BBR GTi - Super 200 - Any experiences?
BBR GTi - Super 200 - Any experiences?
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Discussion

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Monday 23rd June
quotequote all
Morning all,

I’ve done a search on BBR and read all the threads and was wondering if anyone had any experience / feedback on the company and the conversion I’m thinking about?

My Mx5 is the 2.0 ND2 184PS and I was considering:

- Super 200 (catted manifold)
- GT backbox

And possibly:

- Lowering springs
- Centre section exhaust

Would like a less muted exhaust tone but definitely nothing drony, far too old for that biggrin

Pic of my MX5 to make this thread slightly more interesting:



Nickp82

3,660 posts

111 months

Monday 23rd June
quotequote all
My BBR experience is Mk3 based so probably not entirely relevant but for what it’s worth;

I have driven a lot of MX-5s (mainly mark 3&4) , probably the best if not the best was a mark 3 with the 200 package plus upgraded suspension , exhaust (BBR Supersport I think ) and a BBR geo set up. It was so much fun, quicker than standard obviously but still able to work it hard without going crazy speeds and retains the core character of the car. I would recommend the 200 to anyone who is using their MX only on the road.

I have a mk3 with the BBR supercharger kit as a track car and when I’ve needed things from BBR I’ve had no issues and found their service to be good. The kit wasn’t installed by them.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Tuesday 24th June
quotequote all
Nickp82 said:
My BBR experience is Mk3 based so probably not entirely relevant but for what it s worth;

I have driven a lot of MX-5s (mainly mark 3&4) , probably the best if not the best was a mark 3 with the 200 package plus upgraded suspension , exhaust (BBR Supersport I think ) and a BBR geo set up. It was so much fun, quicker than standard obviously but still able to work it hard without going crazy speeds and retains the core character of the car. I would recommend the 200 to anyone who is using their MX only on the road.

I have a mk3 with the BBR supercharger kit as a track car and when I ve needed things from BBR I ve had no issues and found their service to be good. The kit wasn t installed by them.
That all sounds great, thanks for the reply. I have booked mine in smile

Belle427

10,961 posts

251 months

Tuesday 24th June
quotequote all
It would have benefitted you to head over to the MX5 owners club forums for a better idea of them.
Bit of a marmite company.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Wednesday 25th June
quotequote all
Belle427 said:
It would have benefitted you to head over to the MX5 owners club forums for a better idea of them.
Bit of a marmite company.
I’ll report back with experience in due course. So far, so good. Friendly and given the advice I needed thumbup

handbraketurn

1,397 posts

184 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
Also can't speak for the ND, but don't think it's a huge difference in exhaust and engine from NC.

If you get the catted 4-2-1 manifold, and leave the standard centre section with a standard secondary cat and resonator, that should stop too much drone. It's the high flow or straight through centre pipe that really increases the drone.

My NC has centre and rear box, not BBR but IL Motorsport, it is a bit drone like on the motorway but bearable, just.

I met someone recently who had a decaf manifold and standard secondary cat mid pipe and he said he passed the MOT when car was up to temperature, but appreciate it's a bit of a risk if it doesn't as you're left with having to replace the manifold potentially.


JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Wednesday 23rd July
quotequote all
handbraketurn said:
Also can't speak for the ND, but don't think it's a huge difference in exhaust and engine from NC.

If you get the catted 4-2-1 manifold, and leave the standard centre section with a standard secondary cat and resonator, that should stop too much drone. It's the high flow or straight through centre pipe that really increases the drone.

My NC has centre and rear box, not BBR but IL Motorsport, it is a bit drone like on the motorway but bearable, just.

I met someone recently who had a decaf manifold and standard secondary cat mid pipe and he said he passed the MOT when car was up to temperature, but appreciate it's a bit of a risk if it doesn't as you're left with having to replace the manifold potentially.
Thanks for the reply. I’ve gone for the catted manifold, centre section standard and GT backbox. Hopefully will make a nicer noise than standard but not drone.

Didn’t want to worry about passing MOT so went catted manifold at BBR’s advice.

handbraketurn

1,397 posts

184 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
handbraketurn said:
Also can't speak for the ND, but don't think it's a huge difference in exhaust and engine from NC.

If you get the catted 4-2-1 manifold, and leave the standard centre section with a standard secondary cat and resonator, that should stop too much drone. It's the high flow or straight through centre pipe that really increases the drone.

My NC has centre and rear box, not BBR but IL Motorsport, it is a bit drone like on the motorway but bearable, just.

I met someone recently who had a decaf manifold and standard secondary cat mid pipe and he said he passed the MOT when car was up to temperature, but appreciate it's a bit of a risk if it doesn't as you're left with having to replace the manifold potentially.
Thanks for the reply. I ve gone for the catted manifold, centre section standard and GT backbox. Hopefully will make a nicer noise than standard but not drone.

Didn t want to worry about passing MOT so went catted manifold at BBR s advice.
Yes, wise choice. Don't think a well known tuner like BBR can really give any tiger advice than car being MOT compliant.

I don't think it makes a huge amount of difference in BHP, its just that with N/A tuning, you're spending a lot of money for 20-25BHP gains, so even a 5bhp reduction is quite a lot in terms of the overall percentage. That said, it's still going to feel a lot more responsive and have more pick up than standard. I think also the maps just give a more aggressive power curve making it more usable for spirited driving.

How long did you it take to get a slot at BBR out of interest?


JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Thursday 24th July
quotequote all
handbraketurn said:
How long did you it take to get a slot at BBR out of interest?
I’ve got it booked about two months after I called, but then I specified the dates because I have some time off then. Not sure if they could have done it sooner.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Tuesday 2nd September
quotequote all
Thought I’d update the thread for anyone interested.

Super 200 fitted along with the GT backbox. A couple of minor issues on the day of fitting but overall I enjoyed the experience and would recommend.

The exhaust is subtle, I’d describe it as OEM+. No drone in motorways and doesn’t seem much louder in the cabin, but still a nicer noise than standard.

Overall the driving experience is much nicer - although not massive gains (up to 200bhp and 175 lb ft) it certainly feels quicker and more eager to rev out. Torque noticeable as well, especially on the motorway when accelerating in sixth. It’s a nippy little car!

Of course now I’m eying up turbo conversions and all sorts but will let it settle for a while and maybe go for lowering springs and centre section next.

hellsbuddha

295 posts

261 months

Wednesday 3rd September
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Good to know and pleased it worked out and you are happy

stickylabels

862 posts

110 months

Saturday 6th September
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Thought I’d update the thread for anyone interested.

Super 200 fitted along with the GT backbox. A couple of minor issues on the day of fitting but overall I enjoyed the experience and would recommend.

The exhaust is subtle, I’d describe it as OEM+. No drone in motorways and doesn’t seem much louder in the cabin, but still a nicer noise than standard.

Overall the driving experience is much nicer - although not massive gains (up to 200bhp and 175 lb ft) it certainly feels quicker and more eager to rev out. Torque noticeable as well, especially on the motorway when accelerating in sixth. It’s a nippy little car!

Of course now I’m eying up turbo conversions and all sorts but will let it settle for a while and maybe go for lowering springs and centre section next.
Thanks for posting up, we recently bought an ND2 RF and are wondering which direction to go in. I have fitted an IL Motorsport silicone intake boot between the airbox and the TB and have a BMC filter for the standard box ordered but no here yet. I did have an HKS back box on order but cancelled it due to taking forever to arrive and have been back at the BBR page wondering what to do.

Their catted manifold is tempting for a next stage before going any further but what you have done may make more sense for a genuine improvement in an OEM+ way.

What little issues did they have? I would have to order and have sent to Scotland so avoiding phaff is important!

Please keep the updates coming too.

Cheers

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Saturday 6th September
quotequote all
stickylabels said:
Thanks for posting up, we recently bought an ND2 RF and are wondering which direction to go in. I have fitted an IL Motorsport silicone intake boot between the airbox and the TB and have a BMC filter for the standard box ordered but no here yet. I did have an HKS back box on order but cancelled it due to taking forever to arrive and have been back at the BBR page wondering what to do.

Their catted manifold is tempting for a next stage before going any further but what you have done may make more sense for a genuine improvement in an OEM+ way.

What little issues did they have? I would have to order and have sent to Scotland so avoiding phaff is important!

Please keep the updates coming too.

Cheers
Not really issues more minor inconveniences like the fitting took a couple of hours longer than expected because an unexpected software download was needed.


stickylabels

862 posts

110 months

Saturday 6th September
quotequote all
JFReturns said:
Not really issues more minor inconveniences like the fitting took a couple of hours longer than expected because an unexpected software download was needed.
Understood, cheers for that. Be good to get a feel for your thoughts on it after a few weeks or so.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Saturday 6th September
quotequote all
stickylabels said:
Understood, cheers for that. Be good to get a feel for your thoughts on it after a few weeks or so.
Will do, I might start a readers cars thread smile

It’s been three weeks so far and zero issues. Everything works like it did previously and fuel economy is at least the same despite giving it more beans for testing purposes biggrin

stickylabels

862 posts

110 months

Saturday 6th September
quotequote all
thumbup

Delonghi

6 posts

137 months

Monday 8th September
quotequote all
Lowering springs (Eibach Pro Sport Kit from MX5Parts is very keenly priced) together with a fast road setup alignment will reap more rewards.

A stubby aerial will improve aerodynamics also... ;-)

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Tuesday 9th September
quotequote all
Delonghi said:
Lowering springs (Eibach Pro Sport Kit from MX5Parts is very keenly priced) together with a fast road setup alignment will reap more rewards.

A stubby aerial will improve aerodynamics also... ;-)
Thanks!

I might even be able to fit the aerial myself biggrin


Edited by JFReturns on Thursday 11th September 10:58

edo111s

228 posts

243 months

Thursday 11th September
quotequote all
I’ve got an ND2 2L to which 3 years ago I had the Bbrgti super200 kit fitted by them along centre section and gt exhaust.
Sport cat fitted.

All good and no issues after 3 years and many miles.
Performance increase is not massive but higher rev and a richer sound make the car a lot more enjoyable.

The end result is IMHO a unique sport car in this price bracket.
My Elise was comparable, less wobbly, and with a far better steering but oh so much less usable.

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,750 posts

189 months

Thursday 11th September
quotequote all
edo111s said:
I ve got an ND2 2L to which 3 years ago I had the Bbrgti super200 kit fitted by them along centre section and gt exhaust.
Sport cat fitted.

All good and no issues after 3 years and many miles.
Performance increase is not massive but higher rev and a richer sound make the car a lot more enjoyable.

The end result is IMHO a unique sport car in this price bracket.
My Elise was comparable, less wobbly, and with a far better steering but oh so much less usable.
That’s great to hear! I was thinking of going centre section next to release a few more horsies and enhance the sound a little further.