Advice on adding a Turbo to my NA 1.8

sticky nicky · Postby **sticky nicky** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:35 pm

Hi Guys,

I am just after some information regarding putting a turbo on my NA. In saying that I have had a chat to Steve at KYP in Perth but like to get as much information as I can.

The engine has done 220k but is running well and strong. Im interested in getting information on your experiences if you have added a turbo to your NA.

What is involved, what did it cost and are you happy with the results?

Thanks Nicky

and1 · Postby **and1** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:38 pm

I have a NB SE and I can tell you it's great having the snail on there! Where in Perth are you located? I could give you a ride if you were keen and when I'm free..

sticky nicky · Postby **sticky nicky** » Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:43 pm

Hi and1,

Sounds good, Steve at KYP advised my to have a drive of a turbo mx to see how it feels. I am located in Kelmscott. Are you in the MX5 club?

Cheers Nicky.

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:55 am

I drove a SE last monday and I have to admit it didn't have the kick in the pants that I expected from a turbo. It was certainly fast but did it in a way that felt like nothing much was happening. That said I'm not experienced with driving petrol turbos and maybe I was just doing it wrong.

I find with the supercharger you plant your foot and instantly feel the hand of god behind you.

But turbo's have the reputation (and proven results) of better performance numbers.

Novice1 · Postby **Novice1** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:14 pm

As much as I love my car being turbo. The cost of fitting turbo can be exorbitant, fraught with many snags along the way, tuning, overheating.
Think money is better spent on making the mx5 handle better.
Must take Jeddah for a spin in my car with new cams. 2500 rpm and hang on for your life.
Cheers novice1

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:39 pm

Buy a begi kit.
Buy a megasquirt.
Get it fitted and tuned.

Viola.

Dann

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:43 pm

Oh, Dann you forgot to mention, hope like hell the blues don't look under the bonnet.

Totally illegal - don't turn snowflake into a crim, she's too pretty. :mrgreen:

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:54 pm

bootz wrote:Oh, Dann you forgot to mention, hope like hell the blues don't look under the bonnet.

Totally illegal - don't turn snowflake into a crim, she's too pretty.

Why illegal? After you get an engineer certificate in QLD those mods would be legal yes?

G

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:53 pm

I was referring to Dann's comment of easy=peasy without eng. certification even being mentioned.

Don't know how easy or pricey this would be in WA.

Maybe someone who has an engineered turbo can advise. I suspect most NA turbos here are running illegally and taking their chances.

The other point to make is not only do you have to worry about a nasty pleesman taking an interest, yr insurance coverage/third party flies out the window in the event of an accident.

Don't say we didn't warn you.

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:29 pm

She asked how to turbo it.
She didnt ask anything else, I based my answer on my presumption that she cannot do the work/tuning herself.

Engineering might be 500-800 and then get insured through shannons.

Dann

gslender · Postby **gslender** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 11:39 pm

bootz wrote:I was referring to Dann's comment of easy=peasy without eng. certification even being mentioned.

Don't know how easy or pricey this would be in WA.

Maybe someone who has an engineered turbo can advise. I suspect most NA turbos here are running illegally and taking their chances.

The other point to make is not only do you have to worry about a nasty pleesman taking an interest, yr insurance coverage/third party flies out the window in the event of an accident.

Don't say we didn't warn you.

Kinda agree with Dann - eg we could've also ragged on about brakes, suspension, drive train, etc, so on.... all these are needed if you double the HP. Not the point of the OPs question is it?

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:29 am

sticky nicky wrote: Im interested in getting information on your experiences if you have added a turbo to your NA.

What is involved, what did it cost and are you happy with the results?

Thanks Nicky

Er, nope I think you guys are in error. If it is just a track dog then you are right, but this is a daily.
Keeping the car legally registered is an important part of whats involved.

With due respect to Dann (Begi does sound good) , I think Eng. would be be a lot more trouble and expense than $600-$800, but again I (like Sticky) would like to know the WA experience with relicencing turbos. :mrgreen:

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:35 am

only a turbo na8 owner in WA can answer this.

She didnt say daily, she didnt say legal, she didnt say any of that.

Dann

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:02 am

c'mon chaps.

there is a few turbos over there ( WA). Powerful ones too. Legal or not. I doubt most of the ones here in NSW are legal.

she wants to know about experience. Just give her what you got. in a respectful way. Unfortunately i'm well & truely in the N/A camp. But i've had the pleasure of driving a few NSW turbos where a lot of work & thought has gone into them. But my knowlege is very limited when it comes to turbo.

Sometimes people don't know about the subject they are asking about. Which means they don't know what to ask. Thats why some of you blokes who have a wealth of knowledge/experience can help.

sticky nicky · Postby **sticky nicky** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:56 am

Oh, Dann you forgot to mention, hope like hell the blues don't look under the bonnet.

Totally illegal - don't turn snowflake into a crim, she's too pretty.

Oh shucks bootz, thanks :lol:

Thanks for your comments guys, yes is almost a daily driver but just after a bit more power for the track. I have coilovers, extractors, pod filter, strut bar and plan on sway bars very soon. I use R888's on the track which I find great. I am just after more power as the standard 1.8 is pretty sluggish on take off, although it is easy to spin the wheels at 4000rpm.
Dont know if there is anything cheaper I can do to get that bit of extra power, and not too sure I will go turbo, depending on the cost.
As you can see I know very little about the mechanics, I can do an oil and filter change and change the wheels myself and thats about it!

Nicky