MX5Ireland

Ok there is no secret that I plan to pick up a second 5 eventually and use it solely for track days in Mondello and Kirkistown ( and hopefully further afield ).

I want an Mx5 because it is light to begin with so it cuts out half the battle of getting your car down to a reasonable weight, handling is really good and there's the top down option there too.

So my question is...given the choice of a 1.6 or 1.8, mk1 or mk2, which one would you choose and ignoring brake upgrades and suspension tweaks, how would you use your money to make it faster?

Maybe the budget I set above is too low but for starters lets ignore forced induction,engine swaps and labour costs. I'm trying to get a feel for these cars and how you can get the most from them.

1.8 if you dont wanna turbo. As the yanks sy, there aint no substitute for cubes....

Wasn't there some post recently of track cars for sale in UK?? fully kitted etc.,
?

leamyj wrote:Wasn't there some post recently of track cars for sale in UK?? fully kitted etc.,
?

Thats the easy way out!! one I would gladly take though

I suppose what I am trying to gauge is what are the next step in mods for N/A work on Mx5's after freeing up the air intake and exhausts. Is there a proven route that people go down to get a more from their engines?

you need to talk to the turbo boys

Away with you now to the dark side, just make sure you're back in time for tea

buy a good cheap 1.8 then do this.

http://www.lightweightmiata.com/

This guy cut 400lbs of the weight, roughly the same as an elise.

Then pick up a cheap 1.6 greddy turbo kit second hand and buy or make a 1.8 manifold for the 1.6 greddy, running 6psi you should be seeing about 150-160rwhp and 150lbs of torque. This would be a very quick car with this power to weight ratio.

Tunable over time to over 240+rwhp

That's a very interesting site there Ger

ger wrote:buy a good cheap 1.8 then do this.

http://www.lightweightmiata.com/

This guy cut 400lbs of the weight, roughly the same as an elise.

Then pick up a cheap 1.6 greddy turbo kit second hand and buy or make a 1.8 manifold for the 1.6 greddy, running 6psi you should be seeing about 150-160rwhp and 150lbs of torque. This would be a very quick car with this power to weight ratio.

Tunable over time to over 240+rwhp

+1 except I'd go with a 1.6 as its lighter to begin with (and prefabbed turbo kits are cheaper if you are looking to stick to your budget).

frequency modulated wrote:So my question is...given the choice of a 1.6 or 1.8, mk1 or mk2, which one would you choose and ignoring brake upgrades and suspension tweaks, how would you use your money to make it faster?

Maybe the budget I set above is too low but for starters lets ignore forced induction,engine swaps and labour costs.

So ignore brakes, suspension, turbos and engine swops.. and you've 1,000euro/pounds...
ummmm, I'd prob go for
a set of the original 14" wheels (almost free?),
sticky tyres (camskill.co.uk 200stlg for good ones),
and frame rail braces (100stlg).
ANY ebay header (120stlg) has to be better than the original,
gut the cat (free),
cherry bomb the cat back (50stlg-max),
advance your timing (I found 16 degrees to work well),
and put a vent in your headlight lid.

oh.. and you've enough for a turbo left over.. brilliant!

So theres not many N/A engine tuning options. hmmm....

I think for this project I want to stick to N/A. I prefer it to FI although admittedly I've yet to drive a S/C but I would prefer to have a linear power delivery rather than waiting for the turbo to come in.

That lightweight miata site is half of what I am after. I want a light weight mx5 with a decent power to weight ratio. Realistically I won't be chopping the car as much as he is, the car will have to be road legal. But at a quick glance I reckon close to half his savings might be achieveable. You mentioned an Elise, I would love to get down to similar enough weight ( prob not realistic ) but definitely similar power to weight ratio.


This is all pre-planning btw, I'm not about to start yet. It will be at least the summer before I have time/money/space to do this.

frequency modulated wrote:waiting for the turbo to come in.

I've not experienced lag in any of the turbo'd MX5s I've driven. FM kits almost produce boost when idling they spin so early GReddys keep spinning if you keep the revs above 2.5/3krpm (which is where they should be anyway if you are looking to stay in the powerband).

*Fingers in Ears* I don't want a turbo - I don't want a turbo - I don't want a turbo - I don't want a turbo - I don't want a turbo *Fingers in Ears*









ok, go on...how much would an entry level turbo kit cost me? Surely I wouldn't have enough out of a grand ( for this argument ) based on your other mods, would I!?!?

hmm.. best to keep an eye on the classifieds on the forums..
Have def seen kits go for under 500e.

Heres a new base kit for under 900e :
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/gred ... 86hc03h8o0

but stuff like this crops up regularly :
381 whp turbo kit, $1,000
http://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t41656/



LOL How much??
http://www.jdmperformance.co.nz/proddet ... 0-Yes.html

Ok so a TRACK only car?

1st thing is to remove everything, lights, interior, door cards, glass, everything. Sure cut the windscreen off.

Ignoring the sus brakes and turbos.
Turn the car into a proper track car. Balance the weight of the car by moving things. Get a 4 point harness and a bum holding seat. The seat makes a huge difference. Set the seat perfectlly to suit you. same with the steering and controls. Much harder to drive an uncomfortable car fast.

Get the car aligned for track use, Toe camber and caster.

Next, I've always noticed that the 5s tend to oversteer a lot on the throttle at especially at the hairpin in Kirko. Get some wide and sticky rubber. (dunlop slicks can get bought cheap from teh Punto cup cars) The slicks have amazing grip but they WILL take it out of your ball joints, wheel bearnings and bushes.

For kirko specifically you might want to condiser a rear wing for debtors help keep the rear planted.

Basically make the car suit it's purpose and make the car comfortable for you to drive. Then you can upgrade whatever to suit your driving style.

Hope this helps.