Need to experience an NB supercharge or turbo MX5 in Vic

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:05 pm

Hi guys,

I am totally in awe of what my humble NB can still do and how much more fun it was compared to a 1999 911 cabriolet I drove recently. Lately, I have been seriously considering supercharging or turbo charging my MX for more mid range pull. I am not finding my NB lacking in power. I am just greedy for a more muscular mid range shove. I have read a lot of the content on supercharging and turbo charging on this forum. To be honest, I am finding the decision more complex due to the number of set ups people have. I am looking to replicate a supercharger / turbo set up that is working well for someone. I don't want to spend months researching so I am hoping to be able to learn off what someone else has done.

I am ideally looking for a small turbo charger..like the ones they used in the Golf 1.2s to boost bottom and mid range torque. Driveability and throttle response are more important than outright power for me.

I would really appreciate it if someone would be so kind as to let me be a passenger in one of their cars. This mod represents considerable money and is fraught with many risk of doing something wrong. I am happy to meet up with you anywhere..coffee or lunch on me.

cheers

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:18 pm

If you're not looking for big boost then you should try to get hold of a SE owner down in Melbourne for a ride.

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:24 pm

Changing my NB for an SE is not an option as I have put too much money into chassis, suspension and T&C exhaust system. If I am able to replicate exactly what the SE can do then it would make sense for me to drive an SE. If not, there is little point as I basically want the owner of the forced induction to be able to just say: Buy part A, B and C. Take A,B and C to X who will installl and tune everything for you. The only guys I know who would do an end to end install is AVO turbo in Melbourne. I would still like a sense of how it drives before putting $6000 of my hard earn cash on the table.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:46 pm

have you considered changing your final drive ratio? for a few hundred $$$ you can instantly boost torque to all gears by shortening your gear ratios, at the expense of higher highway cruise rpm. install an LSD while you're there, if you haven't already.

if you want to turbo, badbong is right. it's most likely still cheaper to buy an SE and move all your mods across. any chassis or suspension bolt ons for any NA or NB will be a direct bolt-on on an SE.

the other option is to buy an SE front cut and ECU, and do some custom exhaust work to marry up to your existing exhaust.
in any case, an n/a exhaust setup will not be ideal for all but the mildest of f/i setups.

be careful. extra power/torque is addictive. you may find a $5-10k hole in your pocket, only to wonder why you didn't just buy a bigger turbo or supercharger in the first place, for pretty much the same cash.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:48 pm

Is legality a concern?

As (unfortunately) I'm unaware of any turbo kits that are legal in Vic for the NB.
I'm pretty sure the only Turbo kit that's legal is the AVO kit for the NA6.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:51 pm

Thanks Locutus - you've read my mind :wink:

Miatalim - I was responding to your request for a 'little more' power and I think the stock SE gives the smallest increase of power I've ever been on in any turbo setup so it'll be a good experience for you. If you think the SE has the appropriate increase in power for you then I'm sure there'll be several kits out there that can mimic the upgrade.

As for SC MX5s, I know that there's a couple of them in Sydney and in Adelaide but I've got no clue of their whereabouts in Melbourne.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:03 pm

I'll be in Mt Martha with the SE in a couple of weeks if you want to experience one with added bits.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:15 pm

A stock se is a pretty pathetic power upgrade, its VERY tame, AND boost comes on much later than a much more powerful aftermarket setup with an appropriately sized garret.

What im saying is that a 250 RWHP garret setup (manifold, turbo, dump, oil lines, ecu, ebay cooler/piping kit, rx7 injectors, tune) will spool earlier and torquier and therefor nicer driving than a stock SE, which cant manage 10psi before 4000rpm. On top of that, the garret setup makes 250hp, while an SE makes 130 or so. However just a turn of the boost controller, the garret setup can also make only 130hp and your nan can drive it.

Superchargers dont make much sense really, horridly inefficient things.

Dann

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:12 pm

Thanks for your feedback. All very valid dollar saving advice. I like the idea of getting an se and transferring the mods. The other option recommended by Melbourne one of the best mx5 mechanics dean from motorsport essential was to get the avo gt25 kit from avo and get them to do the install. The avo is ADR approved.

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:26 am

Best way to stoooopid quick MX5 is start with an SE (way under-aspirated both ends from the factory but at least it has a turbo as standard for easier future compliance) then add the bits to properly aspirate and suspend it. Almost all the other stuff you need to go really quickly (6 spd, lsd, abs, bracing, bigger brakes etc) is included in the SE as opposed to a spec-less SP or the extra bits you'll need to put on any non SE.

Postby **mx52nv** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:11 am

miatalim wrote:Thanks for your feedback. All very valid dollar saving advice. I like the idea of getting an se and transferring the mods. The other option recommended by Melbourne one of the best mx5 mechanics dean from motorsport essential was to get the avo gt25 kit from avo and get them to do the install. The avo is ADR approved.

To the OP, please check your sources as the last time I spoke to AVO, they had no plans to emission test the 1.8 turbo kits that suit the NB8.

Nothing else to add to what has been mentioned before except to agree with the suggestion of just buying an SE or SP.

Les

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:16 pm

Se route makes the most sense but an se over my nb is an additional $10k minimum so it more than I want to pay at the moment. I was hoping to bolt on a turbo kit for $6k. I'll wait until someone develops something better. Back to enjoying my normally aspirated nb.

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:22 pm

It is tricky once you want more power.
Try to be happy with power you have and enjoy the car for what it is.
Once you start down the power mod track, it gets harder to satisfy your thirst.
Getting an SE will only be the start, because the stock SE is so conservatively setup, you will want to tweak that.
So your $10k change over will soon be upto $15, then $20, to have a car like mine that is around 160kwatw with handling and wheel upgrades to suit.
Now where do I go, another $10k to upgrade to get closer to 200kwatw safely :mrgreen:

It is a very slippery slope

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:58 pm

Thanks for your wise words of wisdom. I'll just enjoy the car as it is. If I want more power I'll get a different car. This just means I will be red lining the mx5 more. Besides, one can only take a corner so fast.

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:21 pm

Just drove a 2001 nb with avo turbo installed. Now it has dawn on me what turbo lag is. I don't think turbo is for me. It felt like a rocket was strapped to the car as the power was not very linear. Personally, I think it's the quickest way to kill horse and rider.

I always thought of people who recommended against a turbo for the miata as being too conservative. Now I understand. Once the synergy between throttle response, break, weight distribution and suspension is off balanced, the miata just losses it's magic.

The new golfs have integrated turbos very well to beef up mid range but I reckon even that in a miata may blunt it's sensitive throttle feel. Maybe supercharger or a very very small turbo is the only way to go??