Just how scary...

[GravelBen]

Just how scary is an MX5 with over 280bhp?

I've just bought one! (paid the deposit and pick up in the next week or two) and am finding myself slightly apprehensive about it. Being a gravel junkie (and having kingstars on the back of my standardish MX5) I'm no stranger to oversteer, but I'm still not quite sure what to expect.

This is the puppy here:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=27...

[snotrag]

Looks great! Also looks just like 'Tybo's on here, his is about 240bhp I think, FM2 turbo. I think Lazza is about that too, but its supercharged and a later (more refined/developed?) chassis.

Will be a hoot though. Did it used to be red?

[paulmurr]

stting hell

I'd expect a few twitchy arse moments

[GravelBen]

snotrag said:

Will be a hoot though. Did it used to be red?

Started life as red one, if the red paint was anything like the one I'm selling to buy it then I can see why it was repainted!

Has dynoed 225rwhp @ 10psi and 255rwhp @ 15psi apparently, and is tuned more for low-down torque and response than outright power. The bloke who built it is well respected in NZ MX5 circles.

I'll be refraining from gravel antics in this one, its much too nice for that. Pity in some ways, this is the old one getting a friendly hiding last year:

http://vimeo.com/8306432

Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 10th March 10:47

[snotrag]

GravelBen said:

Has dynoed 225rwhp @ 10psi and 255rwhp @ 15psi apparently and is tuned more for low-down torque and response than outright power, the bloke who built it is well respected in NZ MX5 circles.

Sounds great, especially if its been setup by someone who knows what they are doing.

[Legend83]

That looks sweet as a nut mate!

Hopefully following your lead but not sure 280bhp in something that light is my cup of tea on UK roads....

200 bhp would so me fine!

Edited by Legend83 on Wednesday 10th March 11:20

[NeoVR]

paulmurr said:

stting hell

I'd expect a few twitchy arse moments

as a phrase i heard last night.. "sphincter munching its way thru the seat" LOL

looks sweet motor though!

[J-Tuner]

Thats superb. Love those wheels what are they ?

280BHP is gonna be a handful. I'd probably wind the boost down or pop it on 'low' on the boost controller until you know exactly what the score is. I'm guessing you will have to be alerts at all time when the boost is coming on

Make sure the rubber on the back is decent lol

[GravelBen]

NeoVR said:

paulmurr said:

stting hell

I'd expect a few twitchy arse moments

as a phrase i heard last night.. "sphincter munching its way thru the seat" LOL

looks sweet motor though!

Most eloquent good sir!

With a power to weight ratio somewhere north of a Porsche 996 Turbo I expect overtaking will be reasonably swift anyway.

[GravelBen]

J-Tuner said:

Thats superb. Love those wheels what are they ?

Ray's Sprint C3 according to the ad. I wasn't sure at first but they haven't taken long to grow on me.

J-Tuner said:

I'd probably wind the boost down or pop it on 'low' on the boost controller until you know exactly what the score is.

Thats what I'm thinking. The 680 mile drive home when I pick it up should give me a head-start on adjusting to it!

[NeoVR]

Interesting question, do these still have the 112mph limit that imports have?? 0-vmax in 12 seconds lol

[paulmurr]

NeoVR said:

paulmurr said:

stting hell

I'd expect a few twitchy arse moments

as a phrase i heard last night.. "sphincter munching its way thru the seat" LOL

looks sweet motor though!

Heard at a poker game a few weeks ago...

"that had my arse twitching like a rabbits nose"

or

"my arse was making buttons".

Either way, what a cracking little car

[tybo]

snotrag said:

Looks great! Also looks just like 'Tybo's on here, his is about 240bhp I think, FM2 turbo. I think Lazza is about that too, but its supercharged and a later (more refined/developed?) chassis.

Will be a hoot though. Did it used to be red?

I've been informed that mine is nearer 260bhp now. But the way it's tuned - the power is pretty progressive.

There's no unexpected kick (thankfully). Although, obviously, you do still have to think about when to press the throttle!

This one sounds like it's been tuned for the same kind of response, so should be a good laugh.

Have fun OP.

[GravelBen]

NeoVR said:

Interesting question, do these still have the 112mph limit that imports have?? 0-vmax in 12 seconds lol

As it has a Link ECU I wouldn't think so, but I guess I'll find out if it does!

[NeoVR]

I got a pax ride out in a turbo'ed '5 this afternoon... f**k me i want one!!.. it was awesome!

[LukeBird]

That'll be a bit of a giggle!

[GravelBen]

Picking it up on Saturday, can't wait! Two flights, one ferry and a 680 mile drive home... at least you can't say I'm not committed.

[Google [bot]]

I had a run in a 320RWHP turbo MX-5 once and to be honest I thought it too much. Too unpredictable. But brilliant, of course.

[iguana]

I'd like to try that certainly, my s/c car really not got the grunt im after, my old turbo was prob only 200 but was great in mx5 chassis.

But sub 300bhp not that much power really, my mx5 is a mere 60 kg lighter than my pals road legal trackday 200sx with real (dyno dyanamics dyno figs) 605bhp & lordy thats really really brisk & I've driven several 500+ bhp cars in comparison.

[mk1salami]

Built and owned a GT2554 250bhp MX5 and it was great fun. 280bhp would be even better. Wheelspin on a 4th gear roll on in cold / damp conditions