MX5 tuning options?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm thinking about getting a mk1 or 2 MX5. The thing is, I'd like a bit more straightline performance than the stock 1.8 can give.
The obviosu answer is to supercharge it, but I'm a bit worried about the insurance implications and tales of engines not lasting very long after thats been done.
So, what is the reliability like for supercharger conversions? (they seem to go up to about 200hp usually)
What are my other options for tuning an MX5? I'm not necesarily after 200hp, but a noticable increase on the standard 128bhp. Not too worried about fuel economy concerns, but I've got to maintain a vaguely reasonable standard of drivaiblity and reliability is paramount. I don't really want anything 'high maintanence'.
So, what would people recommend?
Mainly interested in the engine, but as a footnote, what do people think about aftermarket suspension kits - are they worthwhile on bumpy british b-roads or are they more of a track option/max power gimmick?
I'm thinking about getting a mk1 or 2 MX5. The thing is, I'd like a bit more straightline performance than the stock 1.8 can give.
The obviosu answer is to supercharge it, but I'm a bit worried about the insurance implications and tales of engines not lasting very long after thats been done.
So, what is the reliability like for supercharger conversions? (they seem to go up to about 200hp usually)
What are my other options for tuning an MX5? I'm not necesarily after 200hp, but a noticable increase on the standard 128bhp. Not too worried about fuel economy concerns, but I've got to maintain a vaguely reasonable standard of drivaiblity and reliability is paramount. I don't really want anything 'high maintanence'.
So, what would people recommend?
Mainly interested in the engine, but as a footnote, what do people think about aftermarket suspension kits - are they worthwhile on bumpy british b-roads or are they more of a track option/max power gimmick?
Hmmm, how long is a piece of string.....
Assuming you mentioning a MKII means you will be looking at a late MKI then the 1.8 cars have 130 and 140 bhp (mki mkii). All 1.8's have the stronger diffs and bigger brakes already, some will have an LSD (Torsen) and some mkii's will have the stronger 6 speed box. The 5 speeds are good to somewhere north of 230bhp, depending on abuse.
Your supercharger options on the 1.8's are JRSC M45 blower or BRP M62 blower. The BEGI MOAB and FM Uber have not yet been proven to fit RHD cars. Both will give a noticeable increase but with a goal of 200bhp then the M62 is the only one to consider. For a turbo the kits options are HKS, BEGI, FM, RacingMazda or DIY. Some manufacturers offer different flavours of kit i.e. intercooled or not, fuelling solutions etc. etc. so you will need to contact resellers and check what you can afford. How reliable the kit is depends on installation as all come with quality components. Engine life will depend on the tuning, which to an extent depends on what is provided in the kit - I personally think anyone looking at a 200bhp MX-5 should budget for a replacement ECU instead of piggyback devices and get it setup properly. Clutch will not hold 200bhp so budget for a stronger one.
MXR
Assuming you mentioning a MKII means you will be looking at a late MKI then the 1.8 cars have 130 and 140 bhp (mki mkii). All 1.8's have the stronger diffs and bigger brakes already, some will have an LSD (Torsen) and some mkii's will have the stronger 6 speed box. The 5 speeds are good to somewhere north of 230bhp, depending on abuse.
Your supercharger options on the 1.8's are JRSC M45 blower or BRP M62 blower. The BEGI MOAB and FM Uber have not yet been proven to fit RHD cars. Both will give a noticeable increase but with a goal of 200bhp then the M62 is the only one to consider. For a turbo the kits options are HKS, BEGI, FM, RacingMazda or DIY. Some manufacturers offer different flavours of kit i.e. intercooled or not, fuelling solutions etc. etc. so you will need to contact resellers and check what you can afford. How reliable the kit is depends on installation as all come with quality components. Engine life will depend on the tuning, which to an extent depends on what is provided in the kit - I personally think anyone looking at a 200bhp MX-5 should budget for a replacement ECU instead of piggyback devices and get it setup properly. Clutch will not hold 200bhp so budget for a stronger one.
MXR
Not really aiming for 200hp though. It'd be nice, but I don't think I'd need that much.
Want to avoid turbochargers as I detest anything that slows down the engine response. Supercharging is an option, but strikes me as quite an extreme step.
I was aiming more for 150-160hp at a guess - basically whatever was the limit without running into huge budgets, drivability problems or noticably reduced engine life.
Hmm, I'm confused - thought the MX5 remainded virtually the same until the recent (mk3 or 4?) one? Can anyone give me an idea of bhp and performance figures for the various factory built 1.8's ....anything thats on the second hand market for, say, sub £6k.
