Supercharged NC Tomfoolery

General Discussion Forums Readers Rides
2

Hi guys, new to the forum,

After 15 years of Impreza’s, road trips and trackdays I decided to try something different so swapped my Spec C with a friends E46 M3, took it to a sprint day at Curborough with the Type RA Impreza boys to see what’s what and I really, really liked it so decided to ring round for some track orientated parts such as AP callipers, wheels, tyres, coilovers, buckets, halfcage etc…

 …after I picked myself (and my wallet) up off the floor when getting quotes, I now have an M3 garage queen!

Back on the hunt for a cheaper fun/track car, I looked at loads of RWD cars including Z4’s, S2000’s and various BMW’s, I very nearly bought an early 3.0 Z4 until I found this MX-5 for sale.

It’s a 2007 with 23k miles, has loads of bits done to it already including Miester’s, Whiteline ARB’s, adjustable drop links, Cobalt strut brace, I.L Motorsport stainless manifold, sport cat and full exhaust and the best part, a BBR Cosworth supercharger kit!

On top of the BBR kit the previous owner also fitted Cosworth injectors (not sure what CC they are), a smaller pulley and a 2.5 Bar map sensor. He was gradually mapping it via data logging with a guy in the USA called Dynatronics, he reckons it’s running around 280-290bhp which I’m not too sure about to be honest as I would expect it to be scary fast with that amount of power, it’s quick but I would guess it’s more like 240-250bhp, either way it’s great fun!

Already drove it round Curborough with the Scooby boys again last month, I’ve got loads of ideas but it desperately needs mapping first which I’ll probably go to Skuzzle for, then, as long as it’s running ok and it gets a clean bill of health, I’ll get some decent tyres, wheels, roll bar and the geometry setup a bit more aggressively.

Anyway, enough of my woffle…

 

20180608_131821 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr

43431113471_53e41217b8_o by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr

20180608_124621 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr

 

 

3

Fun, ain’t it !

4

Loads of fun!!

I see you have the same car and mods, do you recommend anything and have you had any issues running the extra power?
I was thinking of fitting a second inline water pump for the charge cooler and maybe a larger heat exchanger but can’t find much info about it except for on the USA sites, want to keep it running as cool and safe as possible

5

Did you happen to buy this from a chap in Dunstable? If you did you got an awesome bargain. I was out of the country when it was advertised which is probably good as I would have bought it!!

6

No issues with the extra power although you may find you will go thru a set of tyres quicker than usual. Never had any proplems with heat either. Did boil me brakes once, but that was round Brands Hatch which is particularly heavy on them…the best piece of advice I can give you is to check the oil level regularly as these engines are prone to bottom end problems if they run low on oil, even without the FI.

7

Yes I got the car from Mark in Dunstable, he was moving to Spain, had loads of interest and thought I’d missed it but he messaged me back and I was the first one at his door.

Thanks BK65, I’ve just bought all new fluids including RBF600 brake fluid, which is what I used on the Impreza’s, and Rodders pads, yet to fit any of it yet.

8

Lucky guy! True steal. I only live about 10 miles down the road so you were lucky I was away 

 

9

I got the car back from Skuzzle after they mapped it, mapped nice and safe, I’m really happy with the way it drives now!

20180915_234615 by ROSS HALSEY, on Flickr