SP vs SE vs Supercharged NC

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:01 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
JBT wrote:An NA wasn't on the OP's list of options.

NA / NB, same thing compared to an NC.

Yep, both are "old technology". :mrgreen:

hb · Postby hb » Mon Jul 30, 2012 6:53 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
JBT wrote:An NA wasn't on the OP's list of options.

NA / NB, same thing compared to an NC.

except the NBs hes listed are both factory turbo

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:38 pm

Stop going off topic! OP has narrowed his choice down to an SE or an NC. Stop blathering on about NAs or even stock NBs.

Keith · Postby **Keith** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:57 pm

Depending on your intended class, an NC offers you the option of upgrading to a 2.3 or 2.5 litre block later on. This swap is becoming relatively common in the USA but I am not sure if anyone has gone down that path locally. The info I have seen suggests you keep the NC head, and the extra CDs come from stroking the Mazda 3 SP 23 or 25 engine. Just a thought....

Keith · Postby **Keith** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:58 pm

Bloody autocorrect...CCs, not CDs!!!!

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:00 pm

Theres a 2.5 locally.

Dann

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:17 pm

Stop going off topic! OP has narrowed his choice down to an SE or an NC. Stop blathering on about NAs or even stock NBs.

The SP model was also mentioned. But your correct enough

Madanark · Postby **Madanark** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:49 pm

It really depends on what it will be used for and what kind of power delivery you are after...
I'm running a NC with an SC and the power delivery is similar to a stock NC but there is just more grunt. Lots of down low torque but sorta runs out of puff up higher.
$35k might not be enough for the NC as you'll want suspension ($2000-$3000), SC ($7500 installed with clutch) and if you want to do any track work, brakes ($2000) and wheels ($1500) too. (all approx. prices)

Your best first move is to drive both.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:31 pm

Here's what is supposedly an SP for sale off eBay for $15k with 128k kms.

Though on closer inspection of the photos, the car does not look like an SP:
- It does not have the SP interior bling
- Exhaust tip looks like standard NB
- No SP decal (though this could have been removed)
- Couldn't really tell from the photos if there is an intercooler or not.
- And finally, the add says, this is a 2003 model car. I know the last of the SPs were 2002 model NB8Bs. I got one of the last ones (March 2002 build date / April 2002 Compliance).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261058341582 ... 3D1&_rdc=1

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:11 am

The best spend would be a neat engineered turbo or supercharged NB or NA.

Period.

Dann

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:18 am

Hammer wrote:Here's what is supposedly an SP for sale off eBay for $15k with 128k kms.

Though on closer inspection of the photos, the car does not look like an SP:
- It does not have the SP interior bling
- Exhaust tip looks like standard NB
- No SP decal (though this could have been removed)
- Couldn't really tell from the photos if there is an intercooler or not.
- And finally, the add says, this is a 2003 model car. I know the last of the SPs were 2002 model NB8Bs. I got one of the last ones (March 2002 build date / April 2002 Compliance).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261058341582 ... 3D1&_rdc=1

Dodgey, seeing as one engine shot would seal it. From a dealer too! :roll:

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:22 am

Based on your clarification I'd consider buying a stock NC and fitting coil overs, headers, sway bars, end links, tyres, 4.1 R&P & Tune, that should set you back less than 25k including the cars purchase price installed if you are happy to take an older model or <30k if you want a really nice example (this excludes safety mods like seats, roll bar, harness etc...).

That should be able to lap PI in <2m if you can steer it well enough given Charlie Brown ran a 1:58 without the R&P upgrade, if you can't make the time at least you've got something to strive for and you'll be free of the reliability question mark that surrounds all FI cars so you can do more trouble free days

If you might supercharge it hold off on the 4.1 though so you don't have to mess around changing back to stock if you do decide you need more and on the bright side you'll have all of the supporting mods done save for the brakes.

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 8:26 am

Sounds like you're in Victoria? I highly recommend you get yourself to the next MX-5 Club round at Winton on 5th August, or head to Phillip Island on 4th/5th August for the 6hr regularity relay. That's this weekend! You will find a vast range of MX-5 drivers in everything from standard NA6s to modified NCs and turbo NBs. All of them are having fun on track, and all are in competitive cars for their class. Everyone there will be perfectly happy to chat about their car and track experience.

BTW $35k bought me a standard NA6 and three years worth of trackdays (~15 per year!) with all costs included. I'm having an absolute ball with it! :mrgreen:

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:07 am

denod1958 wrote::
I've dríven SP-good, SE & NC also good but to me need more power as most people have found.
Happy to mod SE/NC as required, just want to go down the best path.
Not sure what NC are good for after external engine mods before charging versus an SE with CAI, cooler,ecu and exhast upgrades. If the overall package ends up being north of $40k then its probaly becomming a poor spend and there are other options out there, eg: Lotus
:

An SE with ~A$5,000 of CAI, exhaust, injector, aftermarket ECU and tuning modz will net you about ~150rwkw which is a LOT of fun.

You'll also end up getting rid of the 17" boat anchors and upgrading to 15" rims and you'll also end up upgrading the stock suspension to coilovers so factor in another A$3000-4000 there too.

With all these SE modz, it's still cheaper than an NC.

Bear in mind that you will replace the suspension on an NC or SP too, and that on an SP, you'll probably want to install a LSD.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:51 am

Buy an already modded SE and save a lot more $.
Not a lot of modded NCs around though.

I would lean towards an NC as it is a newer device and a lot more nicer than previous.
Get one with an electric hardtop and you can have the best of both worlds (might be a bit heavier on the track though).