300hp MX5 (mk2)
Discussion
Tell me how *you* would achieve that.
It can be a force inducted 1.8 or an engine transplant of some sort, but either way, I'm looking for inspiration & ideas.
Cost details would be good too.
Some background: My Mk2 1.8 is a '98 car in near immaculate condition, with only 64k on the clock. Optimistically, it's worth maybe 2k ish? So my rationale is that it's not worth flogging such a nice example for that little, so I'm looking at options of what to do with it.
Ideas are ranging from chucking a grand at it with some small tweaks here and there, to throwing sensibilities to the wind and turning it into something really interesting.
It can be a force inducted 1.8 or an engine transplant of some sort, but either way, I'm looking for inspiration & ideas.
Cost details would be good too.
Some background: My Mk2 1.8 is a '98 car in near immaculate condition, with only 64k on the clock. Optimistically, it's worth maybe 2k ish? So my rationale is that it's not worth flogging such a nice example for that little, so I'm looking at options of what to do with it.
Ideas are ranging from chucking a grand at it with some small tweaks here and there, to throwing sensibilities to the wind and turning it into something really interesting.
Gaz Guzzler over on PlanetMX5 is selling his V8 mk1, but failing that he's going to sell the engine separately, if you're interested in going down that route. I also know someone who is wanting to sell their MP62 supercharger (from a mk2) and also has a TDR intercooler up for sale. As the poster above said, look on MX5Nutz for all things FI.
I wouldn't bother aiming for over 250bhp. 250 is plenty to make it quicker than most other cars you will meet and it will keep up with proper "supercars" on the road. Aiming for over 250bhp means a fully built engine which will at least double the price for very little realistic gain.
TheJimi said:
Tell me how *you* would achieve that.
It can be a force inducted 1.8 or an engine transplant of some sort, but either way, I'm looking for inspiration & ideas.
Cost details would be good too.
Some background: My Mk2 1.8 is a '98 car in near immaculate condition, with only 64k on the clock. Optimistically, it's worth maybe 2k ish? So my rationale is that it's not worth flogging such a nice example for that little, so I'm looking at options of what to do with it.
Ideas are ranging from chucking a grand at it with some small tweaks here and there, to throwing sensibilities to the wind and turning it into something really interesting.
Ger someone with an MX5 with FI already added before you start flinging numbers around.It can be a force inducted 1.8 or an engine transplant of some sort, but either way, I'm looking for inspiration & ideas.
Cost details would be good too.
Some background: My Mk2 1.8 is a '98 car in near immaculate condition, with only 64k on the clock. Optimistically, it's worth maybe 2k ish? So my rationale is that it's not worth flogging such a nice example for that little, so I'm looking at options of what to do with it.
Ideas are ranging from chucking a grand at it with some small tweaks here and there, to throwing sensibilities to the wind and turning it into something really interesting.
220 - 250 is perfectly achievable on the stock motor reliably and is damn quick.
Remember the MX5 weighs circa 1 ton, whereas modern cars whilst having higher outputs weigh much much more.
I've had a joyride in a 300bhp+ MX5, it was a dry hot summers day, and it span up 3rd gear like it was 1st in the wet.
i'd go pretty standard - fully forged, big turbo, megasquirt.
might start getting to teh limit of the stock 6-speed box and torsen diff towards 300bhp tho, so that might affect the decision.
Then again, engine transplant, new box, and new diff, brings its own complexity.
i'd not get too hung up on teh numbers, rather build to the realistic spec of standard parts. the difference between 280 and 300bhp is probably not huge in teh real world.
might start getting to teh limit of the stock 6-speed box and torsen diff towards 300bhp tho, so that might affect the decision.
Then again, engine transplant, new box, and new diff, brings its own complexity.
i'd not get too hung up on teh numbers, rather build to the realistic spec of standard parts. the difference between 280 and 300bhp is probably not huge in teh real world.
Done 10k miles now on six speed with the cars original 99-00 LSD without any problems. Just over 300HP at 20 PSI on the dyno with GT2836RS turbo and Megasquirt. Manley rods and Wossner low compression pistons and a slightly upgraded oil pump (steel rotors). Clutch is a weak point, the slightly upgraded organic lasted 3000 miles and I'm now on a paddle clutch which is surprisingly civilised. Car was rotten as a peach so have started grafting it all onto an new Exocet chassis. Should be fun for a track day.
It's fair to say I don't hammer the hell out of my cars so the fact that the diff and box are OK may not be an indication that they will be OK for everyone.
It's fair to say I don't hammer the hell out of my cars so the fact that the diff and box are OK may not be an indication that they will be OK for everyone.
fatjon said:
Done 10k miles now on six speed with the cars original 99-00 LSD without any problems. Just over 300HP at 20 PSI on the dyno with GT2836RS turbo and Megasquirt. Manley rods and Wossner low compression pistons and a slightly upgraded oil pump (steel rotors). Clutch is a weak point, the slightly upgraded organic lasted 3000 miles and I'm now on a paddle clutch which is surprisingly civilised. Car was rotten as a peach so have started grafting it all onto an new Exocet chassis. Should be fun for a track day.
It's fair to say I don't hammer the hell out of my cars so the fact that the diff and box are OK may not be an indication that they will be OK for everyone.
300hp in an Exocet would be interesting!It's fair to say I don't hammer the hell out of my cars so the fact that the diff and box are OK may not be an indication that they will be OK for everyone.
TheJimi said:
rotarymazda said:
TheJimi said:
Tell me how *you* would achieve that.
My Mk1 already has a 240bhp ported rotary in it so I would get a small turbo added, 5 psi should be enough to get past 300bhp.300 at the crank with a stock bottom end isn't totally unrealistic, but 300 at the wheels is a different story. 250 at the wheels is about the upper limit of the stock bottom end. V8 isn't the only swap option either... There are people swapping in rotaries and v6s... As for realistic, you will have cooling issues with a rotary producing any real power in that car, and for a V engine, quadcam engines will be super trouble to fit. Flyin Miata puts LS motors in, which aren't too common in europe. Anything cast iron will weigh down the front of the car enough to effect handling. I would think a rover V8 would fit fairly easily, but I don't know what trans or rear end you would use. In the US, people pay more than the value of their car to get 300 hp at the wheels and that's doing the work yourself, it will be more expensive in the UK just because the options are different.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff