rpm amidst flames
Lots of little things to make it perfect, some OEM recaro seats, removal of a few dings, few bits of interior bits and peices. A subwoofer has been put behind the passenger's seat which rattles profusely.
All in all though, enjoying it more than I ever thought possible. It sounds terriffic and there's scope for going turbo but I'm not sure if it would ruin the car. I'm normally all for a v6 or v8 but the high revving 4 banger seems to suit the car so well and it has a real track car vibe to it, it actually reminds me of my westfield in many ways, just less zero compromise with some creature comforts. Amazingly not far off twice the weight despite still being quite a light car. Having a proper boot and carplay helps.
Look
Edited by thejaywills on Sunday 15th February 12:12
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