VTECMACHINE's 2005 SE

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 5:39 pm

Davex3 wrote:You will need an aftermarket boost controller for sure with a new intake, stock one is a pos.

Aftermarket intake and boost controller @ 10psi is one of the best bang for buck mods for power you can do. Should add 25 - 30hp at the rear.

just what sort of bucks are you talking about though?

And can an average joe install? (i am pretty handy with a spanner, but do you need any special knowledge?)

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 6:19 pm

Davex3 wrote::
Boost controller or aem intake?

Aem around $3 - 500 depending on where you buy and shipping.

Boost controller $30+ depending on manual or electric. Personall i have a turbosmart boost tee, one of the best manuals ive used over the years. Electronics are better though, but more expensive.

Install shouldn't be too hard for the intake as it has pretty good instructions, took me maybe 6 hours to do with plenty of breaks. Mbcs are pretty straight forward also, ebcs can be a little tricky sometimes.

As Davex3 said, the AEM CAI instructions are very good, they lead you through with lots of pictured steps which makes it very easy to DIY - if I can do it, anyone can, it's a simple mod.

I have a Gizzmo MS-2 EBC which really is overkill IMO and quite expensive relative to a MBC (the EBC was A$300 on special). Get the MBC initially and don't forget to install a boost gauge too so you know how much you're actually boosting.

I plan on relocating my boost gauge to the dummy oil pressure gauge in the instrument cluster like this http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index ... 678.0.html in the next few weeks since that's where it belongs - the dummy gauge isn't doing anything anyway so I wont be missing out on anything. I'm going to try it with a cheap gauge first (eg. do an eBay search for "New 52mm Car Gauge Boost Turbo Bar") since it requires disassembly and modification of the gauge and this gauge looks like it will be a close match to the OEM gauge face colour - I'll remove the gauge's LED and let the existing dash LED's light it so that will match too.

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:53 pm

This is going to be epic. I'm heaps excited. Magnaflow 2.5" catback ordered and an AEM intake. Got a Greddy profec B already. Just a new BOV, and FM down pipe and I'm done.

Endless MX72 brake pads all around with some APP brake lines and Endless fluid and I'll be ready for Wakefield

So is 10psi the max you'd go with out a aftermarket ECU? Doyou need a walbro fuel pump or anything?

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:43 am

Ricki...

We need to meet up to discuss mods.....

If anyone else is in Syd an keen for a turbo session.... start a topic and ill be there....

Would be much better to see the mods in the flesh and talk about them (plus meet a few of you) than to nut it out solo in front of the screen.

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:02 pm

Thanks Davex3. I will peg it at just under 10psi then. Will be happy with around 120kW's atrw. Can't wait to get this all going.

Yeah why don't we all have a meet up soon?? Meet and talk and stuff. Anyone keen?

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:05 pm

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:08 pm

Alright! Anyone else??

Anyone live around Sydney North Shore region?

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:39 pm

Ahhhh can't wait for my exhaust and Intake!!! HURRY UP!!!

Next up roll bar. Soon hopefully!!!!

Thinking of a couple of things for the exterior aswell

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:59 pm

VTECMACHINE wrote:Alright! Anyone else??

Anyone live around Sydney North Shore region?

started a thread.....

lets get something organised....

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=46253

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:28 pm

Yeah sure thing. I'm keen for a meet up.

Done anything to your SE yet Dave?

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Mon May 09, 2011 12:44 pm

Hey guys,

Just thought i'd update my thread, cos it's been a while. I was suppose to be moving to England - but i've landed a good job in Sydney, and am sticking around for a while.

I mentioned before that I ordered a Magnaflow exhaust, and a AEM intake.
The Magnaflow exhaust is just amazing. With the roof up and the window's up you can't even notice you have an aftermarket exhaust. With the windows down, or the roof off, its there - but not annoying, not stupid loud. The tip is big, but because you can't see a massive shiny muffler it looks stock.

Intake has arrived aswell. It's not installed yet, as i'm waiting on my boost controller. Ended up selling my Profec B, and have ordered an HKS EVC-S. It allows me to mount a display so that I won't have to buy a boost gauge

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Mon May 09, 2011 1:15 pm

nah

have been holding off the modifications... going to try to keep it stock, although i am itching to do more to it.

just trying to save for a trip to the snow and stuff that in the scheme of things, is just more important.

Novice1 · Postby **Novice1** » Mon May 09, 2011 6:07 pm

Just out of interest how do you find the MX5 compares to the Evo and Integra in handling?

I know the AEM intake on my V-Tec Honda scared children and pregnant ladies

Sounds like you got yourself one nice ride there.

Good luck with it.
Cheers Novice1

VTECMACHINE · Postby **VTECMACHINE** » Tue May 10, 2011 3:47 am

hehehe pods on Honda's are loud! haha. Especially when VTEC kicks in, yo! The AEM intake on the this car, given that it's turbo will sound pretty different. I'm excited for it though. Just wish my EBC arrived already, and I decided on which BOV I want.

The DC2R was way more modified, so as a 'track' car it was a hell of alot more fun - and it could handle hours and hours of high RPM stuff and the setup was pretty track focused.

The Evo... meh it was an Evo. It was fast, but in all honesty a little boring. It did the job as a calm down car though. It does boost your confidence for wet driving though.

MX5 is by far the funnest car I have owned. Apart from the DC2R, I have absolutally fallen in love with it. The DC2R was sort of a childhood dream car, and I said that I will never love owning a car like I did with the DC2R. The MX5 is just amazing!!!
I have really shitty tyres on the MX5, and I never hammer my cars on the street - so handling on the limits, I don't know. Out of the three cars, i'd have to say it's by far the slowest. The Integra was the fastest into corners, the Evo was the fastest out of corners. Knowing that it is the slowest of the three, I don't care - I absolutally love it to bits!! What I am finding weird and hard to adjust to is the weight distribution. I know they are close to a 50:50 distribution - it's just so different to what i'm used to. Only thing i'm upset about is the fact that it's getting cold now and I can't put my roof down so often.