Throttle-bodied Eunos Roadster 1.6
Discussion
After selling my Swift Sport, I became set on finding an MX5 and modifying it for trackdays. I looked at a lot of MX5s and Eunos' online, and from the photos alone I could tell they were all sheds. I was after a rust-free Mk1 (the best looking by a country mile) that I could then bring up to spec for hooning and tracking.
When I saw this immaculate white recently-imported version, I knew it was what I was after. In its last 10,000k in Japan the car had been throttle-bodied by RS Aizawa (amongst a few other engine modifications), a well reputed Japanese tuner. It had also had a number of chassis braces, Ohlins coilovers, Watannabe RS wheels, Bridgestone RE01R tyres and a rollbar with harness mounts.
Here's how the car was when I got it:
Now, there were still a few things to change, such as the massive and japanese radio only double-din headunit, now changed to a nice Kenwood one which I can plug my iPod into:
I also took it to Surrey Rolling Road - brilliant service from Charlie as usual, highly recommended!
I haven't got the dyno printout, but it made a healthy 120bhp, which is apparently very healthy from a 1.6 - Charlie informed that most 1.6 MX5s make under 100bhp (yes, even the ones that are supposed to make 114bhp), and with an almost ruler-straight power curve up to a peak at 7500rpm (it has fast-road cams). 120bhp seems like enough for now with just 900ish kg to shift.
Here's a little video of what the engine sounds like with the throttle bodies open - I have also fitted ITG filter socks over these trumpets, bought from Raceparts - again great service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p77GKI-x80
Finally, here's a couple more photos:
I'm delighted with this car thus far. It's an absolute hoot to drive, and it has unimaginable levels of dry grip (partly thanks to Ohlins suspension, chassis bracing, sticky tyres and an LSD).
When I saw this immaculate white recently-imported version, I knew it was what I was after. In its last 10,000k in Japan the car had been throttle-bodied by RS Aizawa (amongst a few other engine modifications), a well reputed Japanese tuner. It had also had a number of chassis braces, Ohlins coilovers, Watannabe RS wheels, Bridgestone RE01R tyres and a rollbar with harness mounts.
Here's how the car was when I got it:
Now, there were still a few things to change, such as the massive and japanese radio only double-din headunit, now changed to a nice Kenwood one which I can plug my iPod into:
I also took it to Surrey Rolling Road - brilliant service from Charlie as usual, highly recommended!
I haven't got the dyno printout, but it made a healthy 120bhp, which is apparently very healthy from a 1.6 - Charlie informed that most 1.6 MX5s make under 100bhp (yes, even the ones that are supposed to make 114bhp), and with an almost ruler-straight power curve up to a peak at 7500rpm (it has fast-road cams). 120bhp seems like enough for now with just 900ish kg to shift.
Here's a little video of what the engine sounds like with the throttle bodies open - I have also fitted ITG filter socks over these trumpets, bought from Raceparts - again great service.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p77GKI-x80
Finally, here's a couple more photos:
I'm delighted with this car thus far. It's an absolute hoot to drive, and it has unimaginable levels of dry grip (partly thanks to Ohlins suspension, chassis bracing, sticky tyres and an LSD).
Edited by identti on Sunday 11th April 12:27
Just found this video of what an RS Aizawa modified MX5/Eunos can do in the right hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsI4K_0NT_s
Also, got a lot of plans for this summer:
Low priority:
Gear knob and gaiter
Bucket seats
Stubby arial
Rattle in centre console
Floor mats
Brighter lights
Medium priority:
Paint front grille black
Make sure sills are unclogged
Underseal
New bonnet hinge holder
OEM Front lip spoiler
High priority:
Alarm & Immobiliser
Brake upgrade
Service
I'm currently trying to find some Cobra Imola seats in black. If anyone knows of any going cheap let me know (like the ones in the pic below).
Also, got a lot of plans for this summer:
Low priority:
Gear knob and gaiter
Bucket seats
Stubby arial
Rattle in centre console
Floor mats
Brighter lights
Medium priority:
Paint front grille black
Make sure sills are unclogged
Underseal
New bonnet hinge holder
OEM Front lip spoiler
High priority:
Alarm & Immobiliser
Brake upgrade
Service
I'm currently trying to find some Cobra Imola seats in black. If anyone knows of any going cheap let me know (like the ones in the pic below).
shalmaneser said:
I assume that it's 120bhp at the wheels? Lovely car.
Seems odd to put bodies on a 1.6, why not drop in a 1.8 and get those extra horsies?
I don't know why, the work was done by RS Aizawa before it was imported into the UK. I think the 1.6 engine revs a bit better than the 1.8 though, and this particular car revs to 8500rpm! The 1.6 MX5 is about 50kg lighter than the 1.8 too, which means it handles better and the power to weight isn't that different.Seems odd to put bodies on a 1.6, why not drop in a 1.8 and get those extra horsies?
I'm not so fussed about having the 1.8, I'm a fairly young driver so anything to improve the insurance helps. Plus the sound of the throttle bodies is astonishing - only a couple of other MX5s in Europe have them fitted and none of the others seem to be running particularly well.
shalmaneser said:
I assume that it's 120bhp at the wheels? Lovely car.
Seems odd to put bodies on a 1.6, why not drop in a 1.8 and get those extra horsies?
