Turbocharging an Early MX5

[Mark O'Sullivan]

Hi Everyone

(Condensed from earlier e-mail)

I've been told that a turbo charger with intercooler is the best and easiest
way of gaining power with the MX5 - even with the stock cams and compression
ratio. I believe that this has been done successfully by a do-it-yourselfer.

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who knows a bit more about a
reasonably simple bolt-on turbo arrangement for the Mazda MX5 BD6 1600 engine
and what ever else needs to be done and taken into account. (I've heard that
the MX5 engine is the same strengthened version as of the Mazda 323 hatch
4-wheel drive BD6T 1600 Turbo circa late '80's - but with lighter rods and
different compression).

It's hard to get one of these 323T engines in good nick now - mainly because
of damage caused by poor maintenance and bits ingested from turbos that blew
as a result of old gummy oil seizing the bearings.

Cheers
Mark

[Simon Hardman]

The main bolt on turbo kits are:
AVO Turbo (Made in Aussie)
Flyin' Miata
Greddy (Cheap non-intercooled setup)

If you google for these you should find some info

It's not a turbo, but the one I keep almost talking myself into buying is the
Jackson Racing supercharger kit (formerly known as the Sebring, or in Japan
the Mazdaspeed)

This page may give you some ideas
http://www.miata.net/garage/garagepower.html

Simon

[Mark O'Sullivan]

Thanks Simon - that's much appreciated.

Cheers
Mark

From supasparky@yahoo.co.uk Fri Apr 27 17:25:50 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=yahoo.co.uk;
h=Message-ID:Received:Date:From:Subject:To:In-Reply-To:MIME-Version:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding;
b=FuvovkdW3qP03hzB8ctFndIN4zUzQALu2ZfGvM8zJkVhM3ZXJPPANkTJrTcsXZq9JybRHx2JVOA0sGiQjxC/zpz05bgT4iUe6hHmMCxM7Xn8X/YzSUwnMs8QKNhvuaiO3/ZBrKYHiLNqn2iz8l62s+38IzODe9aLMd7VXBmqxao=
;
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 07:34:53 +0100 (BST)
From: glenn roberts <supasparky@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Turbocharging an Early MX5
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
In-Reply-To: <001501c5dabc$842485a0$981158db@MARK>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <WafmRD.A.KDE.FxYMGB@L733>

How much work do you want to do yourself and how much
power you want will effect which way you go for turbo
kits.
First off, give Don from Autoways a call as i think he
is doing a turbo kit for sale??
The AVO turbo kit is a good bit of gear but by the
time you add on the extras like engine management you
can easily be on the wrong side of 6 or 7 grand for
the turbo setup!!.
Even my set up which is totally D.I.Y is going to be
about $3100 including engine management,exhaust and
uprated clutch.
If you want a simple bolt on start then get the Greddy
kit from mx5 mania in Aus:
http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewforum.php?f=44
OR just get the turbo, manifold dump pipe and oil
lines from AVO, then having an exhaust shop fab up
the intercooler pipes, then engine management to suit
the power (boost) you want to run, (anywhere from $250
for an adjustable fuel pressure regulator, to $700 for
a piggy back computor to $1500 for a link plug in
ECU.)
Before you ask...NO the 323 turbo manifolds dont
fit in an MX5.
Im sure Jeff and other turbo owners can help also.


Glenn "SLYDIT"
http://miata.cardomain.com/id/supasparky
Currently building a DIY Turbo..Subaru VF10 Turbo, Weld el manifold, 2.5"exhaust,subaru BOV, Isuzu intercooler, 330cc GTX injectors, dual feed fuel rail,RX7 air flow meter, Greddy Emanage piggy back computor.Custom full length cold air box...YEEEEEHHHAAA
Hopefully finished by summer:)


___________________________________________________________
How much free photo storage do you get? Store your holiday
snaps for FREE with Yahoo! Photos http://uk.photos.yahoo.com

