Hello,
I’m thinking of getting BBR to give my NC a power boost.
My NC has only 36K miles, one previous owner and in great condition.
Has anyone had BBR work on their car, pro’s and con’s?
Thanks
My NC has BBR turbo. 300 bhp.
By coincidence fitted when the car was on 36000 miles. Its now on 52000.
Absolutely love it and had no issues with it in the 5 years ive had it. I bought with 46000 on it. A previous owner had fitted it.
Done several track days in it and used it on the road as well in my ownership.
Its fine for both. Maybe not the most comfortable road car as its fairly low and firm but its a great if thats what you need.
Nothing bad to say on it really.
Thanks,
Is 300 bhp a bit of a handfull on the road as opposed to track. I doubt my car will ever be driven on track. I’m leaning more to the 200 bhp upgrade but don’t want to upgrade twice if I find it underpowered.
Not especially, just drive to the condition. There’s plenty of other cars out there with far more power.
It’ll be fine
To have them do a forced induction conversion will cost you a hell of a lot of money, fine if you can afford it and want to though.
Lots say the super 200 is more than enough to enjoy on our roads and not silly money to be honest.
Ive thought about looking for a converted car myself, id lean toward the S/C as the power delivery is more like a N/A car from what ive read but it is a tough choice.
The Turbo cars do seem to make a bit more power for the outlay.
As said by reggie, its dependant on your driving style.
I know mine will cut the revs instantly if it thinks its getting out of shape exiting a roundabout too vigorously. So it doesnt suddenly surprise you and throw you off the road.
300 isnt a big power number these days as many of the cars on the road are at this level and more, even mummy mobiles exceed this with no issue.
I wouldnt want you to start lower and regret not going straight in, but ultimately thats your choice. Many people enjoy a cam change or filter and exhaust and are delighted with the extra power.
I have a 250bhp BBR (but originally developed by Corten-Miller) Supercharger on my 25AE / NC3 / Mk3.75.
Certainly don’t feel that it’s too much power for the car (which is lowered and has uprated brakes). I’ve had many powerful RWD cars (mostly Porsches and M-Power), and the MX-5’s roadholding is more than good enough for fast road driving. Not been on a track with it, though. There is an upgrade to 300bhp available (allegedly it’s just a different clutch) but I’ve not been tempted; it’s fast enough as it is.
I prefer the all-through-the-rev-range power of the SC over a turbo. Mine was fitted 6 years and 25k miles ago, by a previous owner, and there have been no problems with it (I have a full documented history, and got BBR to check it over last year).
Also, bhp is fairly meaningless without knowing the weight of the car (bhp/tonne is a much more meaningful statistic).
For reliability supercharger.
I’m hoping that around 200 bhp will be enough for me but if not I can always add forced induction later.
The money saved is going on Ohlins coilovers and a BBR back box. When my holiday allowance refreshes in 2025 I’ll book a hotel near to BBR and get the work done.
What I have as a starting point is de-cat manifold, sports cat mid and stock back box which I put back on after taking off a Cobra race back box that was far too loud. I’m hoping BBR can advise me. I sent an email but no reply yet.
I don’t know their lead times for getting booked in.
do you still have the cobra back box and if so are you looking to sell it? im after making mine abit louder as its stock at the moment and imo you cant really have a quiet sports car…
Lead times at BBR are about six weeks at the last time of asking, my NC is going in at the end of October.
I haven’t thought about it. Maybe when I find the paperwork. Not just yet though.
Thanks,
I’m just being nosey, but what mods are you getting done?
no bother mate, thought id ask
Super 200 plus a bit of suspension.
I would definitely go turbo as I like lazy power. Effortless without some high-pitched screaming from the engine is perfect for me.
I’ve still got a mk2 Audi TT with a modest 210 bhp. That small turbo kicking in strongly, without lag at a little over 2k is still one of the reasons I can’t bring myself to sell it.
Never had anything super-charged so can’t compare.
Will you update on how it went because I’m looking at similar, ta.
Sure, no problem.
I have a stage 1 BBR turbo which has 270bhp only use that on the road with standard bilsteins but with Eibach antiroll bars. I love it, can drive it steady if you want, the midrange torque is so much better which is what was missing with the standard car for me. You can change into 6th gear at about 35-40mph and it will accelerate away with ease. But when you want the power to overtake or such like above 3000rpm very little can keep with you.
I wouldn’t use on track purely down to the heat management but for the road I wouldn’t change it.
I have been in a supercharged car the difference was that it had to be wound up through the rev range to get to the power/torque. I felt that it would be brilliant for track work as it’s all about revs and I’m hoping to build another into that in the future for some trackdays, but I won’t change the turbo one for road use, it’s just that good and great fun.
what id like to know is the standard 2L mx really underpowered?
i daily mine and have never found it wanting for more power even with spirited driving.
and this is coming from a person who has a 2009 suzuki hayabusa with over 200 ponies which untill last monday i was daily riding, so i like abit of speed.