My first thought was a little along those lines. Would it not be better "bang for buck" to fit a supercharger rather than throttle bodies and a new cam?Seems odd to put bodies on a 1.6, why not drop in a 1.8 and get those extra horsies?
identti said:
I'm currently trying to find some Cobra Imola seats in black. If anyone knows of any going cheap let me know (like the ones in the pic below).
Robbie!! When do I get a spin in this? 
I've just bought some Imolas for the 205, definitely a good choice. Just need to find someone to weld in the mounts.
I've got one in GT width which I would swap for a normal width one if that helps at all!
Just keep searching on google, ordering it by date, and the latest forum posts will soon appear. Driftworks seemed most likely to have some spring up.
MrChips said:
identti said:
I'm currently trying to find some Cobra Imola seats in black. If anyone knows of any going cheap let me know (like the ones in the pic below).
Robbie!! When do I get a spin in this? I've just bought some Imolas for the 205, definitely a good choice. Just need to find someone to weld in the mounts.
I've got one in GT width which I would swap for a normal width one if that helps at all!
Just keep searching on google, ordering it by date, and the latest forum posts will soon appear. Driftworks seemed most likely to have some spring up.
As for the Imolas, the GT won't work for me unfortunately as the MX5 seats must be very narrow and the normal Imola seat only just fits. I've just found driftworks - looks promising as I don't want to fork out for new ones
That looks awesome, I spied it on another thread before this one, and thought it looked cool, white with black wheels looks hard as nails!
Really Really want an MX5 when I've got a job and not constantly moving about the place, the lack of space is what put me off an MX5 and onto the E30 really... Driven a few of these (used to mechanic on race ones) and they're such a hoot to drive
Really Really want an MX5 when I've got a job and not constantly moving about the place, the lack of space is what put me off an MX5 and onto the E30 really... Driven a few of these (used to mechanic on race ones) and they're such a hoot to drive
TVR MAN said:
I want that so much! It looks fantastic.
Would you mind if I ask roughly how much it cost? And being a young driver how is your insurance?
Car cost a bit under £4k (the car had about 4ks worth of goodies fitted), and is a relatively low mileage rust-free Eunos.Would you mind if I ask roughly how much it cost? And being a young driver how is your insurance?
Insurance is just over £1k per year, limited mileage and I'm only just into my twenties.
dtmpower said:
I can only imagine how amazing the engine sounds ! Do you run the car without an airbox or filter socks ?
I have ITG filter socks on the car, just took them off for the photos.This is roughly how it sounds (first one is my car, 2nd is one in Japan) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc9xfuJeK9I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsI4K_0NT_s
Mr.Jimbo said:
Really Really want an MX5 when I've got a job and not constantly moving about the place, the lack of space is what put me off an MX5 and onto the E30 really... Driven a few of these (used to mechanic on race ones) and they're such a hoot to drive
Yep, they're cetainly a lot of fun and an average condition car can be had for peanuts. I don't actually think they're that impractical apart from only having 2 seats. They have a decent boot and quite a comfy cabin. However, they aren't fantastic motorway cars (I found this out the hard way driving it from Northern Ireland to London) mainly due to the wind noise.EDIT: just had a look at your E30, looks like a great car too.
Edited by identti on Monday 31st May 10:11
[quote=identti]
I think the 1.6 engine revs a bit better than the 1.8 though, and this particular car revs to 8500rpm!quote]
The 1600s use a shorter final drive than the 1800s, which is why the 1800s aren't any quicker despite ~130bhp from the factory. It's also the reason that nobody bought the 1800s, so Mazda de-tuned the later 1600s.
Car looks fantastic, I'm a huge fan of white MK1s, and I'm loving the TBs on this one. Have to say I'm a little shocked by the power figure though, is it, as someone else suggested, rwhp and not bhp? I only ask as my old MK1 1.6L made ~119bhp with effectively a 4-2-1 manifold. That aside, some very nice parts, and that under-bonnet shot frankly is just porn!
I think the 1.6 engine revs a bit better than the 1.8 though, and this particular car revs to 8500rpm!quote]
The 1600s use a shorter final drive than the 1800s, which is why the 1800s aren't any quicker despite ~130bhp from the factory. It's also the reason that nobody bought the 1800s, so Mazda de-tuned the later 1600s.
Car looks fantastic, I'm a huge fan of white MK1s, and I'm loving the TBs on this one. Have to say I'm a little shocked by the power figure though, is it, as someone else suggested, rwhp and not bhp? I only ask as my old MK1 1.6L made ~119bhp with effectively a 4-2-1 manifold. That aside, some very nice parts, and that under-bonnet shot frankly is just porn!
Nocturnal said:
Car looks fantastic, I'm a huge fan of white MK1s, and I'm loving the TBs on this one. Have to say I'm a little shocked by the power figure though, is it, as someone else suggested, rwhp and not bhp? I only ask as my old MK1 1.6L made ~119bhp with effectively a 4-2-1 manifold. That aside, some very nice parts, and that under-bonnet shot frankly is just porn!
It's 120bhp at the fly. I don't think the engine's been significantly improved by the addition of the throttle bodies, just sounds better and responds much quicker to throttle inputs. It does have an exhaust on it, and a few other modifications (think it has cams, but these just move the power up the rev range and are quite mild).The car's 18 years old so producing 5bhp up on standard is fine by me. It's the chassis of this car that really stood apart from other 5s. It has a fair bit of bracing, a substantial roll bar, an LSD, Ohlins coilovers (think they cost about $2500 in the US!) and cusco strut braces.
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