Mk1 turbo, pros and cons?

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Evening all, I'm viewing a very tidy 270 ish bhp mk1 turbo this coming weekend and I'd like to hear some owners experiences.

For a while it will likely be a daily driver. 5 mile commute on B roads then some fun driving. I've had sub 20mpg cars in the past so hopefully fuel wouldn't be too much of a shock, all the work has been done to an exceptional standard with top quality parts and no repairs necessary. I have good knowledge of the build and know the owner and several mutual friends so not concerned about the particular car. More trying to learn what they are like generally.

Ive had a standard mk2 1.6 before and loved it but I have no personal experience of a turbo mx5. I've had this much power in other cars but not RWD or in anything so light and raw.

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OP here. I now own a turbo mk1 making 270bhp with a sizeable Borg Warner turbo. it’s awaiting a built engine and a handful of other little bits before the boost gets wound up for proper levels of insanity. It’s completely different to a standard car but still huge fun, basically DO IT!

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pti said:

Drive it fix it repeat said:

OP here. I now own a turbo mk1 making 270bhp with a sizeable Borg Warner turbo. it’s awaiting a built engine and a handful of other little bits before the boost gets wound up for proper levels of insanity. It’s completely different to a standard car but still huge fun, basically DO IT!

Pictures, man!!

I have just snapped these in my work break so you’ll have to forgive the filthy car and crap phone pics and winter wheels, it’s in daily use at the moment. Propably the least flattering I can make it look haha. It has a huge spec...

borg Warner turbo
Skuzzle performance clutch
1050cc injectors
3 inch custom exhaust no cat
Mk2 1.6 engine
Cobra bucket seats
5race roll cage
Lightened fly wheel
Engine brace
coil overs
Huge inter cooler
Uprated pads and discs

There’s 3 times that list again but without checking paperwork that’s the main things that come to mind. It was always meant to be a
4-500 bhp build so everything is done big and done right. Just needs a few small bits and a strong engine basically. The naff rear lights are going back to standard, the roll cage is going to be colour matched to the body and I’m considering a set of original alloys. Basically I want it to look reasonably standard but with a sting in the tail.

Edited by Drive it fix it repeat on Tuesday 8th December 10:34

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Zed. said:

Drive it fix it repeat said:

It was always meant to be a 4-500 bhp build so everything is done big and done right.

thats an awful lot for a 1.6, it would be an awful lot for a 1.8

Rich.

Yeah agreed, if or when it gets a built engine mid to high 300’s is as far as I imagine I’ll ever go. Even at 270 it seriously flys.

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On a dry road/track with my semi slicks on I wouldn’t be surprised if it creeps into the 4’s, it’s about 285 bhp per tonne at the moment. Top speed I dont know, whatever the limiter is in fifth.

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GravelBen said:

Drive it fix it repeat said:

Top speed I dont know, whatever the limiter is in fifth.

IIRC I calculated it from the gearing when I had mine at around 235km/h (146mph), that had an NB 5-speed in an NA but I don't know if the ratios were any different to an NA gearbox.

Didn't take too long to get there either (on a track of course officer). JDM speedo pegged itself at 180km/h but the revs kept winding out.

Thanks for that, interesting. Mine has a mk2 engine so presumably mk2 box aswell. I’ve never kept on it much past probably 125-130 as there’s no need but it’s still pulling very hard. Speedo hits the stop at 115 so after that I’m guessing.

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ShinyPsyduck said:

Cheer guys. I really need to get myself in one to see what they are like. I drove a NC 2.0 Sport the other day for the first time in a couple of years but I didnt enjoy it as much as I once did.

We are opposite ends of the country unfortunately as I’d happily take you for a spin. I’ve taken people out before who wanted to experience a car, it’s our duty to help out fellow car nuts IMO. Sure someone local will help you out if you ask around.

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It’s a fair question, it largely comes down to the quality of parts used and how well they have been put together. Normally I would have built my own as then I trust my own choices. Just coincidence that a mate who is far more capable than me and with deeper pockets decided to sell his father son project just when I was looking for another car. It’s so understressed with the power it’s making currently and done with top drawer parts it should be pretty solid. I doubt I’ll track it but I do give my cars some stick fairly often and it’s been mechanically sound so far. I could see issues arising if you are trying to max out a cheaper setup or smaller turbo, td04, t25 etc.

There’s no avoiding the fact that the turbo isn’t something you can ignore, it defines the driving experience. Elephant in the room if you want. I’ve had a standard 5 before and they have a great character and innocent charm about them. Don’t think mine could be called innocent anymore, it’s about as subtle as a punch in the face but it’s a different type of car and a different type of fun. I try and remember it’s a 27 year old car and bordering on classic status so try and drive it accodingly with some hoonage when suitable.

A lot of the issues will be self inflicted on turbo mx5’s I’d dare say as they are the sort of car if you own one you are probably going. Be giving it some abuse sometimes and any car will give you issues then. They are very easy to work on so most jobs are pretty straight forward if you know a bit about working on cars.

The only turbo 5 I know that is an endless source of issues is one of my friends as he was chasing power numbers first and foremost and killed several turbos and other bits on the way.