MK3 1.8 Supercharger?

[CTE]

I am interested in buying an new MX5 for my daily business car (I am bored with my excellent Golf GT diesel). I have always liked the cars, but whilst some I have driven have handled beautifully, most have been a bit uninspiring. I put this down (now I know a bit) down to the suspension set up, and using the correct Eibach springs/ride height etc.
The other dissappointment has been the power, or lack of. I do not expect supercar performance, but would definately like a bit more Zing. I test drove a 2.0ltr about a year ago with the 5 speed gearbox, and found that to be a bit too tame. I could see how the 6 speed box would alter the ratios, allowing the engine to rev quicker, giving the impression of greater acceleration, but obviously offering little in the real world.

Now the main question; is the MK3 1.8 the same engine as the previous model, and therefore is it possible to fit one of the supercharger kits without any problems?
I have read the engine chip would need remapping; is this different to the earlier model.

Thanks

Mark

[paul99]

The MK3's 1.8 is completely different from the MK1/MK2's 1.8. If your looking for an engine to modify go for the 2.0, i dont think they released the 1.8 version in the US and ultimately thats where most of the performance mods will come from.

There will be a Cosworth Supercharger kit available for the MK3 2.0 cars soon and also BEGi are working on a Turbo kit for it which is well in progress. Power looks like it will be in the 220hp region for the Supercharger kit without engine work.

The MK3's also respond pretty well to intake and exhaust upgrades.

[MX-5 Lazza]

CTE said:

I could see how the 6 speed box would alter the ratios, allowing the engine to rev quicker, giving the impression of greater acceleration, but obviously offering little in the real world.

Surely in this "real world" the ideal car would be one that gives the impression of greater acceleration & speed while actually not being that fast! That's always been one of the big selling points of the MX-5, the fact that you can thrash it around and have real fun but all at reasonable speed. Try the same thing in an S2K or Boxster and you'll need to be going 30-40mph faster to feel the same exhilaration!

Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Wednesday 14th May 16:08