From jifjif@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:25:49 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=beta; d=gmail.com;
h=received:message-idfrom:to:subject:in-reply-to:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding:content-disposition:references;
b=nW9I645dtpBCsxFpX+qAw8EYuTP9xmPLeBC2LK+BLZfVupabK0Cbf1ho+mxQD5Nx/mqkc2/hvNtN5ztzJjKZoHOz+GH5kleq9+L5Osbf3LgBPctfKibLcWW6+/PI9ig8GeW/l/6FpnON7IP1rlOVADzYKGg6FP1skj9RhSLLz/U=
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 20:12:37 +1300
From: ~Jeff~ <jifjif@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Turbocharging an Early MX5
In-Reply-To: <001101c5daaf$5ffb64d0$8a1358db@MARK>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
References: <001101c5daaf$5ffb64d0$8a1358db@MARK>
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <W14kFB.A.LDE.FxYMGB@L733>

The AVO kit gives good value, if I was doing it again I'd plump for
FLyin Miata's Ubercharger ... it'd cost about the same as what I
spent (wasted?) anyway ...

MX5mania has what might be a Greddy turbo going for cheap-ish ...
http://www.mx5mania.com/used.htm

The '96 I have has been "somewhat" modified and it's a lot of fun
(mostly when the roads are empty) but it's a different beast than at
the outset!

Mark - maybe think about a NB6c (2nd gen, 1600) as it will have the
stronger 7" diff ... and a 1600 !

http://www.greddyturbofaqs.com/
http://www.linuxpupil.com/darthmaulata/
http://www.brpperformance.com/ (turbo and supercharger kits, good forums)
http://www.jgstools.com/turbo/index2.html
http://www.racingmazda.com/
flyinmiata.com
miata.cardomain/id/jiffy (me! when I was single!)

blah blah blah ...

happy to try and answer any questions you might have.

Jeff


On 10/27/05, Mark O'Sullivan <mark.os@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

[Mark O'Sullivan]

Many Thanks to Glen & Jeff for your advice and links provided.

I'm going to start saving the pennies needed for this kind of work right
away. It's clear there's no way of getting what's needed without the
dollars...

Cheers & Thanks again guys
Mark

[EricW]

Hi Mark,

If you are around the Penrose area, there is a place in Industry Rd which is a
Greddy agent

[poison]

Hi Mark

I looked into the engine swap too, but now I'm just gathering bits for a bolt
on Turbo . The 323T is an East/West motor and of course the MX5 North/South,
the result (from what I have read and heard) is that the sump is all
different, and thus so is the oil pick-up and pump etc etc and I believe the
fun does not stop there. I was advised not to go down that path although
seemingly the best option.

My research also tells me that 6-8PSI on a stock engine is fine, I have also
met and read about others who run much higher. Variable boost is the best
option perhaps. If you are not in a rush and scrounge around for parts I think
a turbo and ECU would run at about $2500.

Although the supercharger gives more drivability, the kick in the pants of a
Turbo is always good. And of course there's the blow off sound if you're so
inclined.

Gazza
"PO1SON"

[Mark O'Sullivan]

Hi Gazza

Yep, I'm hearing everything you're saying and you're absolutely right. I've
been speaking to several other people this evening in the trade and what
you've written agrees exactly with what they've told me - and you've told me
more into the bargain!

Thanks Mate & Cheers!
Mark

From m.mccready@gmail.com Fri Apr 27 17:25:43 2007
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=beta; d=gmail.com;
h=received:message-idfrom:to:subject:in-reply-to:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encoding:content-disposition:references;
b=aQLn98dnnQxezG2bvksQvuMLHXL+iNBt797aSZFGEoLI5pnxwDi++d9YX1OWp6Y1BmYGd5yAZ8a/LsJ2lHPmwTcyRvLiPjnVjQkkAerNPEsmG2uueaE7h+0KL6wzTb/2un4R/dpjamesmHTYVA8iJWR17LGmI1kGIvGhTcoHysQ=
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 22:26:07 +1300
From: Mike McCready <m.mccready@gmail.com>
To: MX5List <mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>
Subject: Re: Head rest speakers
In-Reply-To: <CLEAJCJKHKBBHKMDNMKIOEBDCCAA.robertson.liz@xtra.co.nz>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
References: <14A270C0E2F4124AB0B7320BDBEA949F0A2B4D0F@vxchange.vcr.auckland.ac.nz>
<CLEAJCJKHKBBHKMDNMKIOEBDCCAA.robertson.liz@xtra.co.nz>
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Precedence: list
Message-ID: <LxGrdB.A.VDE.FxYMGB@L733>

I looked at installing some of the headrest speakers myself recently,
instead i decided to go for a nice box on the back shelf with a couple
of 6.5's, i figured they should be able to cope with whatever i
through at them, plus it ended up a lot cheaper.

