Discussion
Hey guys, Iv been browsing these forums for near a year now, extracting useful information and such, and now im in need of some help.
I want to buy a MK1 MX-5, although up until now iv been driving a Clio Sport 182.
My budget for the car alone is £2000, then I will have around another 4K to spend on it and insure it.
I would just like some rough prices and info from someone in the know.
For my money I want the 1.6 110bhp model, but the 90 will suffice if its a bargain.
I want it to be at around 200bhp+, so I assume turbo, a new ECU, remap of said ECU and whatever else?
I also want a full re-spray, im a newbie with things like this, so if someone has had a re-spray and can give me an estimate, that would be cool.
Il edit this post later
Regards,
I want to buy a MK1 MX-5, although up until now iv been driving a Clio Sport 182.
My budget for the car alone is £2000, then I will have around another 4K to spend on it and insure it.
I would just like some rough prices and info from someone in the know.
For my money I want the 1.6 110bhp model, but the 90 will suffice if its a bargain.
I want it to be at around 200bhp+, so I assume turbo, a new ECU, remap of said ECU and whatever else?
I also want a full re-spray, im a newbie with things like this, so if someone has had a re-spray and can give me an estimate, that would be cool.
Il edit this post later
Regards,
Hi - a couple of quick points.
The early 1.6 116bhp models are the ones to go for if you want a 1.6. The 90bhp model is not really worth it as a starting point. You could get a 1.8 for that money as well. I prefer imports (Eunos - usually has a square rear number plate) as they are usually higher spec'd with Air conditioning and PAS - and usually have less or no rust. If you are looking to get the power up that high (which is a lot for such a light car), you need to consider brakes, and suspension mods as well. Also make sure you keep light weight wheels with 15" diameter being about optimum for handling. S-Spec special editions were initially available in 1.6 then latterly with a 1.8 - they came with light-weight BBS alloys, Bilstien (Very firm) suspension, and in many cases LSD. 1.8 come with bigger brakes as standard, although not sure if I'd rely on them for 200bhp. Other 1.8 Special editions to look out for are R-Limited (blue or whitw with Red Leather), S-Special Type II and the earlier RS-Limited. These all have the firmer suspension, larger 15" BBS wheels and LSD but can be more costly. The RS-Limited and R-Limited being the most sought after cars.
Resprays can cost between £500-2000 depending on whether it is an overspray or a proper job.
For that power, you probably need a turbo, a supercharger usually gets you around 170-180bhp.
a couple of links for you:
http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/guide_eunos.htm
http://www.performance5.com/
The early 1.6 116bhp models are the ones to go for if you want a 1.6. The 90bhp model is not really worth it as a starting point. You could get a 1.8 for that money as well. I prefer imports (Eunos - usually has a square rear number plate) as they are usually higher spec'd with Air conditioning and PAS - and usually have less or no rust. If you are looking to get the power up that high (which is a lot for such a light car), you need to consider brakes, and suspension mods as well. Also make sure you keep light weight wheels with 15" diameter being about optimum for handling. S-Spec special editions were initially available in 1.6 then latterly with a 1.8 - they came with light-weight BBS alloys, Bilstien (Very firm) suspension, and in many cases LSD. 1.8 come with bigger brakes as standard, although not sure if I'd rely on them for 200bhp. Other 1.8 Special editions to look out for are R-Limited (blue or whitw with Red Leather), S-Special Type II and the earlier RS-Limited. These all have the firmer suspension, larger 15" BBS wheels and LSD but can be more costly. The RS-Limited and R-Limited being the most sought after cars.
Resprays can cost between £500-2000 depending on whether it is an overspray or a proper job.
For that power, you probably need a turbo, a supercharger usually gets you around 170-180bhp.
a couple of links for you:
http://ox.mx5oc.co.uk/guide_eunos.htm
http://www.performance5.com/
Edited by jazzybee on Wednesday 1st July 11:27
So a 1.8 eunos would be a better start, I'll check some out now,
What would be the power gain, as far as weight goes, a 182bhp clio is pretty nippy, but I'm guessing an mx-5 weighs a lot less,
Thanks for replying btw, really detailed post.
I'm an mx5 noob, so I'm relying on you to fill me in
What bhp would a 1.8 import with a turbo and remap ecu give, looking at £700 for the ecu.
I'm just getting into the car world (so to speak) , it used to just be speed and comfort, but after I drove a 220bhp mr2, then a 180 mx5, I just want one,
Stiffer sport suspension will be on the list, unless its lowered already what should I lower it by, and should I get new bushings etc aswell?
