Hi all, newbie here lol.
Im looking to buy my 1st MX-5, going to be an early one, with a view to supercharging as I have a spare supercharger off a mini cooper s lying around lol!!
Few questions to get me started though!
Am I better going for a 1.6 or 1.8? Is one engine notably stronger etc?
Has anybody used this charger on an MX-5 yet? if so is there any details available?
Any links or websites known to start my research?
That should see me started with the project anyway lol.
Thanks guys
Craig
Hi. I believe someone has engineered a MINI supercharger into an MX-5, though I can’t remember who it was. Seem to recall it was written up in a magazine, so a bit of searching may turn it up.
Anyway, the question comes up now and then because there are so many MINI blowers available cheaply on eBay etc. The MINI version of the M45 is not the same as the version used in MX-5 kits, so the mounting hardware from those kits can’t be used. I recall that Phil Dixon of Performance5 looked into developing a kit of parts to let these be used on MX-5’s but concluded it was too awkward a task to be viable compared to the Jackson Racing kit already available. Even if you have the skills and tools to fabricate custom bracketry yourself, it’ll be a whole lot easier to go with an existing kit, and cheaper still to buy a car which is already supercharged.
Not what you want to hear, I imagine, but I hope some of that’s useful.
hmm, will have to just measure it up when I have the car. I have a friend who really likes to make brackets for me lol so will be an interesting project.
Was considering the turbo route but want a more smooth and predictable power delivery for what I have in mind for the car but remains the back up option none the less.
Is there a particular model I should avoid for any reason? such as weaker engine/gearbox/differential etc?
Cheers guys
If I am remembering this correctly the main problem is that the mini supercharger doesn’t have a bypass - it’s built in to the manifold. On the MX-5 kit the bypass is built into the SC. This means that to fit a mini sc onto an MX5 you will have to build a bypass into the manifold when you fit it onto an MX-5
Two points I believe Practical Performance had an article which involved the kit you are talking about. Second point as an alternative I may have a 1.8 with supercharger for sale before very long assuming the car I am after happens.
Am I better going for a 1.6 or 1.8? Is one engine notably stronger etc?
1.8 for a little more power, strength should not be a problem unless you are going mad (well over 200 bhp)
Has anybody used this charger on an MX-5 yet? if so is there any details available?
Think so but so much work you would have to question it (have you looked at a turbo if big power is the aim?)
Any links or websites known to start my research?
This one and the old MXOC forum (depending on how much has been moved).
A questions for you is what do you plan on using the car for?
Both engines are pretty tough and have no problem runing an M45 based supercharger installation with their stock internals. Extra displacement of the 1.8 will give a little more power, all other things being equal. I’ve found the stock 1.8 clutch to be absolutely fine with over 180hp/150 ft lb, don’t know if the 1.6 clutch would hold that torque or not. If you’re chasing higher power you’ll need an aftermarket clutch and if you get into the 200+ hp range it’s worth noting that the 1.6 differential is more fragile than the 1.8 (6" ring gear as opposed to 7").
Echo Martins comments. I’m running fine on stock 1.8 clutch at around 210 bhp (crank) and have been now for a lot of miles without issue. Can’t say what state I’d be in with a basic 1.6 set up…
John, would appreciate some more details on the car! Also the price if you do sell. I am on a budget hence wanting to use the mini supercharger as I already have it lol. Also whereabouts are you as I will have to bear that in mind to.
I don’t think 1.6/1.8 is really a problem at this stage. You need to work out how you’d build a bypass into the manifold/brackets before even considering going any further.
Buying a car that’s already finished is a much easier and cheaper option [;)]
The fun is you get to drive it and save a few thousand pounds. Theres a guy called Craigo on MX5Nutz.com selling a very nice turbocharged MK1 for only 3K, seriously cheap and fully sorted, even has Watanabe alloys…
Craig, car is 1993 1.8 s series Eunos. It has a mohair hood, 15 inch wheels with 4 good toyos. The suspension has been upgraded to KYG adustables with standard springs. I am based in Buckingham and can be contacted on 07889378685.
John
This thread details fitting a mini charger to a 5. I believe someone is putting blue prints together for the brackets required so people can get their own fabricators to make them up, and ‘barryspiers’ has made and fitted the brackets to a mini charger fitted into his car as the ‘test mule’.