Aftermarket turbocharging - worth doing?

[KH]

I have a 1.8 mk 2 and it could do with a bit more grunt - road use only, nothing mental.
Is turbocharging the way to go or would you recommend something else?
Thanks, Kim

[MrV]

Or supercharge thats just before one of the sc guys gets it in

I have a turbo and like the bang for the buck but have to say adding has got more addictive so I didn't end with just a turbo.

[KH]

That is the funniest Occupation I have ever read (your profile).
Good lad.

[OnlyMX5ives]

I massively prefer supercharging.

The JRSC is about the cheapest option.

Both have their supporters.

I am currently selling a 250+bhp Turbo's Mk1 so it certainly can be 'worth doing'

Edited by OnlyMX5ives on Monday 27th July 11:53

[phatmanace]

worth doing, but I would sell yours and buy one with the work already done.

I turbo'd my mk1 - cost me a fair old whack. good result though

[willd58]

I have noticed an awful lot of people turboing or SCing an MX5 and then selling very soon afterwards, does anyone else notice this and agree and have any explanation for it?

[OllieWinchester]

Probably the same reason people build kit cars and then sell them on, for them the fun is in the building and tinkering. I'd rather just drive the thing...

[OnlyMX5ives]

willd58 said:

I have noticed an awful lot of people turboing or SCing an MX5 and then selling very soon afterwards, does anyone else notice this and agree and have any explanation for it?

I haven't noticed that.

The younger lads who tend to FI 5's only keep them a short time generally as they can't cope with the impracticality.

Although some don't listen to advice and start with a tiny budget or try to do things that they don't have the skills to complete and then sell the cars.

I have owned FI'd 5's for around 12 yrs now - still found nothing better for useable fun per £.

[Diesel Meister]

Only - just out of interest, are we talking impracticality in terms of accomodation (two seats etc.) or driveability (spontaneous dorifto etc.)?

[Howard-]

I am becoming heavily interested in supercharging


Are there any 'kits' available that provide everything one needs, besides this one http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.asp... ? I keep hearing that you can source the bits yourself for a lot cheaper, but I'd want to be given a list of what I need and be extremely assured it's going to work together with minimal faffing (apart from the installation itself!)

[Munter]

Howard- said:

I am becoming heavily interested in supercharging


Are there any 'kits' available that provide everything one needs, besides this one http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.asp... ? I keep hearing that you can source the bits yourself for a lot cheaper, but I'd want to be given a list of what I need and be extremely assured it's going to work together with minimal faffing (apart from the installation itself!)

I believe www.performance5.com will supply everything you need.

Or buy it from the us at www.flyinmiata.com

[Howard-]

Neither of them seem to cater for supercharging 1.6s though. I might entertain the idea of a turbo instead, will research properly when I have cash in hand

[OnlyMX5ives]

Diesel Meister said:

Only - just out of interest, are we talking impracticality in terms of accomodation (two seats etc.) or driveability (spontaneous dorifto etc.)?

You can't get your mates in, nor your bike etc.

[OnlyMX5ives]

Howard- said:

I am becoming heavily interested in supercharging


Are there any 'kits' available that provide everything one needs, besides this one http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewProducts.asp... ? I keep hearing that you can source the bits yourself for a lot cheaper, but I'd want to be given a list of what I need and be extremely assured it's going to work together with minimal faffing (apart from the installation itself!)

Main SC kits are from

Moss
FM (Stage One Tuning kits)
FFS
Begi

Google those, all have decent sites.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'm pretty sure Performance 5 can supply & fit M45 SC for 1.6 owners too.

[OnlyMX5ives]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I'm pretty sure Performance 5 can supply & fit M45 SC for 1.6 owners too.

Yes as can I (and many others) but he asked about kits being available, not reseller's, nor fitting.

[Howard-]

OnlyMx5ives... What would the damage be for supplying and fitting a full SC kit to a 1.6, roughly?

[OnlyMX5ives]

For the Moss M45 (their website incorrectly states MP45)I supply used kits (when available -I have a waiting list for 1.8 kits) for £995.

I charge £245 for fitting.

Then if you have a 1.6 and are using an AFPR you will need an uprated pump, £95.

You also need a form of knock retard - from £50 used.

That is the most basic kit but it does the job.

The AFPR is crude but effective, the powercard is better and the EMB etc better still but suddenly the price has jumped significantly AND most cars have been blow up by EMB's - adjustability can be a bad thing.

Cheaper still are DIY kits using Mini SC's.

New kits I can source to order (as can the other vendors) and they are a little cheaper the the Moss UK kits but it depends on exchange rates etc.

The problem with used kits is I can't just go and get them, it depends what I can find... eg if I don't sell my 1.8 FM2 soon, I'll sell the turbo kit off that.

[MX-5 Lazza]

OnlyMX5ives said:

Cheaper still are DIY kits using Mini SC's.

Has anyone actually done that yet? I thought the main problem was that the Mini Sc didn't include a bypass and building one into a kit was more problem than it's worth...

[OnlyMX5ives]

Yep... quite a long thread on Nutz about it.

Can't say I'd reccommend it and I'd suggest if you (not you personally) have to ask about it, it isn't worth trying.

A good fabricator can make pretty much anything work... whether its worth bothering with is another question.