As for whether to buy or modify, the spec I'm looking theoretically remains the same whether I pick up someone elses project on start my own. The only think is if I ran a mildly tuned or standard model for a few months (as opposed to a 20 minute test drive!) I might decide it was perfectly addequate and not incur the expense of modifying it (or buying a higher specced car in the first place)
Want to avoid turbochargers as I detest anything that slows down the engine response. Supercharging is an option, but strikes me as quite an extreme step.
I was aiming more for 150-160hp at a guess - basically whatever was the limit without running into huge budgets, drivability problems or noticably reduced engine life.
Hmm, I'm confused - thought the MX5 remainded virtually the same until the recent (mk3 or 4?) one? Can anyone give me an idea of bhp and performance figures for the various factory built 1.8's ....anything thats on the second hand market for, say, sub £6k.
As for whether to buy or modify, the spec I'm looking theoretically remains the same whether I pick up someone elses project on start my own. The only think is if I ran a mildly tuned or standard model for a few months (as opposed to a 20 minute test drive!) I might decide it was perfectly addequate and not incur the expense of modifying it (or buying a higher specced car in the first place)
LOL, I'm sure you wouldn't like one anyway!!!!
Bens was the T28 (2560) sold in the FM kit he had IIRC.
So, recipe for 160bhp - start with a MKII so you get 140standard and have a better flowing head. For under 6k it'll be high'ish mileage so whip off the head and get it skimmed and cleaned up whilst replacing the cambelt. The raised compression will give you a boost in power throughout the whole rev range. Get hold of a spare exhaust cam and do the exhintake swap - see miata net NA forum. Add an EMU, remove the MAF and mock up an intake, slap on some RB headers and an exhaust/cat and tune it all - should be over 20bhp gain, though you may need adjustable cam gears to dial the new intake cam in.
MXR
Bens was the T28 (2560) sold in the FM kit he had IIRC.
So, recipe for 160bhp - start with a MKII so you get 140standard and have a better flowing head. For under 6k it'll be high'ish mileage so whip off the head and get it skimmed and cleaned up whilst replacing the cambelt. The raised compression will give you a boost in power throughout the whole rev range. Get hold of a spare exhaust cam and do the exhintake swap - see miata net NA forum. Add an EMU, remove the MAF and mock up an intake, slap on some RB headers and an exhaust/cat and tune it all - should be over 20bhp gain, though you may need adjustable cam gears to dial the new intake cam in.
MXR
How is this for two ends of the scale?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/107086.htm
and:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/107232.htm
One is a cheap nippy go-cart, the other is a slayer of exotica...
www.pistonheads.com/sales/107086.htm
and:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/107232.htm
One is a cheap nippy go-cart, the other is a slayer of exotica...
Los Angeles said:
Chris71 said:
Hi Guys, I'm thinking about getting a mk1 or 2 MX5. The thing is, I'd like a bit more straightline performance than the stock 1.8 can give. The obviosu answer is to supercharge it...
I've a thread on the supercharger under "Jap Chat." Less cost brings you down to various cold air induction assemblies and perhaps a wide bore exhaust, but don't expect much more than 10 to 15 extra horsepower at 4000. As for insurance, my experience of the UK is that a supercharged MX5 is classed as Turbo and if you are over 25 is no more to insure than the stock car because the MX5 is viewed as benign in any guise. (I'll wait for squeals of astonishment from young MX5 owners paying king's ransoms.)
LA£900 a year with 8 years no claims living in Berkshire aged 30 says otherwise LA
Mine was classed as group 20.
Strange, people seem to get different answers from AON depending on who they speak to. When mine was 230bhp 'ish, all they wanted to know was what mods it had and how much they cost, didn't ask about the power and didn't seem to load the policy a lot (maybe 10%)?? I was paying around 350 a year then - mid 30's, full NCB and car garaged. Since then I've asked about a 1.8 swap and was told it would be insured and cost the same as a 1.8, also asked about IRTB's and replacement ECU and was told increases under 10% won't effect the policy!!!!
MXR
MXR
benjc said:
Pierscoe1 said:
Gazboy said:
Piersco1 had an awesome T25 turbo conversion on his 1.6
damn.. wish I'd known about that one...!
(think you're confusing me with benjc !?!?
T25? thats for whimps.... I had a GT28
Nah thats for wimps what you really want is a GT2860RS
Edited by steve bowen on Sunday 22 October 19:52
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