NB Performance
Discussion
Northants MX5 do 1.8 VVT engine swaps from £950 fitted. Noticeably more power at 142 bhp opposed to 110 bhp.
InitialDave said:
steady eddie said:
There is always a smart arse
I'm not being a smart arse.Buying a later 1.8 instead is the cheapest ~35bhp power hike you'll get.
I welded the front rails. Did a few track days. Thrashed it round a few AutoSolo's, and still sold at a profit.
I had two 1.6s and then a 1.8 (all mk1s but I assume the mk2 is very similar) and the 1.8 was a bit quicker but not quite as much fun - the 1.6 seemed to rev better. I did the 14 degree timing advance mod on both and the 1.6 responded better to it, but it made both a lot nicer to drive - have you tried that? It makes it feel more torquey lower down and all you need is a timing light and a spanner.
That said I don't think I would bother changing a decent 1.6 to a 1.8 as there's really not that much extra fun to be - the 1.6 is already a great car, to 1.8 is just a tiny bit faster - if your car is in good condition and rust free I'd keep it and enjoy it.
I'd be looking at a turbo conversion if I owned one again, but you need 2 or 3k to do that for the kit + rolling road etc...
The other thing is to enhance the feeling of speed rather than actual speed with a bit more noise - mine had an MX5Parts twin pipe with a silenced decat and a custom (ie. home made) airbox that fed from the scuttle at the base of the windscreen, so you got more exhaust and induction noise (and the occasional exhaust pop) and for some reason on the 1.6 the custom inlet gave it a slightly throbby sound which was great fun. In enjoyed driving them a lot more with that stuff fitted, it was just too quiet as standard.
That said I don't think I would bother changing a decent 1.6 to a 1.8 as there's really not that much extra fun to be - the 1.6 is already a great car, to 1.8 is just a tiny bit faster - if your car is in good condition and rust free I'd keep it and enjoy it.
I'd be looking at a turbo conversion if I owned one again, but you need 2 or 3k to do that for the kit + rolling road etc...
The other thing is to enhance the feeling of speed rather than actual speed with a bit more noise - mine had an MX5Parts twin pipe with a silenced decat and a custom (ie. home made) airbox that fed from the scuttle at the base of the windscreen, so you got more exhaust and induction noise (and the occasional exhaust pop) and for some reason on the 1.6 the custom inlet gave it a slightly throbby sound which was great fun. In enjoyed driving them a lot more with that stuff fitted, it was just too quiet as standard.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 22 August 18:54
JimSuperSix said:
I had two 1.6s and then a 1.8 (all mk1s but I assume the mk2 is very similar)
It depends, if the 1.6s were earlier ones, then the difference between their power and the Mk1 1.8 isn't as pronounced, I think it's about 115bhp vs 130bhp, so half the gain the OP would get from his mk2 1.6 stepping up to a late VVT 1.8.If his car is indeed rust free, I'd definitely favour an engine swap rather than a car swap if going that way.
rubberlung said:
Northants MX5 do 1.8 VVT engine swaps from £950 fitted. Noticeably more power at 142 bhp opposed to 110 bhp.
If you really like your MX5 and it is and excellent one in terms of general condition, I think the above suggestion is an excellent one.Otherwise, what about NOS as a wild card? Seems largely forgotten these days.
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