MX5 Turbo Vs MR2 Turbo???
Discussion
right.. at the moment I have a mk2 MX5 1.8iS, which I love. It's handling is just awesome, but let's face it... it's not exactly quick..so.......
I could get a turbo kit for my mx5 (£2.5k) giving it a very healthy 200+bhp without any problem, which would make for a quick car.. remember the mx5 only weighs 1040kg against the mr2's 1250+kgs
OR
I could get a rev3 MR2 Turbo for about £8k, and that would be a really nice low-miles example from a reputable importer.
What do I do?!?!? Are the MR2's handling and steering going to live up to the 5's ?? or will the 250bhp straight out of the box make me forget about all that.. plus I'd have a bit left over from the sale of the 5 for whatever goodies might be needed....
I could get a turbo kit for my mx5 (£2.5k) giving it a very healthy 200+bhp without any problem, which would make for a quick car.. remember the mx5 only weighs 1040kg against the mr2's 1250+kgs
OR
I could get a rev3 MR2 Turbo for about £8k, and that would be a really nice low-miles example from a reputable importer.
What do I do?!?!? Are the MR2's handling and steering going to live up to the 5's ?? or will the 250bhp straight out of the box make me forget about all that.. plus I'd have a bit left over from the sale of the 5 for whatever goodies might be needed....
After a HUUUuuuuuuuuuuugh slide this morning I can back you up on the "needs good tyres" thing. I've got Yokohama A539s on the front of my NA MR2 and shite no-name tyres on the back.
I've always said lack of grip=fun, but then I don't have 250bhp and turbo lag to cope with.
I thought about getting a turbo but I drive for tail-out slidey fun and I find NA throttle response much better suited to my lack of skill, besides, there's always my bike is I want to go fast.
I've always said lack of grip=fun, but then I don't have 250bhp and turbo lag to cope with.
I thought about getting a turbo but I drive for tail-out slidey fun and I find NA throttle response much better suited to my lack of skill, besides, there's always my bike is I want to go fast.
If you are wanting a car that is easy to drive on the throttle under almost any condition then I'd have to say, stick with the MX5.
If you want a car with truly grin inducing acceleration, and more grip than most mortals can handle in the dry, then the MR2 is the car for you.
The MR2 Turbo is very sensitive to tyres, you really do need to fit reasonable quality rubber if you don't want to scare yourself in the wet. OTOH, it's a Toyota with a factory spec engine and (if properlay looked after) will be very reliable. The MX5 would be looking at an increase of over 50% on stock power. Can the standard clutch, transmission, rear axle, brakes ans suspension cope with this reliably?
If you want a car with truly grin inducing acceleration, and more grip than most mortals can handle in the dry, then the MR2 is the car for you.
The MR2 Turbo is very sensitive to tyres, you really do need to fit reasonable quality rubber if you don't want to scare yourself in the wet. OTOH, it's a Toyota with a factory spec engine and (if properlay looked after) will be very reliable. The MX5 would be looking at an increase of over 50% on stock power. Can the standard clutch, transmission, rear axle, brakes ans suspension cope with this reliably?
if memory serves, Performance Car did a write up of an American MX5 conversion that dropped somthing like a small block chevvy under the bonnet. The article noted with some surprise that most of the rest of the car was stock and didn't have a problem handling the power hike. Suggests not too much need be done for a relatively modest power increase.
Mr2Mike said:
The MX5 would be looking at an increase of over 50% on stock power. Can the standard clutch, transmission, rear axle, brakes ans suspension cope with this reliably?
Mike, the MX-5 engine internals, transmission, brakes, suspension and rear axle can cope with 100% power hike (i.e. around the 260-280bhp mark) completely reliably. Indeed, there are plenty of guys in the States who have run high boost levels achieving that sort of power for 6 figure mileages without problems.
The stock clutch, on the other hand, will not handle that sort of power/torque level, but should cope well up to about 190-200bhp.
