mx5cartalk.com

Gidday all.

I've been watching the Aussie dollar vs the US dollar for a while now and I'm thinking it could be a good time to consider the possibility of importing a supercharger kit for my NB8A. Also, following my foray to Mount Panorama on the weekend, I need MORE POWER!

I've read through all the threads in the Forced Induction section of the forum and if I go down this route it will have to be 100% legit and above board.

So my question simply relates to engineering approval and rego in NSW; based on recent experience, are any of the kits easier to get through engineers approval / emissions testing and RTA rego?

I'm guessing the emissions testing component would be largely dependent on the ECU and tune, so have any particular combinations proven to be a more reliable path to take in this regard?

PS: I'm very old school and I'm not interested in a turbo, so lets don't start that debate!

Many thanks in advance...

They will all be pretty similar in their kit form. JR, FFS, Moss Motors, they all use piggyback cards. The MP62 kits will tend to make more power, which may have an effect on other things (such as whether the engineer requires you to upgrade your brakes), but otherwise the issues will be largely the same from kit to kit.

Just buy the best one you can afford. The coldside FFS kit has a good rep.

Coldside will be more responsive (no intercooler), but hotside has more potential for upgrade (higher power) due to ability to run intercooling.

If you find power addictive a hotside engineered with relatively low power can be upgraded with pulleys and full standalone for pretty serious power while remaining visually as engineered, if that takes your fancy. Search on the big board for lots of info there.

Note the rods on the BP engine are the weak link, and if you are going over 150rwkw you should think about a built engine with at least upgraded rods.

Very envious

At this early stage I'm kind of tending towards a tame MP62 hotside kit that can be upgraded later on. The CARB approved Moss unit looks promising: http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=77365

It seems as though they can be bought for around US$3000 (ex US), which isn't too bad.

Tony wrote:At this early stage I'm kind of tending towards a tame MP62 hotside kit that can be upgraded later on. The CARB approved Moss unit looks promising: http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=77365

It seems as though they can be bought for around US$3000 (ex US), which isn't too bad.

You probably can't go wrong with one of these. We have two of these in Canberra (been around for years, I think they were the BRP kits which are now marketed by Moss) running intercoolers and full Autronic engine management. Come down and have a look, our Coffee and Lies meetup is tomorrow week! If you let me know you are coming, I will contact the two owners to ensure that there is something for you to look at.

Note the Powercard is non adjustable, so when (not 'if' ) you increase the boost you will need to throw it away and get some decent tuneable engine management.

Thanks for the invite, but maybe a bit premature just yet.

Initially I had thought that I'd go without an intercooler and plan to add one later on. However, I've been reading the big board and the general consensus of opinion is that using a non-intercooled MP62 hotside kit is fraught with danger in a motorsport application (I do supersprints, hillclimbs, regularity etc).

So perhaps I should consider including an intercooler now, or even start to think about a coldside kit or a Rotrex system.

On reflection I may just go with cams and an ECU upgrade. I really dunno; I'm still thinking it through - but that's half the fun I reckon!

Thanks again for all the useful comment so far.

Regards...

supercharge it, no question.
i had a supercharged NA6 for a short period of time and it was the most enjoyable car to drive, the one thing that an NA MX5 needs is imporved low end response, and the jackson SC made it go like an angry wasp and the noise was mesmerising.
but yeah get a small IC if you are planning trackwork. it wouldnt be hard to put a sidemount in there.

Tony wrote:
...a motorsport application (I do supersprints, hillclimbs, regularity etc).

Tony, depending on how serious you are about your motorsport, you will need to watch your class structure. It is not just the 1.4 equivalancy factor, you will end up in SVC with all the non-factory turbos (eg NSW Supersprints).

You could build a pretty good engine for $3-6k ... then again I see that there is an S2000 in 2B, and I doubt that a well prepped, well dríven S2000 is ever going to beaten by an MX in 2B ... sigh ... and once all we had to worry about were the Type R Integras ...

It's interesting to see that the S2000 is actually beating the Exige in 2B this year. I never figured anything would be able to beat that thing. 800kg's and about 30-40kw more than an MX5. Not to mention bigger brakes, aero package etc....

Tony if you enjoy having closer competition I'd look into a turbo instead. SE's/SP's can mean depending on your mods you can run in more competitive budget classes. A supercharged NA/NB/NC is only eligable for SVB in supersprints, 2A in prod sports and against all kinds of other classes with ridiculous cars.

Thanks for the thoughts gents, but I really couldn't care less about competition classes.

I'm into motorsport simply for the personal enjoyment I get out of doing what I do; plus I'm used to getting my arse whipped by faster cars everytime I go out anyway.

If I wanted to get more serious about competitive motorsort I'd probably buy a Clubman or an Evo and be done with it.

Regards...

Tony wrote:So my question simply relates to engineering approval and rego in NSW; based on recent experience, are any of the kits easier to get through engineers approval / emissions testing and RTA rego?

My understanding is that the only organisation offering a pre-approved ADR compliant kit is AVO with the stage 1 turbo kits.

Also, check out: viewtopic.php?f=76&t=19618 if you haven't already.