Discussion
I have owned a mark 1 mx-5 type s in the past which was on the blistein shocks, lowered etc and was a frantic but fun drive....I am looking at returning to the mx-5 fold and have the chance to pick up an L reg uk model. How does this compare to my previous model? Will drive it asap but just wanted some quick info. Cheers
Depends on the specification of the L reg model; do you know if it's a special edition etc?
From the sound of it your previous model had the bilstein suspention which was fitted to imported special editions and, I think, and optional extra on the normal ones.
If you have some more details, perhaps a link to the advert, I might be able to be more helpful.
From the sound of it your previous model had the bilstein suspention which was fitted to imported special editions and, I think, and optional extra on the normal ones.
If you have some more details, perhaps a link to the advert, I might be able to be more helpful.
swansea v6 said:
Do not have a link tot he advert but is is being sold as standard uk model. Will an L reg be the detuned model???
Possibly, as the 1.8's started appearing around then. The timing adjustment mod, however, is easy to do and regains the power so I wouldn't worry too much about it.I thnk the extras that it's got, being a UK model, will be modifications made afterwards. If he's swapped the diff and suspention I would imagine that it's a full-fat 114BHP 1.6 too.
Personally, I'd go see the car and judge it on it's individual merits rather than looking at the model designation. A well sorted basic UK model will be just as good as an imported special addition with all the kit from new.
Do, however, make sure you give the sills and arches a good inspection; UK models suffered from rot more since they endured our salty winters for their entire life, instead of just since they were imported.
Does the timing mod (advancing the ignition I guess??) return that much power??? Cheers for the info, hope to book a test drive this weekend just wanted a heads up as ive not driven a standard mx-5 yet only one on blisteins, so just wondered how they compared?? Also been looking at RS Ltd, anyone driven one of these???
swansea v6 said:
Does the timing mod (advancing the ignition I guess??) return that much power??? Cheers for the info, hope to book a test drive this weekend just wanted a heads up as ive not driven a standard mx-5 yet only one on blisteins, so just wondered how they compared?? Also been looking at RS Ltd, anyone driven one of these???
Yep, ignition timing, returns the engine to 114BHP from 90. I don't beleive there was any difference in the models other than that.Standard suspensioned models are too spongey and boatlike for my liking; promotes hard driving for more novice drivers but isn't enjoyable if you know what you're doing. Replacing the suspension isn't a hard or expensive job, however, and personally I found the Bilsteins too hard for road use.
RS ltd. is the holy grail of the non-turbo/supercharged models, with lots of performance goodies you couldn't get as optional extra's. In addition to the bilteins, LSD etc. you get recaro buckets and a lightweight flywheel. They're sought after and go for more money than the other models, and they look the dogs b
ks to boot. If you can stretch to one, get one!Piefacemate you've got completely the wrong end of the stick regarding igntion timing and power.
For the purposes of this debate There are two 1.6 engines available - original 114bhp, and the later 90bhp which came about after the 1.8 was introduced in 93/94.
it is NOT realistically possible to tune the 90bhp engine to the same power as the 114bhp version. they are inherently different engines, different cams etc etc.
The 90bhp is to be avoided, is the general consensus.
The ignition timing 'Mod' is something different and can be applied to all the Mk1 engines.
I am personally against calling it a 'mod' though as IMO its something that should be part of a maintenance schedule, just as checking your plugs would be.
For the purposes of this debate There are two 1.6 engines available - original 114bhp, and the later 90bhp which came about after the 1.8 was introduced in 93/94.
it is NOT realistically possible to tune the 90bhp engine to the same power as the 114bhp version. they are inherently different engines, different cams etc etc.
The 90bhp is to be avoided, is the general consensus.
The ignition timing 'Mod' is something different and can be applied to all the Mk1 engines.
I am personally against calling it a 'mod' though as IMO its something that should be part of a maintenance schedule, just as checking your plugs would be.
snotrag said:
Piefacemate you've got completely the wrong end of the stick regarding igntion timing and power.
For the purposes of this debate There are two 1.6 engines available - original 114bhp, and the later 90bhp which came about after the 1.8 was introduced in 93/94.
it is NOT realistically possible to tune the 90bhp engine to the same power as the 114bhp version. they are inherently different engines, different cams etc etc.
The 90bhp is to be avoided, is the general consensus.
The ignition timing 'Mod' is something different and can be applied to all the Mk1 engines.
I am personally against calling it a 'mod' though as IMO its something that should be part of a maintenance schedule, just as checking your plugs would be.
Happy to stand corrected, my knowledge is cobbled together from god knows where!For the purposes of this debate There are two 1.6 engines available - original 114bhp, and the later 90bhp which came about after the 1.8 was introduced in 93/94.
it is NOT realistically possible to tune the 90bhp engine to the same power as the 114bhp version. they are inherently different engines, different cams etc etc.
The 90bhp is to be avoided, is the general consensus.
The ignition timing 'Mod' is something different and can be applied to all the Mk1 engines.
I am personally against calling it a 'mod' though as IMO its something that should be part of a maintenance schedule, just as checking your plugs would be.
I was under the impression, however, that the BP-ZE engine introduced in the '94 onwards 1.8 variants was just used for that model, and the original B6 unit carried on until '97 when the MK2 was introduced. I thoguht that the only reason it was detuned was for the UK market where they wanted to introduce a more affordable model, but due to similar performance (10BHP difference, but the 1.8 being heavier) had to alter it to make them more competative.
Is there a deffinative guide somewhere? Am interested to learn more!
I think what you've just said there is correct - its certainly how i know it - my point was that although its the same basic engine, theres enough changes (ISTr different cams, ecu etc) in the low power version to make it not really a viable option to simply tune it back up to full power as it were. Hence the advice generally tends to be just buy the right one in the first place.
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