Mk1 turbo, pros and cons?
Discussion
Evening all, I'm viewing a very tidy 270 ish bhp mk1 turbo this coming weekend and I'd like to hear some owners experiences.
For a while it will likely be a daily driver. 5 mile commute on B roads then some fun driving. I've had sub 20mpg cars in the past so hopefully fuel wouldn't be too much of a shock, all the work has been done to an exceptional standard with top quality parts and no repairs necessary. I have good knowledge of the build and know the owner and several mutual friends so not concerned about the particular car. More trying to learn what they are like generally.
Ive had a standard mk2 1.6 before and loved it but I have no personal experience of a turbo mx5. I've had this much power in other cars but not RWD or in anything so light and raw.
For a while it will likely be a daily driver. 5 mile commute on B roads then some fun driving. I've had sub 20mpg cars in the past so hopefully fuel wouldn't be too much of a shock, all the work has been done to an exceptional standard with top quality parts and no repairs necessary. I have good knowledge of the build and know the owner and several mutual friends so not concerned about the particular car. More trying to learn what they are like generally.
Ive had a standard mk2 1.6 before and loved it but I have no personal experience of a turbo mx5. I've had this much power in other cars but not RWD or in anything so light and raw.
I had a turbo Mk1 for a couple of years, when just cruising along it was more economical than a standard one! Running around 250bhp at the wheels (according to previous owner, I never had it on a dyno myself) so maybe 300ish at the crank, but tuned more for mid-range torque than top end power. It was still very predictable and easy to drive, much scarier as a passenger than driver. I never realised just how quick it felt from the passenger seat until I let a mate drive... and that was only on low boost! 
It was a lot of fun, but low and stiff enough to be more at home on track than road and loud enough that I wore earplugs on long trips. If I'd put more road-friendly suspension and a quieter exhaust on it I probably would have kept it longer.
Overall I don't think I actually had any more fun with it than a standard one, just a different type of fun. No regrets from owning it though, it was a good experience.
It was a lot of fun, but low and stiff enough to be more at home on track than road and loud enough that I wore earplugs on long trips. If I'd put more road-friendly suspension and a quieter exhaust on it I probably would have kept it longer.
Overall I don't think I actually had any more fun with it than a standard one, just a different type of fun. No regrets from owning it though, it was a good experience.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 20th October 08:05
Drive it fix it repeat said:
Ive had a standard mk2 1.6 before and loved it but I have no personal experience of a turbo mx5. I've had this much power in other cars but not RWD or in anything so light and raw.
If you had a 1.6 then you'll be used to driving it hard but still being at sensible road speeds.Going to turbo, and 200hp plus and you'll quickly find yourself at illegal speeds pretty quickly in an MX5. Different experience, and requires a different mentality and perhaps different roads. Certainly make the track interesting!
Fives can handle more power easily providing brakes and suspension has also been upgraded.
The only drawback is it magnifies their tendency to lift-off oversteer, especially on damp roads - ask me how I know.
It might be an idea to book onto a skid pan session or driving day so you can explore the handling in a safe environment.
Roundabouts in Basingstoke are deffo not recommended
Interestingly a mate bought a turbo car having run N/A for some time.
He had to sell it because though he enjoyed the extra poke his missus was petrified each time she passengered - and she was used to driving track-days!
The only drawback is it magnifies their tendency to lift-off oversteer, especially on damp roads - ask me how I know.
It might be an idea to book onto a skid pan session or driving day so you can explore the handling in a safe environment.
Roundabouts in Basingstoke are deffo not recommended
Interestingly a mate bought a turbo car having run N/A for some time.
He had to sell it because though he enjoyed the extra poke his missus was petrified each time she passengered - and she was used to driving track-days!
Edited by pewe on Thursday 3rd December 12:25
pewe said:
The only drawback is it magnifies their tendency to lift-off oversteer, especially on damp roads - ask me how I know.
The power level shouldn't make any difference to lift-off oversteer, more likely due to a change of suspension? I guess arriving at corners faster could reveal existing driving habits that cause lift-off oversteer.
More power oversteer well yes...
OP here. I now own a turbo mk1 making 270bhp with a sizeable Borg Warner turbo. it’s awaiting a built engine and a handful of other little bits before the boost gets wound up for proper levels of insanity. It’s completely different to a standard car but still huge fun, basically DO IT!
ShinyPsyduck said:
pti said:
Similar situation to you so I'm collecting a turbo NB on Friday:
Nice one. I think you will need to dechrome that one a little but the basics are all there- the wheels are a nice bonus. Nice looking NB, congrats, turbo too.
threespires said:
ShinyPsyduck said:
pti said:
Similar situation to you so I'm collecting a turbo NB on Friday:
Nice one. I think you will need to dechrome that one a little but the basics are all there- the wheels are a nice bonus. Nice looking NB, congrats, turbo too.
It may well have done but it's no longer there. It has a custom facia housing the AFR and boost gauges, toggle switch for high and low power maps and a volume knob for a hard wired bluetooth amp.
Drive it fix it repeat said:
OP here. I now own a turbo mk1 making 270bhp with a sizeable Borg Warner turbo. it’s awaiting a built engine and a handful of other little bits before the boost gets wound up for proper levels of insanity. It’s completely different to a standard car but still huge fun, basically DO IT!
Pictures, man!!pti said:
Drive it fix it repeat said:
OP here. I now own a turbo mk1 making 270bhp with a sizeable Borg Warner turbo. it’s awaiting a built engine and a handful of other little bits before the boost gets wound up for proper levels of insanity. It’s completely different to a standard car but still huge fun, basically DO IT!
Pictures, man!!
I have just snapped these in my work break so you’ll have to forgive the filthy car and crap phone pics and winter wheels, it’s in daily use at the moment. Propably the least flattering I can make it look haha. It has a huge spec...
borg Warner turbo
Skuzzle performance clutch
1050cc injectors
3 inch custom exhaust no cat
Mk2 1.6 engine
Cobra bucket seats
5race roll cage
Lightened fly wheel
Engine brace
coil overs
Huge inter cooler
Uprated pads and discs
There’s 3 times that list again but without checking paperwork that’s the main things that come to mind. It was always meant to be a
4-500 bhp build so everything is done big and done right. Just needs a few small bits and a strong engine basically. The naff rear lights are going back to standard, the roll cage is going to be colour matched to the body and I’m considering a set of original alloys. Basically I want it to look reasonably standard but with a sting in the tail.
Edited by Drive it fix it repeat on Tuesday 8th December 10:34
Zed. said:
Drive it fix it repeat said:
thats an awful lot for a 1.6, it would be an awful lot for a 1.8 
Rich.
ShinyPsyduck said:
Does anyone know/predict what 0-62 times/ tops speeds you can expect on a turbo mx5? NA or NB.
Thanks,
I am supercharging mine, but been in a couple of turbos both running around 200bhp. One guy reckoned he was running 5.8 sec 0-60, and I can believe when they hook up. Maybe even faster? Remember they are generally 200-250 bhp-per-ton, and are low geared compared to other performance cars. I think that is why they feel really quick accelerating, they won't pull 150mph but hit the limiter in 5th quite easily....... Thanks,
Drive it fix it repeat said:
Top speed I dont know, whatever the limiter is in fifth.
IIRC I calculated it from the gearing when I had mine at around 235km/h (146mph), that had an NB 5-speed in an NA but I don't know if the ratios were any different to an NA gearbox.Didn't take too long to get there either (on a track of course officer). JDM speedo pegged itself at 180km/h but the revs kept winding out.
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