mx5cartalk.com

My neighbour gave me a lift the other day in his S15 with 196kw at the wheels.
On boost it felt like it was bending reality around the car and I came to the realisation of just how slow my MX5 is...

Whilst doing all that it seemed to run very civilised as well. I wonder how hard a SR20DET swap into a MX5 would be + engineering.

search.

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=42687

you can get quite a bit of power out of a BP if you bolt on a hair dryer, and you will have plenty of spare change for drivetrain upgrades where required.
have you been in an SE or SP?

If you look at it from a logical viewpoint; you'll get a better car for less money by installing a turbo on your B6/BP, buying an SE?SP, or you could just buy an S15.

If you want something different/awesome, by all means.

I spent a lot of time looking into the whole turbo mx5 thing and engine swapping and think if you like an SR20 its best to move to a silvia rather then go through the drama of conversions in an mx5

The SR20 has a lot more readily available parts and upgrades and can have a lot of power extracted easily, however an S15 is a lot heavier then an MX5 and requires a lot more suspension mods to be anywhere at the same level.

Locutus wrote:search.

Already read the threads, it was more of a comment of "wow that was fast" and general speculation of what it would be like to have one in a MX5. Same with the Monster Miata's, LS1 Miata conversions. I was out at Lakeside last year when that SR20 MX5 with 18" Enkei's was doing laps.

I know it CAN be done, but I don't think I'd go through the effort given how much I've already done to my MX5.

Locutus wrote:you can get quite a bit of power out of a BP if you bolt on a hair dryer, and you will have plenty of spare change for drivetrain upgrades where required.
have you been in an SE or SP?

Yes but not 200kw at the wheels easily. It may be a bit of a crazy figure and to be honest I'm not THAT interested to chase it but it felt impressive out of a 2L and the way it delivered the power. I haven't been in a SE or SP but I have been in a turbo NA6 and I regularly drive a 8psi supercharged MX5 and it just doesn't have that warp speed feeling.

My MX5 has about a strong a drivetrain as you can without starting to change out the internals.

jerrah wrote:

Locutus wrote:search.

Already read the threads, it was more of a comment of "wow that was fast" and general speculation of what it would be like to have one in a MX5. Same with the Monster Miata's, LS1 Miata conversions. I was out at Lakeside last year when that SR20 MX5 with 18" Enkei's was doing laps.

I know it CAN be done, but I don't think I'd go through the effort given how much I've already done to my MX5

That guy has done most of the work himself and has still spent close to $40k
It outputs 400hp at the rears and has a huge amount of work done both to the engine and the car.

corners wrote:however an S15 is a lot heavier then an MX5

1100kg vs 1200kg according to wikipedia. Given the power difference it doesn't look like much.

corners wrote:That guy has done most of the work himself

As have I. I haven't spent that much I try not to keep count.

I know it was impressive and I know that sort of thing isn't cheap, but these cars are a hobby for me. I barely drive it on the street and I'm always looking for a new thing to do. It's not just a case of not knowing what 'fast' is I have a superbike that would blow all but few cars away in a straight line.

What I'm actually tempted to do is to buy one of these import shells from Japan and make a LS1 or turbo trailered track day car out of it.

jerrah wrote:What I'm actually tempted to do is to buy one of these import shells from Japan and make a LS1 or turbo trailered track day car out of it.

All the cool kids are doing this!

My SP feels like that!

Mind you, it only has 183Kw at the rear wheels, but then again, I can easily wind in another 5 lbs of boost if I want to.

There is no thrill like driving a car that feels like it has too much power. My car feels like a wild animal sometimes, and I love it.

Having said that, I would love an LS1 powered 5.
Shame you can't get them registered here.

What would happen if a US citizen comes to Oz and brings his V8 MX-5 with him?
If the car has been registered over there for some time, could he bring it here, get it converted and then registered as a private import?

Benny wrote:What would happen if a US citizen comes to Oz and brings his V8 MX-5 with him?
If the car has been registered over there for some time, could he bring it here, get it converted and then registered as a private import?

Still needs to meet Federal and state laws.

Have a read of this article for interest sake

http://fordlaser.com/album_showpage.php?full=&pic_id=2117
http://fordlaser.com/album_showpage.php?full=&pic_id=2118
http://fordlaser.com/album_showpage.php?full=&pic_id=2119

Davex3 wrote:Should have just asked me to take you for a spin in my SE when you were down, i was actually quite suprised you did't.

What sort of power are you putting out of your SE? I had my mate with me and I didn't want to impose. Next time?

From a legality perspective, a SR20 conversion would be cheaper (assuming you use the std ECU that came with the SR) than adding a turbo to your B6/BP... As for the costs for suspension and frame to support I'm not sure of.

The idea of a legal LS1 in an MX5 is an interesting avenue. Find an engineer and begin to work out some details as everything is possible, just depends on how many dollars and time you are prepared to spend. If you can provide for both then you'd have one unique MX5.

this is OFF TOPIC but.. at the same price of a sr20 conversion.. would u not be better off getting a rotary swap? Much more power out of it too, and lighter. and SMALLER