Help required - SP / SE Comparison

[Okibi]

This is not a debate or a discussion over which is better.

I simply need the specifications that relate to each model. There has been countless SP/SE threads and a lot of interest from MX-5/Miata owners worldwide in the Mazda Australia SP model.

I thought we could create a definitive list for both models that outlines the differences over the stock NB.

I've tried to search the internet and have had help from Bigdog and Sean, i'm sure the power figures and 1/4 mile times i've found might be questioned by some.

This should also help SP buyers ensure the car they're considering buying is legit.

Here's what I have created so far:

http://www.mx5cartalk.com/SP_SE_Comparison/

What have I missed? Any photos that show the differences would also be appreciated.

[Mr_Q]

- Typo in the stock MX5 price
- I'm fairly sure white was a colour option for overseas SEs
- SE gear knob was black leather
- SE exhaust tip has the Mazdaspeed logo (good for an extra 4kw )
- SE didn't get the fancy oil cap here in Aus

[BadBong]

That's a great list Okibi!

Here are some additional info on SPs:

Exterior:
- Chrome fuel lid;

Interior:
- Fairly certain that CD was the same as stock NB8B;

Drive train:
- Standard 3.63 ratio open diff;

Engine:
- 7PSI from the factory. However, any samples that have been returned to Mazda during its warranty would have had their wastegate changed to one with a 5PSI limit;
- I'm a little surprised that torque numbers were that much lower than a SE... and that a SP is slower than SE on 0-100kms...

Engine bay:
- BOV... not sure who would still have an original cause they weren't very durable from what I've heard;

[Tezzax5]

MX-5 SP

Rear SP sticker 2pc crest overlaid with the letters (will give you a part number tonight)

front quarter glasses were sometimes fitted with mazda motorsport stickers

Mazda motorsport sticker was placed on the front strut brace

Bosch BOV is a throw away service item (part number tonight ) Was also placed into the cars 2 different ways ( I still run the standard BOV )

exhaust 1st version was sometimes modded with an extra flex joint to prevent cracking.

EGR pipe at the back of the motor was sometimes disconnected.. Made it run a little hotter but gave the engine extra fuel ( rich enough already)

CAS can be sensitive because of the extra heat in the engine bay

Crap clips on the air box

[Lokiel]

Great idea - this stuff is spread too far and wide and thin.

Here's my input:

Under "Identifying Features", you state "Mazdaspeed badges".
In Australia, it could not be marketed as a "MAZDASPEED" since that promotes reckless driving supposedly so MAZDASPEED badges were replaced with stock items or "SE" badging (we lost the funky oil cap). The only MAZDASPEED badge they missed was on the top of the crome tipped exhaust (guess they forgot to look there or someone slipped that by the keeper).

SE gear knob was black leather with red stitching (matched the steering wheel, handbrake and leather seats).

Interior:
Silver stereo & HVAC fascia (vs. standard NB's black)
Centre console surround/trim is silver with "black dots" rather than standard NB black.
Gauges don't have "MAZDASPEED" logo (see above)
Gauges: Silver face, red lighting, red needles

Wheels:
17x7 Racing Hart alloy (ie. "Hart", not "Heart")

Engine:
OEM isn't it 121kw rather than 134kw?

Springs
Front: 215 lb/in. (3.84 kgf/mm)
Rear: 157 lb/in. (2.80 kgf/mm)

[93_Clubman]

Australian delivered MX5 SE sales:
Velocity Red: 200 (seems to include Classic Red)
Titanium Grey: 146
Sunlight Silver: 133
Black Mica: 13

2004: 318
2005: 174
Total: 492

Springs: MazdaSpeed Red


MX5 SP Production:
Sunlight Silver: 43
Brilliant Black: 36
Grace Green: 7
Supreme Blue: 6
Classic Red: 6
Pure White: 2
Crystal Blue: 1
Total: 101

When Mazda Australia advised me they found the 30 two piece SP stickers in 2009, they also mentioned there was a one piece SP sticker. Apparently one sticker was a pre-production sticker & while the other was production sticker.

Sales information courtesy of Crapweasal directly from Mazda Australia:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=41366&p=531838&hilit=harassed+Mazda#p531838

[timk]

93_Clubman, I've never seen a Classic Red SE, maybe the Velocity Red ones look Classic Red when dirty enough?

[93_Clubman]

May be it's the dust or may be they just have a classic look!

For some reason thought I'd seen both a solid red & a metalic red SE.

[bigdog]

SP - stock head unit

SP - PWR only made about half the SP radiators - the rest were custom made by a local shop, they were experimenting to find the right cooling level for the first few. Once the design was locked in they gave the job to PWR.

I have the brochure here somewhere - I'll find it and scan it for you Dave.

[Caffeine]

The silver painted interior and speakers in the windblocker (along with thicker A pillar padding) was common to all MX5's of the SE era.

[dave2221]

Interesting

Anyone know the differnce between the higher power SE and the Aussie SE. could be a nice easy way to get another 16kw

[NitroDann]

The answer is ALWAYS more boost, you should know this by now

Dann

[Lokiel]

Interesting

Anyone know the differnce between the higher power SE and the Aussie SE. could be a nice easy way to get another 16kw

I assume you're referring to the US "SE" - this was sold in Australia as the 2002 Titanium (baby-poo brown door inserts, steering wheel trim and unique 16" rims). The 2002 Titanium had VVT like all NB8Cs (vs. non VVT in NB8As and Aussie SEs/MSMs). The 2002 "Titanium" is not quite the same colour as the Aussie SE/MSM Titanium Grey.

[fastfreddygassit]

The SE has mazdaspeed engine mounts where the standard NB has standard mounts (messy grammar - sorry)
Not sure what the SP has? Stock mounts perhaps???

I've just replaced my SE engine mounts with mazdacomp mounts.
Left is mazdacomp (silver dash)<------------->Right is mazdaspeed/SE or msm mount with "N"

(image from miataturbo.com)

[Locutus]

in addition, the SP:
- 289nm @ 4600rpm
- GT2560R turbo
- numbered carbon/kevlar airbox with large bell mouth, no snorkel
- air con is routed differently
- head unit was standard 1 disc unit