Mike


On 10/27/05, Liz <robertson.liz@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
[...]

[WiM]

"Greddy BOV - bling - psssst (oh gee I hope that this is quiet)"

No, it isn't

WiM (I had a GReddy setup)


Quoting Chris Tankard <chris.tankard@aderant.com> on Fri, 28 Oct 2005
10:56:26 +1300:

Hey Mark,


I am going thru this at the moment - and well,
it's a lot of work - but
I really think that it will be worth it.


You have most of the usual links from the other
post - but I would
REALLY recommend joining the Miata.net forums -
the forced induction
section is a wealth of knowledge. Search on there
and you will get
answers to all your questions - and some that you
hadn't thought of
asking.


I looked at the AVO and FlyinMiata kits myself,
but chose to go with a
DIY (or ghettocharger as the US guys call it). I
wanted to make it a
learning exercise.


Building up the kit I have ended up with the
following:


HKS manifold (from greenline.jp) - all
recommendati
ons point to cast
units opposed to the s/steel ones (esp. the
cheaper units off ebay)
This is mainly because of cracking. The Greddy
units (cast) need
relief.


T-28 Turbo (second hand) - they are fairly easy to
get hold of - make
sure that there is no play and get the unit
reconditioned before popping
it in


Greddy BOV - bling - psssst (oh gee I hope that
this is quiet)


Mitsi Evo 7 Intercooler - managed to get a near
new unit cheap. I
thought that it would be best buying a known
quality unit off a
performance setup. Cheaper ebay and trademe units
have been known to be
fairly ineffective - you get what you pay for
here. Starion units seem
to be popular but are hardish to get hold of.


ECU - be prepared to spend $$$ I went with the
Miata Link and got the
software from FlyinMiata (you need to buy the air
temp sensor as well).
Add knock, boost, Wideband O2, serial link and
hand unit an
d the $$$ get
up there. Serial link allows you to use the DLL
and RT link software.
The author of RT link is always on miata.net and
offers his help. The
DLL s/w allows you to record your readings and
send to FM for help (at
no charge). Greddys emanage and the link are
really the 2 only options
that have a large user base - in this instance
unless you are really
clever with this kind of thing you are nest to
follow the crowd with
tried and tested solutions.


Injectors - 440's or 550's from a RX7 us the
cheapest way in get either:

89-91 | 13B NT | high | oval | center | 460cc |
red | 195500-2010

89-91 | 13B T | high | oval | center | 550cc |
purple | 195500-2020


And you save a ton. Remember to get them cleaned
etc before popping
them in.


Of course you will need a new clutch once you get
up in the power (and
possible a new diff if you are hard on it).


You can go to 12psi o
n stock internals without
impacting the life of the
engine. Good for iro 225rwhp


I am popping info up on my cardomain site as I go.
I am putting in the
Miatalink this weekend (whilst the car is nat.
asp.) to get the hang of
it.


Good luck on the project.


Email me if there is anything I can help with (I'm
no expert but I may
have just gone thru the same issues).


Chris


________________________________

From: e-admin@mx5club.org.nz
[mailto:e-admin@mx5club.org.nz] On Behalf
Of Mark O'Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, 27 October 2005 10:25 PM
To: MX5List
Subject: Re: Turbocharging an Early MX5


Hi Gazza


Yep, I'm hearing everything you're saying and
you're absolutely right.
I've been speaking to several other people this
evening in the trade and
what you've written agrees exactly with what
they've told me - and
you've told me more into the bargain!


Thanks Mate & Cheers!

Mark

[WiM]

My GF gave me a hard time about it too, "but it's for the safety of
the Turbo" hence safety of the passenger
WiM


Quoting Chris Tankard <chris.tankard@aderant.com> on Sat, 29 Oct 2005
12:06:41 +1300:

oh great - I did look around and asked for the
quietest one I could find - my wife and kids are really going to give me a
hard time over this.