I have owned several MR2 turbos and MX-5's and work on them for a living. The MR2 is heavy, no getting away from it, and has McPherson strut suspension (read crude, with few off the shelf worthwhile upgrades available). T tops are really floppy, as you have noted, get a coupe, and make sure it's a third gen, with far better gearbox. You shouldn't need to spend more than 5K on superb one, I sold a 96 car last year for less than 5 and took a profit, and the car was, and still is, mint, never damaged, unmodded, all original paint. 8K is ludicrous, you buy a lovely Supra twin turbo for that.
As for the MX5 this has much more modern suspension, a well located back axle, is easier to work on than the MR2, but is almost certainly a less ridgid chassis, and turbo charging one is hardly trivial, to do it properly needs low compression forged pistons, different cams and an aftermarket ECU. The way the Yanks do them, in kit form, to me, is dreadful. Make no mistake, putting forced induction on any N/A car is something not to be undertaken lightly, especially if you want it to live on track days, running the UK joke fuel octane levels.
Personally I think you should reassess the choices and bring in the Supra twin turbo as an option, or save for an S2000.
As for the MX5 this has much more modern suspension, a well located back axle, is easier to work on than the MR2, but is almost certainly a less ridgid chassis, and turbo charging one is hardly trivial, to do it properly needs low compression forged pistons, different cams and an aftermarket ECU. The way the Yanks do them, in kit form, to me, is dreadful. Make no mistake, putting forced induction on any N/A car is something not to be undertaken lightly, especially if you want it to live on track days, running the UK joke fuel octane levels.
Personally I think you should reassess the choices and bring in the Supra twin turbo as an option, or save for an S2000.
thanks for those points.
Where the hell can you get a SupraTT for 8k ?!?!?!?
for a decent sub 50k manual, the cheapest I've seen is about £12k (presume you're talking about the mk4)
have you any experience of the tubby's on track?
I've heard they eat tyres.. does this get ridiculous if you track it?
edited to ad: S2000
, but sadly they are rather too expensive!
>> Edited by Pierscoe1 on Monday 10th November 23:42
Where the hell can you get a SupraTT for 8k ?!?!?!?
for a decent sub 50k manual, the cheapest I've seen is about £12k (presume you're talking about the mk4)
have you any experience of the tubby's on track?
I've heard they eat tyres.. does this get ridiculous if you track it?
edited to ad: S2000
, but sadly they are rather too expensive! >> Edited by Pierscoe1 on Monday 10th November 23:42
Piers, You know what I am gonna say..........Tell you what, next track meet, you can have a drive in my FM2. I now have the boost turned up to 12psi. This thing eats Porky Boxster s's for breakfast. The only drivetrain mod needed for that level of boost is an ACT extreme clutch.
Debbie has a NA mk2 2 which she loves and I am rather fond of too, but it is nothing like the 5 handling-wise. Try and get a few good hours having a go in one, I would be interested to hear how you think they compare.
Debbie has a NA mk2 2 which she loves and I am rather fond of too, but it is nothing like the 5 handling-wise. Try and get a few good hours having a go in one, I would be interested to hear how you think they compare.
Pierscoe1 said:
thanks for those points.
Where the hell can you get a SupraTT for 8k ?!?!?!?
for a decent sub 50k manual, the cheapest I've seen is about £12k (presume you're talking about the mk4)
Yup. N/A Supra MkIVs are around 7-8K. Turbos are 11K+, and manuals command a premium.....
Thought i'd bttt rather than start a new thread. Honestly, Im the perfect PHer! 
I've been thinking about going topless for the summer. Thought about swapping for a MRT T bar, but thats not really the same, and they are a bit tubby (no pun intended).
Thought about an MX5 but its just too slow - I love acceleration - hence the Turbo conversion.
I'll probably end up sticking with the current steed I'd imagine.
I've been thinking about going topless for the summer. Thought about swapping for a MRT T bar, but thats not really the same, and they are a bit tubby (no pun intended).
