A NB8B Turbo progress.

[Roadrunner]

Looks good and sounded great!
I liked the talking during the video. Added to what was being viewed and gave a perspective of what you were thinking and wanting to do next.
A camera looking sideways across the car to show you and the car your racing would look good but would be difficult to set up the view properly and you'd have to change the direction if you were then put on the right lane. I think the view you picked was best.

What times were the other MX-5s putting down?

[IanR]

Looks good and sounded great!
I liked the talking during the video. Added to what was being viewed and gave a perspective of what you were thinking and wanting to do next.
A camera looking sideways across the car to show you and the car your racing would look good but would be difficult to set up the view properly and you'd have to change the direction if you were then put on the right lane. I think the view you picked was best.

What times were the other MX-5s putting down?

There was another turbo mx5, but I have no idea what he was running... he is in a much lighter car but stiffer suspension so not sure what to expect, prob faster as a stripped out NA with 320whp. Results will be up soon enough. Cheers Josh

[Travelator]

Well friends, I had a fabulous opportunity to meet up with Ian yesterday and he was good enough to allow me to spend some solid time in the driver's seat of his mx5. I'm a bit of a blank canvas when it comes to mx5's; meaning that I'm a not-yet-owner trying to work out what I want and Ian was more than happy to oblige in the "convince me I need this in my life" quest. I wasn't exactly watching the clock, but I must have spend a solid 30-40mins behind the wheel (sound right Ian?) and that was straight after a 2hr mind-numbing M1(F3) drive up in my car.

Anyways, we figured y'all might be interested to read a non-owners perspective of taking a 300+whp mx5 for a drive. If you are then read on...

First thing to note - this Ian guy is a seriously nice guy!! Okay, so that's not strictly my impressions of his car...but it was part of my experience and worth noting! I rate people who are generous with their time and want to share their passion. I peppered him with questions while we drove and Ian was happy to talk about all manner of things he'd done to the car, what it is like to own and daily drive. He's a proud owner and it shows in conversation and the condition of his car.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS (with Ian driving)
As you would guess, Ian's car is mint. Paintwork, engine bay, 6uls, soft-top, stance - it's all sorted. Open the door to get in and one immediately obvious mod is the seats. They are okay to get in and once in, do a fabulous job of keeping you pinned which makes cornering a breeze and were decently comfortable (for reference I'm about 5'7 and carrying a few more kgs than I probably should be). The tablet in the dash install is super cool too - ethanol blend reading, live boost and coolant temps etc. Once moving it immediately feels special and purposeful. I think it's a combination of the noise, seats, lowness and the relaxed purposefulness of the driver next to me. Car starts fine, idles fine and once warm and in the hands of Ian - is a seriously quick beast. He's able to throw it flat and fast around some corners which have my brain catching up that such stable speeds around corners are comfortably fine in this car. And when he puts the boot in...yup, fast!

HANDLING (my turn)
I put this next because it's genuinely my next impression. I'm new to the world of mx5s so maybe this is just an inherent mx5 trait but YES to such brilliant handling (and hydraulic steering!!!). With the upgraded sways, coilovers, roll bar and 9inch wide tyres this thing corners flat and has enormous levels of grip. I've come from a few AWD cars in a row now and have been a little concerned over the possibility of a twitchy rear end (insert joke here) but I didn't even remotely come close to even half what this car is capable of around a corner...and that's just because it would take me a while to reprogram my brain to what is a comfortably safe speed. I now get how a well set up mx5 can embarrass more expensive and more powerful cars on track.

POWER
Let's be honest, this is the bit you really want to read right? Is 300+whp rough, hard to handle or a wheel-spinning waste of fuel?? Nope. I have experienced what billybunter and IanR have been on about - tuned right it's super easy to drive. Light throttle, normal driving is a doddle and you'd have no idea of the potential lurking further into the accelerator. Smooth too; at one point Ian had me hold half throttle in 3rd all the way to 6000rpm and it was smooth, consistent, no jerkiness or complaints from the car. Bury the throttle and no hesitation or wheel spin (although I'm sure you could if you're into that sort of fun), just a steady rip through the revs and builds speed fairly fast by my books. Obviously (hate to disappoint) we were on the road, it was double demerits and I like to think of myself as a gentleman (ie: I'm not going to push someone else's car) so can't comment beyond that as to this car's potential. Other than to say, it is there. It is definitely there. If I hadn't had my wife waiting for lunch and we had more time and some more open road I would have loved to learn more about this car's performance.

DRIVE-ABILITY
Been said above, but it's relatively easy to drive. Bit of a learning curve with the clutch as in any unfamiliar car - super light/easy to operate, just a lower and slightly more narrow engagement point than I'm used to. Sounds the business too. There's all manner of happy pants turbo noises (esp with the roof down), and the exhaust has a really nice note to it (I was concentrating more on the drive than the noise so not sure if it sneaks over into "too loud for me" but no drone and not obnoxiously loud). I get this is a car you WANT to drive more. To experience more. To learn/discover more and to push more. I was also surprised at how effective the brakes are with a simple pad upgrade too.

That's my 2c. All in all a great experience thanks to a great bloke that has left me with plenty of food for thought...mostly thoughts about how I need to experience more of that.

[billybunter]

very good review but disappointing in a way. that's two 300 rwhp cars and neither will spin the wheels - we need more powar or an oil slick

[KevGoat]

Great write up. Thanks for that perspective. I recall my first drive in an MX-5 ... a worn out run down half missing just running NA6 that I actually ended up buying that started an obsession.

Having recently made what I consider a very responsible and sensible decision (for a change) about the direction to take on my SE, I can safely say it's a bloody good thing there's not a car like Ian's or billybunter's around here that I could experience as I'd probably be looking down the barrel of a very large invoice right now ...

