Track Modifying an MX5?

[RobM77]

First up, accept my apologies if this post is running over things that have already been covered on the forum! I'm interested in modifying an MX5 for the track and everything that I can find is based around road use.

I've just returned from my second trip to the Nurburgring in my beloved Elise and I'm beginning to worry about running it at the ring and on trackdays due to its value (to me!) and the fact that it is an immaculate road car that I really cherish. My racing Caterham could be made road legal, but even if I made the mods it'd be a total pain to drive it to the ring and it's best kept just for racing. So, my mind's turned towards getting something in between - i.e. road legal with a CD player and a boot, but focused to track driving. I'd like to the car to be involving and well balanced, with excellent handling and enough power to make things interesting (i.e. over 200bhp per tonne, 60 in around 5 or less and a top end of over 130mph). My questions are as follows:

• My memory of driving road going MX5s was that they were lovely, but not with the level of involvement or rawness that I like in a car. Can this involvement be generated by modifying the car?
• Are parts like competition bushes, track biased suspension, anti rolls bars etc available?
• How much lower will the seating position go if I bolt in some racing bucket seats? I like to sit 'in' a car.
• Are there any companies out there that specialise in MX5 tuning for the track? I am most definitely not a wide boy and I'm just interested in track performance, rather than bodykits, neon lights etc
• Can MX5s get to over 200bhp without turbocharging them? (Sorry, but personally I'm not a fan of turbocharging). Maybe a light amount of supercharging coupled with some internal engine mods?
• Mk1 or Mk2?
• If I fit a roll cage, will the hood still go on? I'd like to retain some practicality to get to track days.

many thanks.

Edited by RobM77 on Friday 24th August 16:51

[RobM77]

Thanks very much for your posts - very helpful indeed.

[RobM77]

SuperRetard said:

I've got a caged MX5 mk1 on Bilstein dampers, std brakes and std power (nearly)... it's more than capable on track.

Check it out on my MX5 pages at bridgetogantry.com

Also there's a video of it in action here

Mine is 100bhp at the wheels with a full system (headers and back) and a trick airbox. So n/a 200bhp would deffo need a new motor! That's still good for 127mph through the foxhole though... picture here

I've got a carbing 6-point cage, cost me £200 off ebay and the hood fits over it no sweat. Before that I had another £200 JDM cage that fitted under the hood.

Bucket seats need to be small, as do harness straps. Ummm... can't think of much else... I like the mk1. It's my favourite!

Edited by SuperRetard on Wednesday 29th August 23:43

127mph at the bottom of the foxhole is good going I'm apexing Aremberg at about 60mph in the Elise and only just hit that by the bottom. Mind you, I do drive like a sissy at the ring.

I think you were there when I last drove the ring actually - Sunday the 19th of August? I was stuck behind something mundane that didn't see me at Adenau Forst, and for some reason the second you turned up he moved over!