C

________________________________

From: e-admin@mx5club.org.nz on behalf of WiM
Sent: Sat 29/10/2005 12:07 a.m.
To: mx5list@mx5club.org.nz
Subject: RE: Turbocharging an Early MX5


"Greddy BOV - bling - psssst (oh gee I hope that
this is quiet)"

No, it isn't

WiM (I had a GReddy setup)


Quoting Chris Tankard <chris.tankard@aderant.com>
on Fri, 28 Oct 2005
10:56:26 +1300:

Hey Mark,


I am going thru this at the moment - and well,
it's a lot of work - but
I really think that it will be worth it.


You have most
of the usual links from the other
post - but I would
REALLY recommend joining the Miata.net forums -
the forced induction
section is a wealth of knowledge. Search on there
and you will get
answers to all your questions - and some that you
hadn't thought of
asking.


I looked at the AVO and FlyinMiata kits myself,
but chose to go with a
DIY (or ghettocharger as the US guys call it). I
wanted to make it a
learning exercise.


Building up the kit I have ended up with the
following:


HKS manifold (from greenline.jp) - all
recommendati
ons point to cast
units opposed to the s/steel ones (esp. the
cheaper units off ebay)
This is mainly because of cracking. The Greddy
units (cast) need
relief.


T-28 Turbo (second hand) - they are fairly easy to
get hold of - make
sure that there is no play and get the unit
reconditioned before popping
it in


Greddy BOV - bling - psssst (oh gee I hop
e that
this is quiet)


Mitsi Evo 7 Intercooler - managed to get a near
new unit cheap. I
thought that it would be best buying a known
quality unit off a
performance setup. Cheaper ebay and trademe units
have been known to be
fairly ineffective - you get what you pay for
here. Starion units seem
to be popular but are hardish to get hold of.


ECU - be prepared to spend $$$ I went with the
Miata Link and got the
software from FlyinMiata (you need to buy the air
temp sensor as well).
Add knock, boost, Wideband O2, serial link and
hand unit an
d the $$$ get
up there. Serial link allows you to use the DLL
and RT link software.
The author of RT link is always on miata.net and
offers his help. The
DLL s/w allows you to record your readings and
send to FM for help (at
no charge). Greddys emanage and the link are
really the 2 only options
that have a large user base - in this instance
unless you are really

clever with this kind of thing you are nest to
follow the crowd with
tried and tested solutions.


Injectors - 440's or 550's from a RX7 us the
cheapest way in get either:

89-91 | 13B NT | high | oval | center | 460cc |
red | 195500-2010

89-91 | 13B T | high | oval | center | 550cc |
purple | 195500-2020


And you save a ton. Remember to get them cleaned
etc before popping
them in.


Of course you will need a new clutch once you get
up in the power (and
possible a new diff if you are hard on it).


You can go to 12psi o
n stock internals without
impacting the life of the
engine. Good for iro 225rwhp


I am popping info up on my cardomain site as I go.
I am putting in the
Miatalink this weekend (whilst the car is nat.
asp.) to get the hang of
it.


Good luck on the project.


Email me if there is anything I can help with (I'm
no expert but I may
have just gone
thru the same issues).


Chris


________________________________

From: e-admin@mx5club.org.nz
[mailto:e-admin@mx5club.org.nz] On Behalf
Of Mark O'Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, 27 October 2005 10:25 PM
To: MX5List
Subject: Re: Turbocharging an Early MX5


Hi Gazza


Yep, I'm hearing everything you're saying and
you're absolutely right.
I've been speaking to several other people this
evening in the trade and
what you've written agrees exactly with what
they've told me - and
you've told me more into the bargain!


Thanks Mate & Cheers!

Mark

[Darryl Curran]

if you want quiet, get the biggest u can afford. The bigger it is, the
better it flows, the better it flows, the less noise
Darryl Curran

[Okibi]

get the biggest u can afford. The bigger it is, the better it flows, the
better it flows, the less noise
Darryl Curran

Like this?

http://www.arach.net.au/~creative/Jambo ... _05_01.jpg

- Dave

[WiM]

Size matters is what they say...


Quoting David <miata@arach.net.au> on Sat, 29 Oct 2005 19:32:26 +0800:

get the biggest u can afford. The bigger it is, the better it flows,

the better it flows, the less noise

Darryl Curran

Like this?

http://www.arach.net.au/~creative/Jambo ... _05_01.jpg

- Dave


WiM
'91 1.6 MX-5 (due to immigration for sale)
www.mx5ireland.com
www.cardomain.com/memberpage/312875