Turbo my Mk1 vs TVR Chimaera
Discussion
I've had this little beauty SORNed since we moved house/daughter was born in 2021. I am feeling out of touch with it (and cars in general tbh) but the plan is to make some time this winter to show it some love and get it ready to turbo.
Current plans:
- suspension refresh, new bushes all round, paint wishbones etc. Not dropping subframes.
- engine mounts
- alloy radiator
- cambelt change
I am keen to keep it sensible as I know how these things like to snowball and being time poor before you know it will be 10 years time and it will still be sat in the garage.
I also know it needs some attention on the rear sills, should I get that looked at before I delve into all of the above?
Then...a modest turbo set up. Looking for a reliable 220-230bhp something like that. I absolutely love how it drives N/A, and part of me is worried about losing that character, but then I also can't stop thinking about how nuts that extra bhp/torque will make it, and that I might not have the chance to own something with such a raw driving experience unless I do it.
However, I do have a hankering for a V8...just for the noise and sense of occasion, I do also think the Chimaera looks fantastic.
It will be very much a weekend toy and, as I mentioned I am time poor so I need reliability, I'm not naive that cars require maintenance and sometimes break but I don't want to spend excessive amounts of time fixing niggles when I could be driving it. Does this write the TVR off?
So, if you had the choice of either one to hop in on a Sunday morning once every 1/2/3 months and turn the key, which one is going to not let me down?
I'm biased as I have a similar car - a Mk1 1.8 with a turbo set up producing about 230bhp. I can't emphasise enough what a blast it is to drive. The issue with the Mk1 is that the chassis is so good that its screaming out for more power. Yes it will lose some of the Mk1s original character, like how you can drive it flat out everywhere without ever really going that fast. Try that in a turbo'd car and you'll lose your license or end up in a hedge backwards. But it replaces that with a something that is guaranteed to get the adrenalin going in a way that even my Porsche 996 can't.
But definitely get your bodywork sorted out first. Pointless chucking money at a turbo set up when you have rust repairs looming and a car with extra performance will benefit from a very good shell anyway.
The only downside is that the turbo kit is just the beginning: I ended up fitting a bigger radiator, bigger brakes, an uprated clutch, better suspension and I'm about to fit a six speed box. Still just brilliant to drive though and its quite good fun terrorising supposedly faster cars in an unassuming looking MX5.
But definitely get your bodywork sorted out first. Pointless chucking money at a turbo set up when you have rust repairs looming and a car with extra performance will benefit from a very good shell anyway.
The only downside is that the turbo kit is just the beginning: I ended up fitting a bigger radiator, bigger brakes, an uprated clutch, better suspension and I'm about to fit a six speed box. Still just brilliant to drive though and its quite good fun terrorising supposedly faster cars in an unassuming looking MX5.
I had a Chimaera and although it is an event noise wise it doesn't come anywhere close to a Mk1 Mx5 handling and balance wise.
I.also had a standard Mk 1 and it hit the spot for me although I did find it slow.
I sold it to buy an Elise last year and to he honest I wish I'd kept it and either done a Turbo or S/C conversion.
The Chimaera is more of a tourer with V8 noise and grunt, still very enjoyable but if you put the 2 cars side by side and offered me the keys for a spirited b Road drive I'd be in the Mx5.
People say you spoil the Mx5 with a Turbo so that I can't advise on that really, I always fancied the S/C route but it is a lot more expensive to do.
Your car looks cracking by the way, that's a rare colour.
I.also had a standard Mk 1 and it hit the spot for me although I did find it slow.
I sold it to buy an Elise last year and to he honest I wish I'd kept it and either done a Turbo or S/C conversion.
The Chimaera is more of a tourer with V8 noise and grunt, still very enjoyable but if you put the 2 cars side by side and offered me the keys for a spirited b Road drive I'd be in the Mx5.
People say you spoil the Mx5 with a Turbo so that I can't advise on that really, I always fancied the S/C route but it is a lot more expensive to do.
Your car looks cracking by the way, that's a rare colour.
Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 14th March 09:32
Belle427 said:
I had a Chimaera and although it is an event noise wise it doesn't come anywhere close to a Mk1 Mx5 handling and balance wise.
I.also had a standard Mk 1 and it hit the spot for me although I did find it slow.
I sold it to buy an Elise last year and to he honest I wish I'd kept it and either done a Turbo or S/C conversion.
The Chimaera is more of a tourer with V8 noise and grunt, still very enjoyable but if you put the 2 cars side by side and offered me the keys for a spirited b Road drive I'd be in the Mx5.
People say you spoil the Mx5 with a Turbo so that I can't advise on that really, I always fancied the S/C route but it is a lot more expensive to do.
Your car looks cracking by the way, that's a rare colour.
Yes, I have read quite a few comments putting the TVR more in the tourer category. Obviously the handling of the MX5 is superb and you are right on a quiet b road it is hard to beat for smiles per mile.I.also had a standard Mk 1 and it hit the spot for me although I did find it slow.
I sold it to buy an Elise last year and to he honest I wish I'd kept it and either done a Turbo or S/C conversion.
The Chimaera is more of a tourer with V8 noise and grunt, still very enjoyable but if you put the 2 cars side by side and offered me the keys for a spirited b Road drive I'd be in the Mx5.
People say you spoil the Mx5 with a Turbo so that I can't advise on that really, I always fancied the S/C route but it is a lot more expensive to do.
Your car looks cracking by the way, that's a rare colour.
Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 14th March 09:32
I've toyed between SC/ITB/Turbo over the years but after a lot of reading came to the conclusion that turbo is the most reliable/least faffy. SC/ITB owners groups always seemed to be riddled with issues no one had really solved or driveability issues.
Ref colour - thank you. It's a Eunos G-Ltd which apparently only were 1500 produced.
Sbloxxy said:
I'm biased as I have a similar car - a Mk1 1.8 with a turbo set up producing about 230bhp. I can't emphasise enough what a blast it is to drive. The issue with the Mk1 is that the chassis is so good that its screaming out for more power. Yes it will lose some of the Mk1s original character, like how you can drive it flat out everywhere without ever really going that fast. Try that in a turbo'd car and you'll lose your license or end up in a hedge backwards. But it replaces that with a something that is guaranteed to get the adrenalin going in a way that even my Porsche 996 can't.
But definitely get your bodywork sorted out first. Pointless chucking money at a turbo set up when you have rust repairs looming and a car with extra performance will benefit from a very good shell anyway.
The only downside is that the turbo kit is just the beginning: I ended up fitting a bigger radiator, bigger brakes, an uprated clutch, better suspension and I'm about to fit a six speed box. Still just brilliant to drive though and its quite good fun terrorising supposedly faster cars in an unassuming looking MX5.
That is great to hear. With standard power, the ability to bury your foot to the floor for ages and never really go over 80 is certainly one of it's charms. I think it's hilarious how fast it feels at slow speeds as well.But definitely get your bodywork sorted out first. Pointless chucking money at a turbo set up when you have rust repairs looming and a car with extra performance will benefit from a very good shell anyway.
The only downside is that the turbo kit is just the beginning: I ended up fitting a bigger radiator, bigger brakes, an uprated clutch, better suspension and I'm about to fit a six speed box. Still just brilliant to drive though and its quite good fun terrorising supposedly faster cars in an unassuming looking MX5.
I wasn't going to turbo before getting the rust sorted, I was going to do my list of bits first, suspension arms, cambelt etc. Mainly because I didn't want to have to tip toe around lovely fresh paint work in the garage whilst I do the work.
Its worth planning it and doing the job properly as ive heard of some horror stories with people trying to cut corners and blow their engines.
I looked here when i was thinking about it, im aware you can source parts yourself cheaper but id rather have all the bits in one go.
https://motorsport-electronics.co.uk/product/mazda...
I looked here when i was thinking about it, im aware you can source parts yourself cheaper but id rather have all the bits in one go.
https://motorsport-electronics.co.uk/product/mazda...
