Turbo/Super MX-5

[jamoor]

I have a 1994 mx-5 eunos with around 60k on and the 1.8 engine.

All I want is a set and forget Turbo/Super solution that can be installed and require no further tinkering.

Is it possible to get some sort of variable forced induction, so you can turn the power down if wanted?

Would turbo or super be better for a good increase in BHP/Speed, what increases can I expect with just a basic turbo that will preserve reliability?


Who is the best to install such a device to my vehicle? I want a specialist ideally, who does this all day every day, so there is no messing around.

Cheers

[hcanning]

Performance5 do "entry level" turbo kits don't they? Good for a 50bhp or so increase

[jamoor]

What kind of performance stats can you expect from an upgrade to 190bhp?

[Herman Toothrot]

jamoor said:

I have a 1994 mx-5 eunos with around 60k on and the 1.8 engine.

All I want is a set and forget Turbo/Super solution that can be installed and require no further tinkering.

Is it possible to get some sort of variable forced induction, so you can turn the power down if wanted?

Would turbo or super be better for a good increase in BHP/Speed, what increases can I expect with just a basic turbo that will preserve reliability?


Who is the best to install such a device to my vehicle? I want a specialist ideally, who does this all day every day, so there is no messing around.

Cheers

Turbo you can have a dial on the dash to tun power up and down, I have that on mine.

Performance 5 is probably the best regarded mx5 specialist.

They can happily be fit and forget as long as its done properly initially, properly read aftermarket Electronic engine management. Most people tend to fiddle fo fun, usually not necessary, things can always e "improved"

[Herman Toothrot]

jamoor said:

What kind of performance stats can you expect from an upgrade to 190bhp?

Keep in mind the 0 - 60 you won't acheive without drag radials or running trackday tyres on a drag strip, traction is an issue off the line with powerful mx5's.


Power at Flywheel (BHP) : 190
Weight without Driver (KG) : 980
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP Per Ton) : 196.99
0 - 60 (Secs) : 5.57
0 - 100 (Secs) : 14.58
60 - 100 (Secs) : 9.01
Quarter Mile (Secs) : 13.98
Terminal Speed (MPH) : 97.91
Drag Strip Quarter Mile (Secs) : 13.88
Drag Strip Terminal Speed (MPH) : 99.04

From lets torque bhp, generally regarded as accurate on a drag strip with sticky tyres.

They get really fun with a big turbo, my spec :-

Power at Flywheel (BHP) : 260
Weight without Driver (KG) : 970
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP Per Ton) : 272.34
0 - 60 (Secs) : 4.35
0 - 100 (Secs) : 10.68
60 - 100 (Secs) : 6.33
Quarter Mile (Secs) : 12.69
Terminal Speed (MPH) : 108.99
Drag Strip Quarter Mile (Secs) : 12.59
Drag Strip Terminal Speed (MPH) : 110.27

I found last friday on Track I can stick with the Caterham R400 lap after lap

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 22 October 22:07

[jamoor]

Herman Toothrot said:

jamoor said:

What kind of performance stats can you expect from an upgrade to 190bhp?

Keep in mind the 0 - 60 you won't acheive without drag radials or running trackday tyres on a drag strip, traction is an issue off the line with powerful mx5's.


Power at Flywheel (BHP) : 190
Weight without Driver (KG) : 980
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP Per Ton) : 196.99
0 - 60 (Secs) : 5.57
0 - 100 (Secs) : 14.58
60 - 100 (Secs) : 9.01
Quarter Mile (Secs) : 13.98
Terminal Speed (MPH) : 97.91
Drag Strip Quarter Mile (Secs) : 13.88
Drag Strip Terminal Speed (MPH) : 99.04

From lets torque bhp, generally regarded as accurate on a drag strip with sticky tyres.

They get really fun with a big turbo, my spec :-

Power at Flywheel (BHP) : 260
Weight without Driver (KG) : 970
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP Per Ton) : 272.34
0 - 60 (Secs) : 4.35
0 - 100 (Secs) : 10.68
60 - 100 (Secs) : 6.33
Quarter Mile (Secs) : 12.69
Terminal Speed (MPH) : 108.99
Drag Strip Quarter Mile (Secs) : 12.59
Drag Strip Terminal Speed (MPH) : 110.27

I found last friday on Track I can stick with the Caterham R400 lap after lap

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 22 October 22:07

Not too bad then, I guess a fit and forget solution without complex rebuilds and replacing of lots of parts is what I'm after

Cost is alot though :/ £2k.

[Herman Toothrot]

usually a bit more, keeping 190bhp you'll be border line on the stock clutch may need to get an uprated one. Basic BEGi turbo hardware £1200 + fitting (fitted mine myself)? £300? + £300 Clutch + £500 for a piggyback fueling solution fitted and mapped at a guess.