[IanR]

[quote="billybunter"]very good review but disappointing in a way. that's two 300 rwhp cars and neither will spin the wheels - we need more powar or an oil slick[/

Haha she will light it up any time 1st 2nd or 3rd in the dry with provocation.

Thanks Travis for the post up, was a cool time sharing it with you, super fun and how it panned out was more a credit to your enthusiasm, friendliness and respect than me being a nice guy...but hey I'll take a compliment cheers.

On a another note, because the car is pretty much near finished in my eyes and I'm looking into another project this car is almost possibly... Having trouble writing it, open to sell. If you are a buyer send me a pm to start discussions.

[forcedfive]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for making the effort to get to the Nulon Nationals in Coota. Well done, it is a difficult surface to launch on, especially with 300hp+. Thanks to you and the other MX5's we had another good round result helping to bring the NSW MX5 club home in 4th place outright for the series. Not bad with some pretty serious competitors in the 11 club competition.

2017 Nationals is shaping up to be another great year so make sure you put you hand up if you are interested in being part of it again.

[IanR]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for making the effort to get to the Nulon Nationals in Coota.

Thanks Verne, I enjoyed the day it was pretty cool to mix in with the serious cars and hang out with the crew. A different crowd at the Nulon series than a MG hillclimb or a ARDC supersprint thats for sure!

[Roadrunner]

.

On a another note, because the car is pretty much near finished in my eyes and I'm looking into another project this car is almost possibly... Having trouble writing it, open to sell. If you are a buyer send me a pm to start discussions.

Wait what?? Are you crazy?
There's plenty more fun to be had with the car! Enjoy driving now it's near complete!

Plus, You still haven't beaten my Wakefield time

Will have to arrange a time for you to drive mine with the 10kg MCAs. Had a few things dumped on me last week and ran out of time to organise. Will be in touch.

[IanR]

Wait what?? Are you crazy? There's plenty more fun to be had with the car! Enjoy driving now it's near complete!

Yes I know

[IanR]

I was prompted to list the parts in my car:


Let's see if I can do a spec list for you.

Motor

Manley rods
Arp bolts full set everything
Billet oil pump
Std piston as they are fine and high compression with e85 is the go
The head was stripped and rebuilt with new stem seals
Bore measured and light hone all at a machine shop
Rebuilt by the mech
Excedy cushioned button clutch and machines flywheel
Walbro 255high flow pump
Continental flex sensor
Id1000 injectors
Avo intake and exhaust manifold and intercooler
Garrett 2860rs with .86 ar rear housing
3" stainless exhaust with 100 cel cat resonator and muffler
Custom catchcan with 2x1/2" breather barbs
Reroute kit inc nb8a head gasket for best flow
42mm rad with gaps sealed up and underbody work
Custom autoexe from bar
Nb8a side skirts
Respray bar from and rear and skirts and custom bonnet with std one spare
Paint matched brown Davis roll bar
White line sway bar package 24/16mm
Koni sport shocks w 400/250 ps springs
Torsen1 diff 3.63 ratio
Qfma1rm pads
Bride seats and rails (unknown authenticity but I am 3rd
Mx5 owner and they are solid and very comfortable)
Nexus7 install with amp
Front speakers with splits
Megasquirt 3 ecu
Several tunes from mild to wild haha
Makes 270whp on 11 psi with 98 at a steady 240ftpd and 325 at 290ftpd at peak18psi
Momo gear knob
Street wheels are 15x9 6ul with 225 rs3
Track wheels are og axis 15x8 w 225 nt01
Car had been through the engineer and has turbo on the blue slip. Insured with Shannon's for 850 per year with full disclosure and they have seen my build page.
Can has full working aircon
Power steering
Everything works
Windows run sweet after I services them
Brand new windscreen and seals
No rust
2 remotes and 2 keys
New gorgous prestige fabric soft top with glass and demist

As you can see lots of money spent and everything is the best you can get in most circumstances.

That's it off the top of my head.

[IanR]

On a another note, because the car is pretty much near finished in my eyes and I'm looking into another project this car is almost possibly... Having trouble writing it, open to sell. If you are a buyer send me a pm to start discussions.

Well after doing the numbers and driving a few of the cars on my "dream next project" list... I've decided that the mx5 is still the best car for me to keep working on...I mean damn how much have I done, and there is more to improve so let's keep going!

Next on the list is a different turbo, manifold and intake... yes, due to a selling off from my garage a few sporting goods I have some coin for THE best turbo that money can buy for the mx5...hello new levels of unbelievable power from a 1.8 mx5. It will require a custom manifold from you know who and the results really should be a new benchmark in what is possible.

And yes, I'll take it to the track and the drags to see how its goes.

So anyone interested in a few more videos, but with near 400whp???

[rascal]

So anyone interested in a few more videos, but with near 400whp???

yep..

Out of interest, what gearbox are you going to put behind this?

[ManiacLachy]

Smells like EFR! Glad to hear you aren't selling, people selling awesome cars right after the build makes me sad.

Dann, you need to tune his car to be scary and wild so Ian doesn't get bored!

[billybunter]

maybe in the end ...you may have thought a bit like me. in my case rather than give the car away for near nothing I would rather go out there with a good quality blockbuster and smash the sh*t out of it rather than some-one get it for next to nothing

now it might sound harsh but over the years I have used a blockbuster on a chainsaw - a car - a lawnmower- but not yet on an SE

it looks like you and I can move forward as he head toward the magic 400 rwhp I think its good just for head value - like that head value- just to know -you have the power and it cost big $$$ to get that power