My Mk1 Eunos S-Spec was as it came from Japan and was a hoot on track despite the 115 bhp. Sold it to a mate who fitted a GReddy turbo kit which I reckon spoiled the car. The LSD was overwhelmed such that on-track it just lit-up the unloaded rear tyre and couldn't put any power down. I found it laggy and frustrating. Similar car with a Jackson Racing supercharger was more in keeping with the Mk1's responsive ethos when I drove it on track.
Had a non-PAS Chimaera 400 for years. The steering is heavy and quite slow on the non-PAS cars (TVRs with PAS are slightly more direct). Agree that the TVR doesn't have the immediacy of a proper sports car but it was fast, sounded absolutely epic and was loads more of an event to drive than a 4-pot MX5.
I have an NC3.5 Sport Tech at the moment which I'm using as my daily driver and 2024 sprint/hillclimb car. I'm so happy with it as a 'sports car' that I think my VX220 might be surplus to requirements and may be replaced with another V8 TVR just to have the noise and theatre back. I think there's room to have both the Mazda and Tiv. Neither car on its own is the ideal solution!
Had a non-PAS Chimaera 400 for years. The steering is heavy and quite slow on the non-PAS cars (TVRs with PAS are slightly more direct). Agree that the TVR doesn't have the immediacy of a proper sports car but it was fast, sounded absolutely epic and was loads more of an event to drive than a 4-pot MX5.
I have an NC3.5 Sport Tech at the moment which I'm using as my daily driver and 2024 sprint/hillclimb car. I'm so happy with it as a 'sports car' that I think my VX220 might be surplus to requirements and may be replaced with another V8 TVR just to have the noise and theatre back. I think there's room to have both the Mazda and Tiv. Neither car on its own is the ideal solution!
I agree you could go too far and make it less enjoyable, problem is NA tuning is pretty expensive for the gains really.
Ive not researched it but would guess with a small Turbo the lag isnt so bad but personally ive always favoured the S/C route, not sure why people cant get it right.
A good watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TajCnGZlSg4
My Chimaera didnt have power steering and i wasnt a fan of it, i did the Subaru conversion which improved it a lot.
You can do an electric adjustable conversion where you can alter the sensitivity but this is quite a lot of work.
If you did buy one try to find one that has the latest Bilstein suspension fitted and a good geo check or budget for it, makes a big difference.
Oh and check tyre age too, premium rubber is scarce for the standard wheel sizes so you usually end up with Uniroyal Rainsport or Toyo.
Ive not researched it but would guess with a small Turbo the lag isnt so bad but personally ive always favoured the S/C route, not sure why people cant get it right.
A good watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TajCnGZlSg4
My Chimaera didnt have power steering and i wasnt a fan of it, i did the Subaru conversion which improved it a lot.
You can do an electric adjustable conversion where you can alter the sensitivity but this is quite a lot of work.
If you did buy one try to find one that has the latest Bilstein suspension fitted and a good geo check or budget for it, makes a big difference.
Oh and check tyre age too, premium rubber is scarce for the standard wheel sizes so you usually end up with Uniroyal Rainsport or Toyo.
Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 17th March 07:46
Another c230bhp 1.8 turbo Mk1 owner here. To echo the comments above, the Mk1 isn't at all overwhelmed - it's a joy as an NA 1.6, and it's a huge amount of fun as a boosted 1.8. The character is different but not lost, perhaps more suited to a weekend toy than regular use, but that's why I drive an EV during the week.
Try to get out in one to experience what they are like, even just as a passenger - if you are ever in the NW, give me a shout.
Try to get out in one to experience what they are like, even just as a passenger - if you are ever in the NW, give me a shout.
The beauty of the extra power for me is that you dont have to drive it like a nutter all the time, the extra torque it gets just make it a much more pleasurable car to drive.
The only thing putting me off buying another and doing the conversion is the costs involved really, ive spent thousands on mods over the years on various cars only to then sell on and let someone else enjoy.
Out of all the cars ive owned to date though the Mk 1 is the one i miss the most and i keep trawling facebook marketplace to see if something pops up locally!
