MX5 and TURBOs

[geeeman]

HI im lookin into the difficulty/cost of putting a turbo on an MX5 before i get one.
I know this has been discussed before, but just wondering if any of these turbo kits listed on ebay have been used by anyone. They seems affordable, but i supppose installation costs may be high.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/T25-T28-TURBO-TURBO...

this is one of the types listed.. but there are a few others in this price range.

Any ideas what it may cost to get professionally fitted?
and am i right in saying all Mx5s came with factory LSD standard

thanks

[geeeman]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Turbocharger-TD04H-TD4HL-15G...


another one, from Japan

[JFReturns]

geeeman said:

and am i right in saying all Mx5s came with factory LSD standard

No.

[MrV]

You realise that that is just a turbo and not everything you need to put a turbo on the mx5 ?

I don't have a lot of time to search but you should be looking for a complete kit (something like this)

http://froogle.motorsportworld.co.uk/framefix.asp?...

http://www.grahamgoode.com/website/parts.php?websi...

Edited by MrV on Tuesday 7th September 08:07

[GravelBen]

The best way to do it IMO is buy one with the hard work already done and the bugs ironed out.

[MX-5 Lazza]

As GB says, it's better to buy one that's already fitted & working. The only reason to but a turbo and get it fitted yourself is if you already have a car that you have some kind of attachment to (financial/emotional).
Beware of Ebay turbos - I know some have a reputation for cracking manifolds... Take a look around on MX5 Nutz to get a better idea of what's good & what's not

[geeeman]

thanks for the advice

i have done a bit of searching re the diff
the Mk1s had torsen as an option and was only fitted as standard to some of the 'specials'..

so yeh suppose looking for a car with diff and turbo already sorted would make sense..

But if it needs to be done, any where that can be recommended in SE region?

alternatively a good RS (~1994) seems a nice model to go for

[JFReturns]

Maybe Dandy Cars?

http://www.dandycars.com/

I've not used them personally, and have read mixed reviews, but it could be an option for you.

[Gizmo!]

JFReturns said:

Maybe Dandy Cars?

http://www.dandycars.com/

I've not used them personally, and have read mixed reviews, but it could be an option for you.

I've had my Mk1 serviced there twice. Nice chaps, seem to know their stuff, always have a decent stock.

Cars for sale look strongly priced but come with a comprehensive warranty and I would assume everything made A1 before sale, so I guess it depends what you're after.

[geeeman]

thanks

if the car has turbo wil dvla need to be notified?

[Mazdamender]

Have a word with Carl at CBS Autos,what he does not know about turboing these pocket rockets.....

[MX-5 Lazza]

geeeman said:

thanks

if the car has turbo wil dvla need to be notified?

DVLA don't care. If it's a VS Special which a turbo has been bolted onto it's still just a VS Special as far as DVLA are concerned. Your insurance company does need to know about all modifications though

[MX5 Withdrawal]

I am going to be on the lookout for an RS or an FM turbo'd in 3 months time.

This is a very nice car and surpisingly good value in my book.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[skinny]

yep that's jazzgirl from nutz, she's dropped the price from about £5500 and the FM2 is probably the best turbo set-up available - would cost you a fair bit more to do it all yourself

Edited by skinny on Thursday 9th September 13:01

[Gizmo!]

MX5 Withdrawal said:

I am going to be on the lookout for an RS or an FM turbo'd in 3 months time.

This is a very nice car and surpisingly good value in my book.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I've seen that one - looks absolutely perfect for what I'd want. 230bhp is just the right side of silly I reckon.

[MX5 Withdrawal]

Gizmo! said:

MX5 Withdrawal said:

I am going to be on the lookout for an RS or an FM turbo'd in 3 months time.

This is a very nice car and surpisingly good value in my book.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I've seen that one - looks absolutely perfect for what I'd want. 230bhp is just the right side of silly I reckon.

My last 5 was dynoed at 232hp and 206 ft/lbs out of a 1.6. Steve and Ian at TrackTec (the guys who did this one) did the map for mine and it was very safe. I would say 230 is a nice and conservative state of tune on a 1.8 FM2.

Steve, before he put a 2l stroker in his car, was running 250 or so out of a 1.6 on stock internals. that engine then made it's way to "blackbullet"'s car and last I heard was still going strong.

Only thing I would do is upgrade the cooling - but a nice big race rad isnt going to break the bank, especially as it is a bargain.

It's a shame the guy that bought mine binned it and wrote it off, otherwise I would be contacting him to buy it back.

[Willie Dee]

MrV said:

http://www.grahamgoode.com/website/parts.php?websi...

Do you have any more info on this kit? It seems like amazing value compared to the 3k supercharger Moss has if its a complete bolt on kit.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Willie Dee said:

MrV said:

http://www.grahamgoode.com/website/parts.php?websi...

Do you have any more info on this kit? It seems like amazing value compared to the 3k supercharger Moss has if its a complete bolt on kit.

It's as basic an FI kit as you can get. There is fuel enrichment via AFPR (which is ok but not great) and no timing control at all so it will be limited to no more than about 5psi. I guess if all you want is a small power boost and you aren't too fussed about economy then it will be ok. If you want to upgrade it for more power in future though you will end up replacing most of it.

[youngsyr]

GravelBen said:

The best cheapest, easiest, most boring way to do it IMO is buy one with the turbo and hope the hard work is already done and the bugs ironed out.

EFA.

Edited by youngsyr on Tuesday 14th September 12:24

[GravelBen]

youngsyr said:

GravelBen said:

The best cheapest, easiest, most boring way to do it IMO is buy one with the turbo and hope the hard work is already done and the bugs ironed out.

EFA.

Do the research of course, know what you're looking for, buy a car with known history through a club or forum, etc... takes a lot of the having to hope out of the equation.

Personally I bought a car with a much higher level of engine development (head and cam work, tuning etc) than I would have achieved myself, so I would have had to trust someone else to do that work anyway.

Either way you pays your money, you makes your choice.