Inky - 98 MX5 RS Supercharged

[TheOctaneAddict]

Hi all,

After a lot of soul searching on what to buy as my next toy, the pull of a another MX5 became stronger and stronger. This car came up for sale locally and after a viewing I just had to buy it.

Previous owner had carried out a big list of mods and the spec is as follows:

• 1998 Japanese import RS
• 6 speed box
• Torsen type 2 LSD
• Eaton M45 supercharger from a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Teflon coated and rebuilt before install (new needle roller beatings and oil)
• Salon Motorsport mounting and intake kit
• Boost Products intercooler and Bofi Racing pipework kit
• Forge FMDV004 BoV
• 640cc injectors
• ME442 standalone ECU (plug and play). Integrated wideband and 4bar MAP sensor and SD card for data logging
• TR Lane roll bar
• Bofi Racing lightened flywheel and hybrid paddle clutch
• Tein Street Basis Z coilovers (rebuilt)
• Genuine Quaife gear knob
• Lotus Elise drivers seat on original sliders

Paintwork isnt the best and its needs some tidying, but it will serve as a great base for a track car.

Here's a few pics:





My 1 and 10 mile punch list has given me the following to solve:

• Passenger headlight bulb blown & headlights need a polish
• Need to change the steering wheel so I fit properly
• The blown cat needs replacing
• Car stalls on first startup but is fine there after (Hoping an ME ECU wizz might be able to suggest a quick fix here)

Thanks

Alex

[Cambs_Stuart]

My god, that looks like fun.
And is that a caged clio in the background?

[TheOctaneAddict]

Cambs_Stuart said:

My god, that looks like fun.
And is that a caged clio in the background?

Thanks, it is hilarious! Clio is indeed caged, isnt mine though thats the last owners replacement for the mx5.

[BrettMRC]

Stalling issue may well be a sensor?

[threespires]

Excellent.

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Does it look like the supercharger kit is all from BOFI? That supercharger and intake kit are what comes with their kit, either that homebrew kits are just defaulting to that because it works.

How are the coilovers? Are they really harsh? I was going to get them but went with MeisterR Sportive instead since they are dual perch.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Think the stalling issue is related to the map, not had chance to connect up a laptop yet and have a look.

Looks like all the supercharger parts came from Bofi, seems to be a really decent kit.

Coilovers are good, I prefer them to the BC racing BR I had on my last NB.

[TheLoraxxZeus]

TheOctaneAddict said:

Looks like all the supercharger parts came from Bofi, seems to be a really decent kit.

Nice, this kit has been on my radar ever since I got my MX5 but I've been holding off on it because it seems stupid to slap more power into the car with stock suspension and st tires. I'm also wrapping the car starting next month, so priorities are a bit over the place haha.

TheOctaneAddict said:

Coilovers are good, I prefer them to the BC racing BR I had on my last NB.

That's....interesting. I would have though the BRs would be worlds better since they have adjustable dampening with dual perch so you can lower the vehicle without screwing up the ride quality.

[Sko77y]

Looks like a great buy, the ME ECU are well supported so hopefully you'll get start up sorted, as you say probably the tune. You'll easy shift the TEIN's on if you're changing, look forward to see how you get on with it.

[TheOctaneAddict]

TheLoraxxZeus said:

That's....interesting. I would have though the BRs would be worlds better since they have adjustable dampening with dual perch so you can lower the vehicle without screwing up the ride quality.

I think its spring rate related, the model of BC I had was fitted by a previous owner who had the car very low on a super stiff spring. With the MX5 not being the most rigid car a very stiff spring just ruins it on road. I'll be interested to see what the teins are like on track.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Fitted new headlight bulbs last night, seemed like a good excuse for a twilight drive. Car is hilariously good fun, supercharger comes in really hard from 3k and pulls all the way to 7k.

A quick sound clip here - https://www.instagram.com/p/CkL9YPdIyor/

[Captain Raymond Holt]

Oh yes, I like this.

Could only be improved with pop up headlights (says the owner of 4 mk1’s in the past ).

Stalling on startup sounds odd, map issue does sound the most likely to me.

[snotrag]

Good fun that. I’m sure your aware but please make sure you check behind the sill extensions that it’s not dissolving out of sight.


The Motorsport Electronics ECU is a great bit of kit, and they are super helpful guys - definitely give them a ring and talk them through it all. The software is very user friendly too.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Spent some time last night giving the interior a deep clean and fitting an old Nardi I had lying around.

Love these 90s Nardis as they are super thin and just feel so right in the hand. Hate a chunky steering wheel.

Eventually I’ll go to a small diameter prototipo but for now this’ll do!

[TheOctaneAddict]

Had a look at the map over the weekend and it looks to have out of the box Crank MSE and Warmup settings. Tried the basemap file and car still runs like a pig when cold, it looks to be way too rich at low RPMs. Have spoken to a recommended tuner and he's going to take a look.

Other than that i've just done a little more tidying to the car. I have removed the sun visors and have ordered some blanking plates, also going to remove the electric aerial as its knackered.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Pretty productive last few days. Pleased to report that the tune is now spot on and the car runs great, would highly recommend Alex Hickson.

May have also man mathsed myself into a new set of wheels. To be fair I needed tyres and these came up for the same price so…



Looks like the exhaust will have to wait for now!

[Cambs_Stuart]

Nice wheels. Black is the best colour for hiding the brake dust.

[TheOctaneAddict]

Yep, have used Team Dynamics wheels before and they are great. Will get them fitted this week once a replacement locking wheel nut key arrives.

I'm also hovering over an MX5 only trackday on December 11th at Donington...

[Cambs_Stuart]

TheOctaneAddict said:

Yep, have used Team Dynamics wheels before and they are great. Will get them fitted this week once a replacement locking wheel nut key arrives.

I'm also hovering over an MX5 only trackday on December 11th at Donington...

I was a Snetterton yesterday in my clio with AD08's on and they were not great in the wet. I was supposed be be at Donnington but it's being re-surfaced.
Hope you get a dry day! Will you drive there and back in it or do you trailer?

[TheOctaneAddict]

Yep this will be a drive to the track, do track day and drive home car. Gonna give the pads a check over then get it booked. I’d like to do a track day in this as soon as to give it a proper shakedown.