Im at a strange point in my car life at the moment, im considering selling the lotus to go back to a daily driver but part of me thinks a nice Mx5 build is the way to go with a shed for my daily boring commute.
The only thing putting me off buying another and doing the conversion is the costs involved really, ive spent thousands on mods over the years on various cars only to then sell on and let someone else enjoy.
Out of all the cars ive owned to date though the Mk 1 is the one i miss the most and i keep trawling facebook marketplace to see if something pops up locally!
Im at a strange point in my car life at the moment, im considering selling the lotus to go back to a daily driver but part of me thinks a nice Mx5 build is the way to go with a shed for my daily boring commute.
Belle427 said:
The only thing putting me off buying another and doing the conversion is the costs involved really, ive spent thousands on mods over the years on various cars only to then sell on and let someone else enjoy.
Thats exactly how I bought mine: someone had just paid M-Tech (highly recommended) to do the turbo conversion (around £4500) and then sold it. I bagged it for £5500 - and its an RS-Ltd too so I reckon a bit of a bargain. Mind you I've spent plenty on it since then.I've got a turbo NB, is a thread running here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's great & I've honed it for my use, it's fast but I do lament it's 4 pot sound track tbh. I've driven a v6 Rocketeer, is a lovely engine note.
If I was doing it all again for my road & track use I'd go the Lexus v8 transplant route, for road only I've actually considered a Chimera, is a nice v8 waft & a very different feel to an mx5, prehistoric old engine but it does make a lovely noise.
You might want to consider a vx220 or Elise too, I had a vx on Nitrons & it was an agile fun thing, but I enjoyed the mx5 more, but they are great, needs the inlet & exhaust noise uncorked a tad, but then so does a stock mx5.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It's great & I've honed it for my use, it's fast but I do lament it's 4 pot sound track tbh. I've driven a v6 Rocketeer, is a lovely engine note.
If I was doing it all again for my road & track use I'd go the Lexus v8 transplant route, for road only I've actually considered a Chimera, is a nice v8 waft & a very different feel to an mx5, prehistoric old engine but it does make a lovely noise.
You might want to consider a vx220 or Elise too, I had a vx on Nitrons & it was an agile fun thing, but I enjoyed the mx5 more, but they are great, needs the inlet & exhaust noise uncorked a tad, but then so does a stock mx5.
Thats my only gripe really having owned a few V8 cars, everything else is a bit of a disappointment afterwards.
My Elise 111R even with a fancy intake and exhaust doesnt really do it for me tbh even though it is a riot to drive.
Im guessing the Turbo makes the engine note quieter so some exhaust/intake mods are critical too.
My Elise 111R even with a fancy intake and exhaust doesnt really do it for me tbh even though it is a riot to drive.
Im guessing the Turbo makes the engine note quieter so some exhaust/intake mods are critical too.
Intake wise, I have a cone filter mounted direct to turbo, so that sounds great, plenty of induction sound plus whooshing and chuffing from BOV.
I have a 2.5" exhaust system with 200cel cat, that is a bit *too* loud so may change the backbox to lose some drone on Motorway. Great on a run out, less so on the drive *to* a meet or run out!
I have a 2.5" exhaust system with 200cel cat, that is a bit *too* loud so may change the backbox to lose some drone on Motorway. Great on a run out, less so on the drive *to* a meet or run out!
ian_c_uk said:
Intake wise, I have a cone filter mounted direct to turbo, so that sounds great, plenty of induction sound plus whooshing and chuffing from BOV.
I have a 2.5" exhaust system with 200cel cat, that is a bit *too* loud so may change the backbox to lose some drone on Motorway. Great on a run out, less so on the drive *to* a meet or run out!
Yes, all a turbo set up produces a variety of exciting sounds.I have a 2.5" exhaust system with 200cel cat, that is a bit *too* loud so may change the backbox to lose some drone on Motorway. Great on a run out, less so on the drive *to* a meet or run out!
Been roughly pricing it up and looks like a ballpark figure of £6.5k by the time I do turbo kit and ecu, clutch, wheels and tyres, exhaust, bit of rust repair and mapping.
It's worth it right...
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