MX-5 Tuning

Author
Discussion

glynharvey

Original Poster:

6 posts

186 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
Hi All, I treated myself to a 2010 MX-5 2.0 SE, I was missing a bit of open top motoring and being retired this fit the limited funds scenario. I've only had it a month or so and it certainly puts a smile on my face re the open top part BUT I can't help thinking that it could do with a little more ooompf. I don't really want to consider forced induction and would prefer to keep things naturally aspirated. Does anyone know of any specialist in the Midlands area that can do the necessary tweeking to get a sub 6.0 second 0-60 time AND not have to take out a second mortgage to get it done. I should say that the car will never go on a track it's for road use only. I did have a look at BBR but the cost is in the second mortgage category, (for me anyway). They want £600 for an ecu remap that I can get done in Derby for less than a third of that, which gives me cause for concern that their quote for the BBR Super 225 may be equally inflated. Any idea's?

J4CKO

42,841 posts

207 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
Being NA its not super easy, maybe get a fruitier exhaust and an induction kit to make it a bit noisier, and dont forget to rev the nads of it, I know when I drive revvy stuff after diesel or turbos I can tend to change up a bit too early when I have more revs to go.

The Tea Boy

4,129 posts

242 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
Speak to Roddinsons in Sheffield.

The bbr upgrades are meant to be really good.
The re-map on its own won't do a great deal, you'll also need the 421 manifold to free up the breathing 👍 hence the costs are higher. The bbr stuff is expensive but not much more than other mx5 tuners.

glynharvey

Original Poster:

6 posts

186 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the info, I'll give them a try.

slowTwitch

23 posts

113 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
The OEM exhaust manifold is overly restrictive due to a catalytic converter and the primaries being pinched where they enter the cat. A double whammy. Fitting a de-cat manifold and getting a remap is a well trodden path, proven to give 20+bhp. BBR list this as their 'Super 180' kit using their own manifold - this is what I've got. Roddisons as mentioned above offers similar, using the Racing Beat manifold and Blink Motorsprt do their version using the IL Motorsports mani. If I was doing it again, I'd go to either Roddo or Blink. Blink did have a black friday offer @ £900+vat inc. install which is £100 of their usual and already very competative price...though that was last Fri only.

So, definitely worth doing...it should almost be mandatory. And yes, the car will pass it's MOT due to a 2nd cat in the mid-pipe.

glynharvey

Original Poster:

6 posts

186 months

Tuesday 27th November 2018
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice, certainly lots to research and fortunately the whole winter to do it.

5er

4,443 posts

182 months

Thursday 29th November 2018
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Blink's 200 kit is good value IMO.

kostas_miata

46 posts

87 months

Thursday 29th November 2018
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Best value for money performance mod you can do is a Racing Beat or I.L. Motorsport 4-1 manifold and a remap. Should be around the 180-185hp mark and the car will feel a lot better.

DanGPR

989 posts

178 months

Wednesday 5th December 2018
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kostas_miata said:
Best value for money performance mod you can do is a Racing Beat or I.L. Motorsport 4-1 manifold and a remap. Should be around the 180-185hp mark and the car will feel a lot better.
I agree. It makes a significant difference to the drive of the car, there’s not many N/A cars that you will get an extra 20bhp+ from for around a grand. I took mine to skuzzle and along with their torqintake made 160 at the wheels, so approx 190 at the fly.

glynharvey

Original Poster:

6 posts

186 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
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Thanks for the info and advice, I'll let you know how things turn out.

aka_kerrly

12,490 posts

217 months

Thursday 6th December 2018
quotequote all
glynharvey said:
Hi All, I treated myself to a 2010 MX-5 2.0 SE, I was missing a bit of open top motoring and being retired this fit the limited funds scenario. I've only had it a month or so and it certainly puts a smile on my face re the open top part BUT I can't help thinking that it could do with a little more ooompf. I don't really want to consider forced induction and would prefer to keep things naturalily aspirated. Does anyone know of any specialist in the Midlands area that can do the necessary tweeking to get a sub 6.0 second 0-60 time AND not have to take out a second mortgage to get it done. I should say that the car will never go on a track it's for road use only. I did have a look at BBR but the cost is in the second mortgage category, (for me anyway). They want £600 for an ecu remap that I can get done in Derby for less than a third of that, which gives me cause for concern that their quote for the BBR Super 225 may be equally inflated. Any idea's?
You want to shave 2 seconds off the 0-60 time and not spend more than a few hundred quid..
Sell the mx5 and get a Z4 3.0l or Nissan 350z.

Edit to add, if you want to go faster for little £££ shed weight (from the car;) ) & get the best tyres, suspension setup & brake pads. You will have more fun than an extra 10hp will give you.

Edited by aka_kerrly on Thursday 6th December 08:28