Bigger power costs a LOT more :-

ECU £700 + £300 mapping
Top line big turbo kit £2700
Fuel Pump £100
Fuel Rail £100
Clutch £300
Exhaust £300
Racing CAT £150
Oil Cooler £100
High volume rad £300
If you didn't start with a 1.8 £300 for a 1.8 Diff (1.6 is too weak)

[Ordinary Bloke]

Sounds like fun. Can anyone comment on the insurance cost for a 190-260BHP MX-5? How tolerant are the insurance companies of these kinds of modifications?

[Herman Toothrot]

Below 200bhp very little, you basically need to over 25, then its cheap.

[anonymous-user]

jamoor said:

Is it possible to get some sort of variable forced induction, so you can turn the power down if wanted?

[facetious]Yup, it's called the accelerator pedal - press for more power, release for less. [/facetious]
On a more serious note, I'd second the suggestion you speak to Phil at Performance5. When looking for the first FI step to around 190, both turbo and supercharger are possible. Turbo generally gives a better upgrade path if you want 250+ at a later date.

[maz8062]

Phil comes highly recommended, but dont forget MX5mad in Romford. They sell 2 entry level turbo kits;

- Greddy turbo for the 1.6 with prices starting from £770
- Begi S turbo with prices starting just over the £1k mark

Both kits will give you a 40+ bhp power increase and have proved very reliable over many years and mileage.

I have a Gredy in my car and it is very fast. I must say going turbo is definetely a slippery slope as once you sample the power it is very very addictive. You will want more power not less.

[franv8]

Can you still get the GReddy - I thought they'd gone into receivership?

I also thought it had quite a crude set up to alter fuelling and no ignition timing retard? Do you run the standard set up and if so do you find it effective/safe? (lastly - was there a hit on fuel consumption when off boost?)

Sorry - for the q's - if its that good for £770 then it could be something I need to rush out and get

(oops, just realised I don't have £770 lying around grr!)

[hornetrider]

I saw this JRSC on Ebay yesterday but its already sold

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mazda-Mx5-Jackson-Racing-Sup...

[maz8062]

franv8 said:

Can you still get the GReddy - I thought they'd gone into receivership?

I also thought it had quite a crude set up to alter fuelling and no ignition timing retard? Do you run the standard set up and if so do you find it effective/safe? (lastly - was there a hit on fuel consumption when off boost?)

Sorry - for the q's - if its that good for £770 then it could be something I need to rush out and get

(oops, just realised I don't have £770 lying around grr!)

My Greddy (1.6 only) has a AFPR for the fueling and the timing has been set at 8 degrees. It drives great as is but I've spent a bit extra for a standalone ECU and a wide band O2 sensor. IMHO for anything less than say 160rwhp an AFPR and a bipes (to retard timing) is plenty good enough and will limit costs substantially.

Here's a link to the begi turbo for 1.8

http://www.mx5mad.com/begisturbo.php

And the FM turbo

http://performance5.com/turbo_m1_1800.asp

Edited by maz8062 on Thursday 23 October 12:16

[franv8]

Thanks for the info - I'll have a lookey!

[tybo]

Supercharger for sale here.

http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2...

[NiceCupOfTea]

If one bought a s/c kit like the JRSC, what would one need to do with fuelling?

Quite like the idea of this if I can go the s/h fit it myself route for less than a grand. Any more than that it would be cheaper to sell mine and get one that's already been done!

[maz8062]

NiceCupOfTea said:

If one bought a s/c kit like the JRSC, what would one need to do with fuelling?

Quite like the idea of this if I can go the s/h fit it myself route for less than a grand. Any more than that it would be cheaper to sell mine and get one that's already been done!

Standalone ECU or simple rising rate fuel regulator. Jackson racing do one that costs under £100. I might have one up for sale shortlyfor under £50 as I'm looking fit a standalone Ecu into my turbo charged k1.

That one of nutz is a real bargain and I' sure the seller will take a lot less than the £700 currently advertised for. I understand the seller is ovehauling the kit so it may be relisted at higher price when done.

[hcanning]

How does, say, 160bhp in a 1.6 mk1, translate to real-life performance, compared with more powerful but bigger cars? Hot hatches, etc?

I'm guessing the power to weight ratio is favourable with the mk1 weighing under a ton?

[Herman Toothrot]

hcanning said:

How does, say, 160bhp in a 1.6 mk1, translate to real-life performance, compared with more powerful but bigger cars? Hot hatches, etc?

I'm guessing the power to weight ratio is favourable with the mk1 weighing under a ton?

from lets torque bhp

Power at Flywheel (BHP) : 160
Weight without Driver (KG) : 970
Power to Weight Ratio (BHP Per Ton) : 167.60
0 - 60 (Secs) : 6.39
0 - 100 (Secs) : 17.54
60 - 100 (Secs) : 11.15
Quarter Mile (Secs) : 14.83
Terminal Speed (MPH) : 91.94
Drag Strip Quarter Mile (Secs) : 14.73
Drag Strip Terminal Speed (MPH) : 93.01