To Turbo or Not To Turbo... That Is The Question.

TrackAttack · Postby **TrackAttack** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 5:04 pm

FYI, in the lovely United States of America, the SE (Mazdaspeed Miata) had the 4.1 and 6 speed. So even though it moves the rev range higher, I'm of the opinion that if the factory were happy with it, its not going to be that bad. Naturally if you have a loud exhaust it will be more noisy, but personally I would just do the Diff, and later the flywheel/clutch option.

I have dríven a few 4.3/4.1/3.9 6 speed MX5's. None of these bothered me in any way, the 3.6 however I find offensive...

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 5:36 pm

kalt wrote:
5isalive wrote:
We don't need a "beast" or anything like that, and we don't want to sacrifice the reliability of our MX-5. We just want a little more grunt when required.

Cheers, Wayne & Cath.

If you want only a little more grunt when required, go nitrous kit?

http://www.turbomx5.com/nitro1.htm

While quietly ignoring the minor fact that it is illegal on the roads..

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 5:53 pm

rascal wrote:
kalt wrote:
5isalive wrote:
We don't need a "beast" or anything like that, and we don't want to sacrifice the reliability of our MX-5. We just want a little more grunt when required.

Cheers, Wayne & Cath.

If you want only a little more grunt when required, go nitrous kit?

http://www.turbomx5.com/nitro1.htm

While quietly ignoring the minor fact that it is illegal on the roads..

And you still need ECu or other stuff to also add fuel when you kick it in.
And you need to refill the stuff.

Note re: illegality.
In Vic you can't have nitrous, Nor can you even have the system hooked up without any bottle attached.

speed · Postby **speed** » Fri Aug 07, 2015 6:46 pm

What exactly is your budget?
There is a full turbo kit going for 3k in the classified section that includes exhaust. Get your sons mate to fit and be prepared for 3 times the power and torque.
Might sound expensive buy you only have 60,000kms and sounds like you want to keep it for a bit

5isalive · Postby **5isalive** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:31 am

Hi everyone, and thank you again for your continued help in this matter.

Firstly, I see a few comments regarding nitrous... This won't be happening.

Secondly, "speed" suggested a turbo kit that he's aware of for sale. If I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate, but I don't. So no turbo at this point. I was actually looking at an SE complete engine including turbo for around $3,500. I would love to go that route, but it's all about dollars for us at this time. Unless someone wants to donate one, but I don't think that's going to happen. :wink:

I now feel that the best and cheapest option would be the ratio change. I'm fairly certain that we'll go for the 3:9 and later on down the track when we finally need a new clutch to go in, add a lighter flywheel. Thanks hks_kansei for supplying us with your ratio calculations. These have been crucial in us deciding on the 3:9 rather than the 4:1.

Anyhow, we really do appreciate all the great input and suggestions that has come our way. You make us feel very proud to be members of such a caring and helpful community.

Thank you so much.

Wayne & Cath. :NB8B:

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:09 pm

The ratio change should be the most cost effective.

Bear in mind you'll still need to budget for a bit of labour if not doing it yourself.

The diff will need to be removed from the car, then will need to be opened up and disassembled, the new ring gear and pinion fitted, the tolerances etc set, then the lot reassembled and put back into the car.

Removing the diff should take maybe an hour max for a shop, the process is easy, but often the bolts are stuck or rusted.

The dissasembly and reassembly (plus tolerances etc) maybe budget $200 to $300 (from memory my diff builder said it was $150 for him to assemble and have the tolerances set. (so no disassembly part)

And then another hour for the whole lot to go back into the car.

I'd suggest that you might be able to have the lot put in for maybe $600 or so (including oils etc)

Finding a 3.9 ratio may be the difficult part, since that was (in australia) only available with the limited edition 10th anniversary MX5.
I think from memory it was fairly common though in Japan, and maybe the USA.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:14 pm

I'll also add.

If you like I can provide you with contact details for the person who built my diff, he should be able to source you the parts you need.

He's in Victoria, but pretty sure he will be happy to post the parts (a ring and pinion aren't particularly large or heavy)

IanR · Postby **IanR** » Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:43 pm

Can I say that in the situation your in, just drive the car...and, when you need more power on the hills, just change gears.

Even simple mods costs plenty of money (if your paying for a mechanic) and wont change things that much, the car is already fun, I'd say save your money and just enjoy it as it is.

OR.... extend the mortgage, drop 12k on a badass drive in drive out turbo conversion and triple your hp!