Best NA8 perfomance mods.

Glenbrook10 · Postby **Glenbrook10** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 1:55 pm

Dear all,
I have a stock standard 1994 NA8. The car has travelled 160,000 kilometres and runs fine. However I feel as though it is restricted in the upper rev range. I would like to hear any suggestions for basic perfomance improvements. I was thinking about extractors but I am not sure if this is the best place to start.
Thanks
Pete

Bauer · Postby **Bauer** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:03 pm

The general populace will respond with a cat back sports system and a Cold Air Intake as a start.

And Im not going to say anything different

snshami · Postby **snshami** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:35 pm

Whats a Cat back sports system. Does it bypass the cats. How much do they generally cost.

Bauer · Postby **Bauer** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 2:39 pm

snshami wrote:Whats a Cat back sports system. Does it bypass the cats. How much do they generally cost.

a quick search of a forum sponsor and voila. Bottom of the page

http://www.mx5mania.com.au/exhaust.htm

no it doesnt bypass that cat. that would be naughty.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:39 pm

Cat back = from the cat, back to the end of the exhaust

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:46 pm

Check and see if your timing is right.

Another useful tip is to get your NA8 wheel aligned by someone who knows what they're doing. It's amazing how much improvement in the handling department you get by having a great wheel alignment. Though maybe this is more noticeable on the track (when you're usually at 9/10ths or 10/10ths), than everyday driving.

Glenbrook10 · Postby **Glenbrook10** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 3:50 pm

Is the timing something that can be checked at home? I think that I may have an ancient timing light here somewhere.
Thanks
Pete

Uncle Arthur · Postby **Uncle Arthur** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 5:42 pm

Why yes - it is something you could do at home.....

This being the interwebs, now that you know you can, you will no doubt ask how.

The MX5, being a simple creature, and relatively unchanged in its basic form from around the globe, is well studied, and verses on it's biology and makeup have been published across the interwebs.

For example, if I were to type the search phrase "check MX5 timing" into Google, I might find multiple links all taking me to pages which either describe, or show me in video, exactly what I was after.

You will come to know the various resources dedicated to the Jinbai Ittai creature - such as this one

(by the way, this is called "teaching you how to fish")

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 3:57 pm

viewtopic.php?f=57&t=37873

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=38169

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=16928

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43496

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Sun Feb 06, 2011 10:21 pm

Nitrous Oxide or Forced Induction are the best options for true performance improvement.

An exhaust will give you more noise and a 5-10hp improvement.