mx5cartalk.com

Hi all

Long time reader, first time poster, mainly because I am now the proud owner of an 04 velocity red se!
So I'll do a quick intro before asking some questions that the search function couldn't help with.
I've owned some interesting cars, been through a bike stage, s4r with the testastretta motor , done the odd track/driver training day, mostly at Wakefield park and have now decided to get the se to be able to continue having some cheap track fun!

I'm looking for some more power, so of course looked at the mania stage 1 and 2 kits. I've done a lot of reading so basically I'm after something that will be factory or better with regards to smoothness and driveability that is fast enough to put a smile on my face.

I'm also a legal kind of guy, not so much rms but I'm more concerned with voiding insurance , which is with NRMA.

So this is what I'm looking at

-begi Cai
-ebay intercooler
-mx5 mania full exhaust
-mx5 mania stage 2 kit for the rest of it

I'm looking to have the car fully engineered, so my question is, has anyone been down this Rd with similar mods on an se? Did it pass? What failed?
I have read about avo's kits that are legal as bolt on kits and a number of other bolt on turbo and engineered mx5s from this forum so it obviously can be done. But is it a massive pain? Any other hints and tips from experience?
I've emailed Evo compliance in lane cove to ask their opinion as an engineer but I thought I'd ask here as well.

Cheers guys

James

...

Since insurance is a concern talk to them and get their opinion. I just stated ALL the mods done to my car to Shannons and we agreed a value, simple.

I have had a chat to nrma, they require that all mods are legal. Nsw law states that almost any mod has to be engineered, hence why I'm heading down this path.
I guess my concern is that if I have an accident, god forbid into a Ferrari or similar and my insurance is void due to illegal modifications I could be well up sh*t creek

Welcome

I'm in QLD so not much help on the legislation (though most of that stuff would not require a mod plate in QLD in isolation, but does once you raise the power by over 20%).

The USA kits used to be really good value, but with the exchange rates as they are and the huge shipping costs, it is definitely worth considering other options.

There is a member on here (Nitrodann) who is in Newcastle that has done a lot of work on many SE's on the forum with outstanding results (attracting cars to be sent to him from all over the east coast). I don't want to talk him up too much (everybody else already does plenty ), but it is worth reading through the SE garage threads that have been active in the last few months to see his work and then give him a call and get a quote.

Would love to see some pics! Velocity red is my favourite <3

EDIT: I'm tired and switched up Flyin' Miata (in the USA) with MX5 Mania in Sydney in my head, so disregard the importation bits!

I have been looking at some of his stuff in some very impressive build threads. I will probably send him a pm to see what he can do. Adaptronic seems to be one of the better options for someone like me with no skills, I know nitrodann was modifying haltech to work, not really sure how that ended up but another line of enquiry to follow up.
Does he do engineering as well? That would be an excellent one stop shop for me if he did.

Adaptronic standalone ECUs, and I suspect most brands, don't deal with emission control crap so getting it engineered will require a lot of extra work.

I'll also spruik NitroDann, he's done a lot of MX5s now and is pretty-much a one-stop shop for this type of work (do NOT farm out the work to multiple parties, except maybe use a specialised ECU tuner, when things go wrong they'll just point their fingers at each other).

If you're a tuning DIYer, Adaptronic or Megasquirt ECUs are a good choice. MegaSquirt ECUs are favoured on MT.net and there's a lot of online help for them; they used to be laughed at but are gaining more acceptance.

To get the car engineered, you're probably better off getting a Chiptorque ECU reflash (it's actually a chip replacement) once you've made all your hardware modz.

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=687211#p687211

Whilst this does centre on ITB's it does discuss emissions.

Good read, I'm interested to know from guys with turbo setups that have passed emissions if it failed at first?
Also this password protected tune thing keeps popping up. Does adaptronic do that?

Magpie wrote:I just stated ALL the mods done to my car to Shannons and we agreed a value, simple.

That must have been a hell of a document

Dann also tunes megasquirt.

I'm currently awaiting a quote, although mine is not an SE.

Suspect he is really busy at the moment and the long weekend probably didn't help ;)

Speed it was. I still chat to the Shannon's person who did the quote for me, whilst he is a drifter he did appreciate the mods done to my car. I just grabbed the list I posted in my build thread of everything done and sent that. Each time a mod is done I let them know, what reminds me I need to add the logging dash.

Back on topic

Another tread to read regarding a forced induction NC that HAS passed emissions!