I'm going to far I assume, I just want a stiff car, lots of power and RWD, roll bar too, or cage if my brother an I get the time,
Thanks for your reply
What would be the power gain, as far as weight goes, a 182bhp clio is pretty nippy, but I'm guessing an mx-5 weighs a lot less,
Thanks for replying btw, really detailed post.
I'm an mx5 noob, so I'm relying on you to fill me in
What bhp would a 1.8 import with a turbo and remap ecu give, looking at £700 for the ecu.
I'm just getting into the car world (so to speak) , it used to just be speed and comfort, but after I drove a 220bhp mr2, then a 180 mx5, I just want one,
Stiffer sport suspension will be on the list, unless its lowered already what should I lower it by, and should I get new bushings etc aswell?
I'm going to far I assume, I just want a stiff car, lots of power and RWD, roll bar too, or cage if my brother an I get the time,
Thanks for your reply
MX-5 Lazza said:
To give the best advice we really need to know your plans. Is this going to be daily transport? Weekend toy? Track dog?
Why do you say you'd prefer a 1.6?
And why do you want a respray without knowing which car you will be going for? Custom colour by any chance?
Sorry I didn't see your post,Why do you say you'd prefer a 1.6?
And why do you want a respray without knowing which car you will be going for? Custom colour by any chance?
1.6 because I'm sick of paying over the odds for insurance,
It will be daily transport, only 4 miles to work and back, and a weekend monster :],
Cliche maybe, but I like the look of track cars, and I saw and orange one, with a carbon fibre lip (body kit thing) and it looked amazing, so orange it is,
Thanks for your help
You will want a car you can run without a CAT, have a look-see here for more info' on applicable model years: emissions limits
If you are going to turbo and have a decent budget then 1.6 or 1.8 doesn't matter, they are both good for 250+ bhp with the right kit. They both have the same max power limits before you start to bend things (about 270bhp is generally considered the absolute ceiling - 250bhp a "safe" maximum).
Insurance isn't a consideration. Modified up to 200bhp and over 200bhp and the things most insurance companies will be looking for.
A cheapish Mk1 1.6 with FM turbo kit + Link ecu sounds like the best bet for you. If you are going to respray then maybe you should go for a car that's failed MOT due to rusty sills - you could get that for well under £1000, maybe as low as £500 - as long as the mechanicals are sound.
Budget for shocks & springs, rollbars (look at Hard-Dog), 1.8 brake upgrade (assuming you bought a 1.6), Axiss Ultimate brake pads, Torsen LSD (if it doesn't already have one), Good tyres (Toyo T1R/GY F1 GSD3/Hankook RS2/Toyo R888), lightweight 15" alloys (if it doesn't already have them), Bucket seats (I like Elise S2 seats - midway between Racing buckets and road seats). Learn to do the mapping yourself and you can save a bundle of cash - it's not difficult. The higher the power output the more critical the tuning is and the more you should consider professional mapping though any level of FI can blow the engine if it's badly mapped.
Engines are pretty cheap if the worst does happen and they aren't difficult to change. If you went for a 1.8 you could fit a Mk2 head which flows better than the Mk1 head and gives better power & torque.
Insurance isn't a consideration. Modified up to 200bhp and over 200bhp and the things most insurance companies will be looking for.
A cheapish Mk1 1.6 with FM turbo kit + Link ecu sounds like the best bet for you. If you are going to respray then maybe you should go for a car that's failed MOT due to rusty sills - you could get that for well under £1000, maybe as low as £500 - as long as the mechanicals are sound.
Budget for shocks & springs, rollbars (look at Hard-Dog), 1.8 brake upgrade (assuming you bought a 1.6), Axiss Ultimate brake pads, Torsen LSD (if it doesn't already have one), Good tyres (Toyo T1R/GY F1 GSD3/Hankook RS2/Toyo R888), lightweight 15" alloys (if it doesn't already have them), Bucket seats (I like Elise S2 seats - midway between Racing buckets and road seats). Learn to do the mapping yourself and you can save a bundle of cash - it's not difficult. The higher the power output the more critical the tuning is and the more you should consider professional mapping though any level of FI can blow the engine if it's badly mapped.
Engines are pretty cheap if the worst does happen and they aren't difficult to change. If you went for a 1.8 you could fit a Mk2 head which flows better than the Mk1 head and gives better power & torque.
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