The Best bang for your buck performance Mod

[RaYmO]

Hi Everyone,

Im a bit of a noob when it comes to performance upgrades for the MX5,

In your opinion, what is the best bang for your buck performance mod that you have done and what did that mod cost (for both the item and installation costs - if any).

If you can list what price range this mod belongs to, such as:

1-$100
$101 - $200
$201 - $500
$501- $1000
$1001 or more

I guess can be really quite helpful (to not only myself but all other noobs out there).

Thanks in advance for your help guys/gals

[STV]

I think the DIY CAI (Dunny pipe Cold Air intake) works well for most, and i think it can be done for about $50ish and a couple of hours...

WHile you are doing that, adjust the timing to about 14 degrees (cost $0 if you have a timing light).

after that, the performance mods for little dollars end i think!

[Sean]

1-$100......................Timing Mod (free) Bump timing to 14 degrees if you have an NA. ANd a K&N panel filter for your stnadard airbox.
$101 - $200...............Change the brake fluid to somthing like castrol SRF
$201 - $500...............High Quality Brake pads, OR a decent air filter and intake OR A driver trianing day on the track or Skidpan.
$501- $1000..............Koni's (& king springs if you like). Better Tyres depending what you have already.
$1001 or more...........Depending on what you have done above, definately get to a good driver training day - This will make you not only quicker and better in the MX5, but will improve your ability in ANY car you drive - Some insurance companies will give you a discount for completeing these types of courses too.

From here on the Sky is the limit

[JSE]

Best bang for buck mod I have done would be a short shifter...its king for daily driving, especially to the city and back every day

Followed closely by a new filter/CAI

CAI - $250 + $45install (Mania intake)

5 speed Short Shifter - $279 + $15install (I.L Motorsport Short Shifter)

[Andrew]

I've done so many where do i start

A bit on the expensives side but my vote would be for an LSD

[StanTheMan]

best bang for buck. Tough.

Best single Mod.:.....Torsen & 1.8 Diff upgrade $1800
closely followed by..... sticky Tyres. $1200
those two combos transformed the car big time. Almost to the degree of comparing apples with oragnes.
mind you Those two mods probably complimented everything else which had been modded on the car previously and made evrything work togethre how it is supposed to. & therefore made such a big impact.


Best mod for $ spent.....would have to be the timing advance.

[Boags]

The most noticable gain for the least amount of money for me was the eBay style bar.

My old and tired suspension was immediately invigorated by the chassis rigidity given by the style bar. I'm sure the seat belt brace does the same thing if you're not into bling bars.

Cost was under $200 (about $190 i think, but can't remember)

Next is timing, it is sooooo easy to do but i haven't got around to doing it!

Boags

[RaYmO]

Thanks for your responses guys!

Common theme right now is the advanced timing, i might check out Miata.net to see how its done and whether or not its too big a job for my inexperienced hands.

[Sean]

Thanks for your responses guys!

Common theme right now is the advanced timing, i might check out Miata.net to see how its done and whether or not its too big a job for my inexperienced hands.

You'll need a timing light and a 12mm open end spanner.

I'm sure someone on here in Sydney would be happy to help you get it setup.

If not, I'm always happy to help if you ever journey to the Newcastle area - It's about a ten minute job for someone who's done it before and has a timing light.

Also - The timing mod is only available to NAs.

[Garry]

Konis on an NB8B+. $1000+ installed but soooooo worth the money. What a transformation.

[irwin83r]

should start a poll in cluding

CAI

Headers and exhaust

susspension

LSD

Tyres

etc etc

[Brad]

Assuming an unmodified, well worn example with the odd track days, and not simply after power but a good driving experience.

Free - remove as much weight as possible
1-$100 - Remove intake extension, new air filter and plugs, 14deg timing mod, Mobile 1, chassie bracing, correct tyre presures. All up probably around $150, good wheel alignment
$101 - $200 - CAI, DOT4+ new brake fluid (do not go SRF, it's very expensive and not suited to daily drivers as it's hydrophilic), steering rack bushes
$201 - $500 - harness, extractors, control arm bushes, fast street pads (EBC, Hawk, Bendix), Sparco Sprint seat, Sparco steering wheel
$501- $1000 - tyres, rest of exhaust system, 1800 brakes, chassie bracing (butterfly brace), 15 or 16\" wheels,
$1001 or more - Shocks, depends on how much $ you have. Koni/kings are around $1100, AVO coilovers are $1400, Tein SS are $1500, Torsen LSD, cams and ecu,

Mods that are pointless IMHO on a bang-for-your buck rating- style bar, short shift kit (on the track you'll be missing gears if not very careful), wings or body kit, wheels bigger than 16\",

[SuperMazdaKart]

there many timing lights out there that can use the auxilary battery connector from the engine bay?

seems the ones i see in the shops have the aligator clips to directly use the battery, which would be kinda difficultt for our cars

maybe i can use the jumper leads i got as extension cords?

[Uncle Arthur]

there many timing lights out there that can use the auxilary battery connector from the engine bay?

seems the ones i see in the shops have the aligator clips to directly use the battery, which would be kinda difficultt for our cars

maybe i can use the jumper leads i got as extension cords?

There's a blue connector on the passenger side of the engine bay, just behind the headlight.

It's connected to the ignition, and is active when the car is 'on'. An aligator clip timing light will connect here, or otherwise, remove the aligator clip and replace with a female blade plug.

[Philip Lee]

the best mod is the voodoo knob