Thought about an MX5 but its just too slow - I love acceleration - hence the Turbo conversion.
I'll probably end up sticking with the current steed I'd imagine.
MrFlibbles said:
Thought i'd bttt rather than start a new thread. Honestly, Im the perfect PHer!
I've been thinking about going topless for the summer. Thought about swapping for a MRT T bar, but thats not really the same, and they are a bit tubby (no pun intended).
Thought about an MX5 but its just too slow - I love acceleration - hence the Turbo conversion.
I'll probably end up sticking with the current steed I'd imagine.
Hi Mr Flibbles,
Where abouts in the country are you? I've got a 91 turbo mx5 currently producing about 230 bhp (210 rwhp). A friend of mine has a 1.6 92 producing over 280 bhp - thats on a stock engine btw. With a turbo on them, they are very quick, and will beat S2000's and boxster S etc I've surprised a few scoobys both on track and of the road too
Having owned both, I would go for an MR2 Turbo if you want power, easily tuned to 300bhp on stock internals.
As for tyres - Goodyear Eagle F1's, found them to be really very good with the car.
I only had a 1.8 MX5, but whilt it was fun, it just did not convey that sense of seriousness like the MR2 Turbo did. MR2 also felt much more solid on the road.
All just MHO
As for tyres - Goodyear Eagle F1's, found them to be really very good with the car.
I only had a 1.8 MX5, but whilt it was fun, it just did not convey that sense of seriousness like the MR2 Turbo did. MR2 also felt much more solid on the road.
All just MHO
Dakkon said:
Having owned both, I would go for an MR2 Turbo if you want power, easily tuned to 300bhp on stock internals.
As for tyres - Goodyear Eagle F1's, found them to be really very good with the car.
I only had a 1.8 MX5, but whilt it was fun, it just did not convey that sense of seriousness like the MR2 Turbo did. MR2 also felt much more solid on the road.
All just MHO
But your not comparing like with like. Try taking a drive in a 200 bhp mx5, thats 200 bhp/tonne, whats a 300bhp MR2 per tonne? My car produces 230bhp per tonne, it definitely conveys a sense of seriousness
True, but having driven the MX5, it has never conveyed the sense of confidence that would make me want to put loads of power through it, was kinda my point.
My MR2 turbo had a stage III hybrid turbo + other bits and bobs, when on a 300bhp rolling road it generated 282bhp and the torque curve just went straight off the top, so 300+lbs, car felt very well behaved.
My MR2 turbo had a stage III hybrid turbo + other bits and bobs, when on a 300bhp rolling road it generated 282bhp and the torque curve just went straight off the top, so 300+lbs, car felt very well behaved.
Dakkon said:
True, but having driven the MX5, it has never conveyed the sense of confidence that would make me want to put loads of power through it, was kinda my point.
My MR2 turbo had a stage III hybrid turbo + other bits and bobs, when on a 300bhp rolling road it generated 282bhp and the torque curve just went straight off the top, so 300+lbs, car felt very well behaved.
Is that 282 bhp at the wheels or flywheel?
Confidence in what? The chassis, the handling etc? Not quite sure what you mean. It seems unfounded, as there are thousands of FI mx5's putting out over 200 bhp, even mazda are making 178 bhp versions now.
The MR2 turbo, I'm sure is a fine car and with 300bhp going through it would be a blast. Its quite a heavy car though compared to the 5.
Well first off my comments are entirely based on my experiences of the two cars. I appreciate 200-250bhp in an MX5 is great, I guess what I was trying to convey is that I would not be trying for more than that and I think it would be cheaper and easier to tune the MR2 as it is already a turbo engine and has all the necessary plumbing.
As always though, drive both and get the one you like the most.
>> Edited by Dakkon on Wednesday 16th March 09:35
As always though, drive both and get the one you like the most.
>> Edited by Dakkon on Wednesday 16th March 09:35
Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff