2011 MX-5 PRHT 6MT: Suggested Turbo Kit?
 

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to the forum but old to fast cars and haven't done any tuning since I sold my '69 GTO back in the eighties.

I've recently bought a 2011 PRHT GT 6MT with the premium package. 13,000+ miles for $23,000. Other than a couple of small scratches it looks pristine.

I'm thinking about turbocharging this car. It will be a daily driver, used approximately 12k-14k per year. I'm able to pick up and understand new tuning information, perhaps a little slowly, but I've never been handy and have no desire to go back to working on my car. I used to do it all the time, but that was back when a wrench, a screwdriver, a hammer and a timing light would take care of most things.

I've done a LOT of reading over the last few weeks, both on this forum and one other Miata forum. The state of the art has changed since my last sports car ('93 RX-7) and I'm working on catching up.

I would like suggestions on how you would take a car like mine and upgrade it to a turbo given the following restrictions/goals.

1. I'm OK with less than 250 hp but want more than 200hp and have no wish to modify engine internals.

2. I would like a kit, or something kit like, that I can take to a local shop (Mazcare seems likely) and have installed.

3. I would like it to be as OEM like as possible. Turnkey, install and drive.

4. $6K-$7K is about my limit (installed).

On a separate note, my MX-5 came with the premium package, but I'm not sure if it has a LSD, or the Bilstein shocks. If not I will probably want to swap these out. Any way to crawl up under it and verify without taking anything apart/

Thanks!

Doc

Sorry didn't read the post. Short on time. Post pictures please. :D

Also based on just the title, did you check FlyinMiata? But I think they don't have a turnkey turbo solution for the NC, just SC. But I'm sure you've checked there already.

I have, they don't list a kit for MX-5's newer than 2005. I've looked at the BEGi kits, the FM kits, and the TDR kits.

This pains me to say, but the FM S/C kit seems to satisfy all your wants and needs, other than it not being a turbo.

Tuning Done Rong (not to be confused with Track Dog Racing) has a kit that i suppose isn't the worst thing in the world.

Hi Concealer,

I looked at that kit and it does look appealing. I didn't see any exhaust components with it which makes me wonder if it gets the advertised improvement without modifying the exhaust?

LSD test: From a stop, rev to 5000rpm, drop the clutch, then check how many tire marks you made. >1, you have LSD.

LOL! OK, I can do that. How about the shocks, do they have any easily identifiable markings on them?

I believe that the dyno chart shown for the kit is from one of their "Targa Package" cars which includes an exhaust.

They advertise about 230whp with stock exhaust i think. Targa Package ends up around 250whp.



If it were ME working with your car, for your purposes, i'd honestly just buy the Supercharger kit, no electronics, a decent exhaust setup from somewhere, and a standalone EMS that your local tuner is most familiar with. Oh, and a clutch.

That combination is currently at or close to the top of my list of possibilities. Would you go ahead and put in a lighter flywheel while you were replacing the clutch?

The only other one that looked close was the TDR Turbo kit.

I'm a big fan of "while i'm in there" so i don't have to do work twice, even if it means i blow my initial budget. :)

So, yes, i'd do a light flywheel.


I'd consider the Tuning Done Rong kit, but ESPECIALLY in this case, with no electronics and a standalone of your choice.

Why not a BEGi kit? Sounds like its right up your alley, although the FM supercharger setup isn't bad either and would get you the 250 you're after

As you've probably already noticed, there aren't many options for the NC's these days. Everyone is having too much fun modifying the daylights outa NA's and NB's lol

I HIGHLY suggest you stay away from TDR (tuning done retarded, not Track Dog Racing). That guy is a raging idiot.

The BEGi kit is definitely a possibility. I'm not thrilled at having to relocate the battery, but given the limited space under the hood of an NC I'm somewhat resigned to those type of issues.

Basically the only kits I'm aware of are the FM SC kit, the BEGi S3 kit and the TDR Force2. I'm not familiar with the pros and cons of any of them other than what I've read on the internet, and I'm also wondering if there are other options out there.

I'm sure that long time users are very aware of who the legitimate suppliers are, and who to avoid. I'm also fairly certain that there can be some disagreement about who falls in which category. I'm trying to figure that out before I spend lots of hard earned cash on an inferior product.

Between BeGi and FM:

If you want something that will fit right the first time and have your entire order arrive at your door complete and correct with a baller packaging job, you buy FM.

QFT.

+1 on the FM Supercharger kit for your needs. FM even gives you a 50k mile warranty. Who the hell gives you a warranty on REAL performance parts in this day and age?

There is a fellow on mx5atlanta that goes by mxgeorge who has a very nicely done 2006-up turbo car. I don't know the details but it is a daily driver and it runs STRONG. And it has been running a turbo for at least 4 years that I know of. Perhaps his was done by a shop local to you and might be a good answer for your needs. A kit might not be as good an answer as a local shop that builds the components in house (just like BEGI and FM do) and has been there and done that before a few times.

I wish you the best with your search.

You can do the LSD test with a bit more mechanical empathy by just hitting it hard in first in gravel or dirt. No 5000 RPM clutch drops required, although if you DO decide on the asphalt clutch drop method, video please?

THIS. I really like everyone there but most BEGI produced parts I have bought required some modification...

Topic break: I just saw a sale thread for a rollbar with a padded leather cover to fit a PRHT, just in case you might be interested. Here.

Sir,
The battery, when moved to the rear, changes the weight distribution of the nose heavy MX5 by 2%.

All the items are provided and the task takes about an hour. I remain surprised that every owner doesn't do same.

Corky

I never could understand why the hell Mazda engineers moved the battery to the front in the first place. There are a quite a few half ass decisions that were made with the NC.

I still want one though.