HOW DO I GET MORE POWER OUT OF MY ND 1.5 ??

emu · Postby **emu** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:05 pm

I managed to win the State Title Production Sports Car class up to 1600cc at Collingrove Hillclimb in 2015 , and the Gold Medal in the Masters Games in 2015 in my little ND 1.5 auto ,
but since then have won titles in my Smart Car Roadster and Subaru in 2016 and 2017
Now I want to go back into the ND , but there's a lot of very quick NA's around , and I need more power.
What can you effectively buy for them or have modified to significantly lift the power ?
Also , should I be asking this in a different column here ?
Thanks ,Pete 0413 133233 E. peter.emes@outlook.com or PM or reply here

CeramicND · Postby **CeramicND** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:26 pm

Biggest problem is that almost all western development is for the 2.0. I recently installed an Open Flash Tablet (OFT) ECU tune and it has made a difference (more than I can say for a local ECUTEK tune I wasted my time on last year), but again it is only for the 2.0. I think the muffler and midpipe are the same for both models but the header isn't. If you can find a competent tuner, maybe a ecu tune, a goodwin race muffler from mx5parts.com.au and a cold air intake from Rev9 for a reasonable power increase. If cost is not an obstacle there is an Odula header on Rev9 but it isn't cheap.

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rascal · Postby **rascal** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:44 pm

BBR in the UK also do an ecu upgrade for the 1.5. Claimed 20hp gain.
http://www.bbrgti.com/product/bbr-mx-5-nd-starchip/

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:48 pm

Peter, are you aware of the gearbox issue? I don't know if it is just the 2l cars that have/had it, but it would be something to check out before going too far with mods. Supposed to be fixed in later cars but it sounds like yours is an early one.

:mrgreen:

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:40 am

Turbo

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 11:15 am

trade it in for a 2l auto - that gives a lot more power but then the question arises again how does one get more power from... and so it goes. Its seems the subject guy is a very competent driver - afterall there are guys running Austin 7s in Hillclimbs so power is not everything esp when it comes to skill.

emu · Postby **emu** » Tue May 02, 2017 4:38 pm

Thanks Guys
No I don't have any problems with the auto trans ............sorry to hear that maybe some of the 2 litre cars are.
The reason I bought the 1.5 was that I intended (and did ) use it for hillclimbs , and our classifications at Collingrove in 2F Production Sports are .........up to 1600cc (that suits me and my 1.5, so I'm ultra competitive) ,...... but the next classification in 2F is 1601cc to 3000cc , so if I bought a 2.0 , I'd be competing against Porsches etc etc with next to no chance.
And whilst the auto is at more than a split second disadvantage against a manual at the launch ,.... once moving in "Sport" mode , the auto is a bloody ripper .....you can hold it in any gear to valve bounce and IT WILL NOT change gears on you , plus the changes are instantaneous . In fact on sprint circuit events, once you're rolling I've found the ND auto to be an advantage over the manual.
Well , from what you've mainly said , looks like by NEXT season there may be a decent reflash available for the 1.5 , so I'll just be patient.
Thanks , Pete .

emu · Postby **emu** » Tue May 02, 2017 4:51 pm

I should have mentioned re the turbo suggestion , that in competition classes , once you add a turbo or supercharger , your cc capacity is multiplied by the Scrutineers by X 1.7 , , so my little 1.5 would become classed as 2550cc and in the same class as the 3000cc Porsches etc ...........no thanks.
Cheers Pete

Blackmx52807 · Postby **Blackmx52807** » Mon May 08, 2017 3:47 pm

Come on Pete, 2F Production Class to 3Litre are MX5s, sure Ive knocked off all the Porches that have entered but it is a only a NA8 : )

emu · Postby **emu** » Tue May 30, 2017 4:57 pm

Sure Blackie , and you're a legend , but if I had the moola you've spent on yours I'd prob be driving a Porsche,lol

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue May 30, 2017 6:11 pm

Instead of asking how to get more power, why don't you ask how to get quicker times? I would be asking how do I make my car lighter, and handle/brake better.

ND1.5 · Postby **ND1.5** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 10:59 am

I have a BBR 200 Kit coming from the UK for my ND 1.5

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 3:43 pm

Like Lightyear said, improve skills, lighten the car, mod the suspension, etc.
Easiest would be to strip as much as you can out of the car.

speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Jun 15, 2017 9:17 am

Suspect it would be just like any other 4 banger. Inlet, exhaust, cams, ecu.
Speak to some of the forum sponsors like automotive plus ;)

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