Wednesday 29th December 2010

Driven: Mazda MX-5 BBR Cosworth

Blower adds a new dimension to a perennial PH favourite

---

During our recent visit to drive BBR's Mk1 MX-5 turbo we managed to grab a short drive in the firm's Mk3 MX-5 fitted with a supercharger conversion developed with Cosworth.

It's an Eaton 4th generation MP62 blower, with Cosworth's own inlet manifold housing and an air-water intercooler, higher flow fuel injectors and new air box/filter, plus BBR's Interceptor 2010 ECU.

The kit provides a healthy gain on the Mazda's original figures: power rises to 235bhp at 7,130rpm while torque now stands at 190lb ft at 5,260rpm. As of now, BBR's demonstrator is otherwise exactly as Mazda intended.

BBR claims the conversion has a 'manufacturer' type feel to it, and by that they mean it feels as smoothly integrated into the car as if it was just another model in Mazda's range. I'd agree: with a standard exhaust back box, there's very little to signify the additional plumbing under the bonnet save a mildly more aggressive take on the mk3s slightly 'thin' induction note and a faint whine when you're accelerating. If you're looking for something that feels O.E. then this is just such a conversion.

But the car's newfound performance is obvious. Even from just above tick-over the car just pulls and pulls, regardless of gear. It's an a new experience in a Mk3 - you can be on the motorway in sixth, leave the gearlever alone, and still pile on speed in 10 or 20mph increments without effort. But rev it out hard and it's properly rapid, with a real sting towards the red line. Power oversteer is now an everyday reality with the traction control off, especially in slippery conditions; roundabouts are great fun, aided, in particular, by the immediacy of the supercharged torque delivery.

BBR wants £4,995 (fitted) for this transformation (although you can fit it yourself), but it provides a whole new dimension to the car, and an awful lot more speed.

[D4VPC]

£5k just seems a lot of money on a sub £10k car. Nice idea, just a shame about the price.

[Jonny671]

D4VPC said:

£5k just seems a lot of money on a sub £10k car. Nice idea, just a shame about the price.

I personally think thats a very reasonable price for what you get, if you supercharge an older MX5 you'll still be looking at around £3k.

[Marf]

^^ Yup.

Looks like fun.

[Luca Brasi]

Very nice little car.

[Laurel Green]

Small, reasonably light, with a good return of power. What's not to like.

[Jonny671]

Laurel Green said:

Small, reasonably light, with a good return of power. What's not to like.

The cost apparently..

[4Q]

Will this one work though? Or just chew engines up like the last one was reported to..?

[PascalBuyens]

5k for a supercharger conversion and people still complain?

[hornetrider]

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

[hornetrider]

4Q said:

Will this one work though? Or just chew engines up like the last one was reported to..?

I believe BBR are now using the proving mapping from the States (poor mapping is what chewed them up, not weak internals as originally thought). There are many owners running these conversions in the States now with no issues.

[Jonny671]

hornetrider said:

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

Please can you get it done and then do another Brecon Hoon with passenger rides and we'll do our own write up.. Excellent idea

[Rob Stewart]

Need to see a full test drive and write up on this before I could commit. Plus mine is a new car so thier is the warranty to think about. However this does sound like what the car needs to make it a real performer.

[ian2144]

hornetrider said:

Argh, can't help feeling a little disappointed with this review, it's a little thin on detail. We all know it has a bit more pep, figures would be good or more feedback on how it drives.

Oh well.

With almost the same BHP as a Honda S2000 and 100 Kgs less in weight, it got to be quick motor !!!!

[suffolk009]

Just needs someone to make a Superlight bodywork kit (as Mazda did on that show car) and I'd want one.

[Chicane-UK]

PascalBuyens said:

5k for a supercharger conversion and people still complain?

I don't know if people realise just how little gain you used to get for so little horsepower when it came to N/A tuning. Flowing heads, porting and polishing, cams, etc all used to be expensive work and for comparatively small gains.

£5k all in for this kind of power increase is an absolute bargain.

[Dagnut]

You have to think if mazda brought out a 235bhp version there would be more than a 5k premium on it...as some said its now got S2000 power..with a lot more torque and less weight its going to be a quick car

[hornetrider]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2341...

This is a review from the ill-fated Litchfield S/C conversion from a couple of years back - Evo reckon mid 5's to 60. That is seriously quick! If the reliability issues have been solved it's a no-brainer.

[The real Apache]

I like it!

[mikey k]

Well over due!
I spent about the same to get 100 BHP on my S2000
I'll bet this is a hoot to drive now!

[Gizmo!]

Interesting that this was fitted to a Mk3. As noted above the Mk3 engine was supposed to be a bit weak and the Mk3.5 was strengthened...

Also interesting that BBR are doing supercharger kits now as opposed to their original turbo kits for the Mk1...