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=687347#p687347

Here is one regarding Chip Torque http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=817615#p817615

but it pays to read the fine print for Chip Torque http://www.chiptorque.com.au/download/chiptorque-job-card/

DURING ENGINE AND / OR VEHICLE TESTING, REPAIR AND / OR STORAGE
DEFINITIONS
a) Locasia Pty. Ltd. A.B.N. 44 060 809 903 trading as ChipTorque, its agents and its servants, is described hereafter as ChipTorque.
b) Owner includes the owner's nominated agent, customer or corporation.
c) Testing includes repair, tuning, fitting, development and the supply of parts and equipment.

ChipTorque accept that the owner warrants that any engine and / or vehicle accepted for testing is in a suitable condition for any loads, speeds or temperatures that would be imposed, or may arise, during such testing which includes testing using our chassis dynamometer etc. and that all parts used in the engine and the vehicle construction are suitable for any severe duty that will be imposed on the engine or vehicle during testing. Such testing normally imposes loads greatly exceeding manufacturer's specifications.

Subject to compliance with the Workplace Health & Safety Act, the owner or their nominated agent is requested to either view and control such testing, or supply written instructions detailing any conditions or restrictions they may wish it be imposed during such testing. If no instructions are given the owner / agent agrees expressly by implications default that ChipTorque will carry out any testing at their sole discretion.

ChipTorque will not be responsible for any damage, no matter how arising, which may occur during testing / repair or fitting of components to the engine, vehicle or electronics or any direct or consequential cost or costs as a result of such testing, repair or fitting.

In the case of Supplementary Restraint Systems, ChipTorque is not responsible for any associated costs for accidental deployment of the apparatus howsoever caused. Goods presented for repair may be replaced by refurbished goods of the same type rather than being repaired. Refurbished parts may be used to repair the goods. Goods containing user-generated or learned data may result in loss of data during the course of the repair.

ChipTorque does not carry any insurance covering any customer property, engines, vehicles or parts for any risks at all. ChipTorque therefore are under no duty or responsibility of any sort whatever and whenever in contract or in tort or otherwise for any loss including theft, burglary, damage, harm, or reduction in value which happens to the customer's property however that occurs.

ChipTorque reserve the right to withhold the customer’s property until payment in full for work carried out and parts supplied has been made. Where delayed collection of the vehicle or delayed delivery of customer supplied parts for job progression occurs, a vehicle storage fee of $25.00 per calendar day is charged. EFI diagnosis is chargeable at $200.00 for the first hour and at a minimum of $120.00 per hour thereafter. All other on site testing, including waiting time and travelling time, is chargeable at a minimum of $120.00 per hour. All custom programming and/or 2WD dyno work is chargeable at a minimum of $250.00 per hour. All custom programming and/or 4WD dyno work is chargeable at a minimum of $350.00 per hour. A cleaning fee of $200 may be charged if substantial fluids or debris from the vehicle contaminates the dyno or workshop area.

We accept goods for inspection, custody, storage, repair or other treatment subject to the provisions of “The Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1967 – 1973”. Conditions of this act allow for disposal of uncollected goods and vehicles under certain circumstances after not less than 6months.

Nothing in these terms and exclusions of liability and the accompanying terms and conditions of supply is intended to exclude, restrict
or modify rights which you may have under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) or any other legislation which may not be
excluded, restricted or modified by agreement, subject only that they are the sole basis on which ChipTorque are willing to take on
work or other responsibilities.

To the extent permitted by law, the owner / agent releases ChipTorque and its employees and agents from any and all liability. The
governing law of the contract between Locasia Pty Ltd and you, the customer, is the law of Queensland.

Speak to a difft insurer.
I spoke to Shannons, as long as the mod is stated to them and does not cause the accident, they will pay. Does not need to be engineered.
Your main problem would be emissions.

I suspected as much regarding emissions being the main problem. Could you then just run a euro 5 cat? Obviously it would reduce performance but I suspect not enough for me to care about.
You can get a MagnaFlow euro 5 400cpi cat for circa $400

I'll have a chat to Shannons today. I literally just paid for NRMA comprehensive on Tuesday so might have a bit of trouble getting a refund if I choose to go with Shannon.

As I said, I'm not massively concerned with being rms legal. I'm not doing atmospheric bovs or stupidly loud exhausts. Intercooler i also plan on doing in black for stealth. My primary concern is voiding insurance should I have a crash and I figure if I stay away from brakes and suspension it should be OK.

For emissions it would be best to use E85, however this will add to the build cost even if you plan on running E85 only.

Since you will be the one driving it then you need to be confident that your insurance will cover you.