I’m about to buy a 1.6 Angels edition with a view to giving it some upgrades at some point (it is in good condition - chassis rails, sills etc, so worth while I think). My understanding is that the 1.6 is the better option for forced induction.
But, where to start:-
Am I right in thinking 1.6 is the better (more durable?) option?
What performance upgrades can I get from head skim/exhaust/cam/etc without turbo/SC?
Is it better to just bite the bullet and go for turbo/SC (with suitable upgrades to brakes and suspension)?
Any recommendations for who to use? I’ve seen Skuzzle Motorsport and 5 speed. I live in Peterborough, so Skuzzle is a bit of a trek!
I’m guessing new bits are preferable albeit more expensive - can’t gauge what has been thrashed and not thrashed? Not sure I’d want a second hand SC in particular…??
Cam upgrades, headwork; fairly marginal for quite a lot of money. With the 1.6 NB, your tuning options are more limited, because the 1.6 NB was never sold in the US. No 1.6 4-2-1 manifolds available unless you import from Japan (£500-700). 1.6 turbos; I think the argument at one time was that there were more cheap 1.6 kits available, but these were never really made for the NB, and the cheap Greddy kit has long gone. I think the 1.6 NB has a significantly different engine from the original 1.6. I don’t think its any more durable than the 1.8.
Allegedly, back in the day, Mazda managed to get 160hp out of a 1.6 with head, cap work, combined with some expensive electronics from Mazda’s own Skunkworks, involving fitment of a hotwire MAS from a Mazda MPV.
I think buying a NB6 with the intention of tuning it, rather than enjoying it for what it is, will prove frustrating. Fitting Mk1 1.6 parts will be doable but not straightforward, much more will be bespoke, or involve ordering from Japan. A Japanese spec RS Mk2 is more or less at the same output as a M45 supercharged 1.6.
Ring up Mtech (me electronics). They’re also down douth but do drive in drive out turbo conversions with their fully mappable ecu for about £2500. Also this forum isn’t great for turbo tuning questions and knowledge. You’re better off with talking on mx5nutz or mightyfives.
We’ve got a couple of people with good MX5 tuning experience closer to you than Scuzzle, you might want to talk to Micheal Cleverly at Stradbroke in Suffolk http://www.mx5expert.com