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Hello everybody. I am looking at buying an SP at the moment and wanted to do some homework first. I've found out so far that my old NA hard top will fit the SP and also that the SP didn't come with an LSD where the SE does. What are the other differences between the two models? Why is the SP so much more powerful than the SE when the boost pressure is virtually the same? There is only 0.5 difference in compression ratio but this wouldn't make up for the 30+ Kw power difference. Have Mazda Mortorsport Australia re-mapped and tuned the SP that well and achieved this extra 30+ Kw in power? Isn't the SP just a Garrett bolt on kit to a standard engined MX-5? If this is the case, then the SE with the lower compression ratio should still have a lot more \"untapped power\" still left in it. Love the look of the SE but i would imagine that the SP should hold its value better in years to come. Any info on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Cheers... John.

Oh boy... you've done it now!

The SP has a bigger turbo, so more power and boost is available from the stock setup. The SE only has a standard, very restrictive exhaust. Changing this along gives a decent bump in power.

For extensive reading on the two, and people's opinions, Read Here.

Bloody n00bies.

Boy oh boy... The decision has just become harder now that i've read some of the threads/links some of you have suggested that i read RE: SP & SE differences. In general i have concluded for myself that the SP has the ultimate power \"out of the box\" but the SE the all round package \"out of the box\". Obviously the SP is the rarer of the two models but i assume the SE can be modded up to SP specs easily via bigger turbo/exhaust and also aftermarket ECU because of non-SVT. Is this correct? Thanks to everybody for their info and links. Cheers... John.

Or you can buy an SP and leave the engine alone and not have to worry about emissions/noise/insurance hassles and upgrade the suspension and diff to your specs. You'll end up with pretty much the same final result either way as they are both based on the same platform. It depends whether you prefer to modify the engine or suspension or both for that matter.

You have it in a nutshell John. Look for the best deal and go from there I reckon. Of course if its not an SP its just a pale imitation

.......can they get to 11 pages AGAIN???..............

Reflecting back on old SP Vs SE post, my SP has long been sold (to a good friend) and the SE project is now in running-in phase. Not long now 'til full tune / boost.. Hope everything holds together!

Interesting, why did you sell your SP and embark on a project for more kws with the SE?

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Thanks for that Okibi, seen that link many times before, a very informative page that ultimately led me to buy an SE (over turbo'ing a NB8A). Mainly curious to hear why one particular SP owner has gone backwards so to speak after having owned an SP with plenty of power from the factory.

luzinit wrote:Thanks for that Okibi, seen that link many times before, a very informative page that ultimately led me to buy an SE (over turbo'ing a NB8A). Mainly curious to hear why one particular SP owner has gone backwards so to speak after having owned an SP with plenty of power from the factory.

Hi,
I didn't want to do what i've done on the SE on the SP (forged engine build with GT28/60RS, Vipec ECU, and other minor mods - AVO upgraded intercooler, AEM intake, SMB exhaust, NPC clutch etc). So i sold the SP to a good friend.
We are hoping for / expecting 200 kW at the SE's tyres. I like the few added features of the SE over the SP too; body work changes, LSD, the red colour. I tend to change cars / try cars often but due to the $$ i've sunk into this SE, it might be staying a while. LOL..

John, you are economical with your forum posts! Are you planning something big for your 20th :-)

A dyno graph perhaps?

The American wrote:John, you are economical with your forum posts! Are you planning something big for your 20th :-)

A dyno graph perhaps?

Hi,
Not sure i follow re: i am economical with my forum posts sorry; but i am excited to get my car back and eager for the full tune soon.
My tuner says "it will make what it makes" (hp wise); but engine builder has advised the engine will be restricted to 200kW regardless). Still not going to take on the R35 GTR regardless. LOL..
Thanks..

He just means that since 2006 you've only made 20 posts.

I don't understand why the engine would be restricted to 200kw. If you've got forged rods, then you should be good for a bit more. The transmission is the next "weak" point, around 260kw (350whp) - well actually it would be the torque, but I don't know that figure of the top of my head. Did you upgrade the turbo? The stock SE turbo isn't good for much over 160-170kw. But if you've upgraded rods and turbo, then you should be all good. Not that you wouldn't be happy with 200kw