One of the top cars in our country has been for sale for awhile by a lovely guy who has been the source of advice for the local MX5 forum members for ages.

This was the car that inspired many of us down here in NZ. Nothing amazing by you U.S guys standards but a great car none the less.

His car sale wasn't going anywhere so he has decided to part it out. I managed to snag his Goodwin Big Brake Kit (fr & Rr 11" setup) and also his motor setup.

Can anyone give me a run down on what they see as the features / benefits of the Garret T28 turbo and any other points of interest from the following description. Incidentally Lyn Rogers is the NZ guru of head work and is VERY well respected across all forms of motosport circles but especially circuit racing.

Turbocharged 1600cc race engine.
Dyno'd at 235bhp @ 10psi
Garrett T28 turbo
Wiseco forged pistons 8.5 comp ratio
Lynn Rogers worked head
440cc injectors (spare 550cc injectors available if you want to push the power up)
Twin fuel feed
VR4 intercooler and pipes
BOV and Racepro boost controller
Mazdaspeed competition engine mounts
Package complete with pod inlet, 2.5inch exhaust system and free flow muffler.
50mm Alloy radiator (with purpose built fan and mounting brackets)
ACT Extreme clutch (1.8L size)
ACT Prolite steel billet flywheel (4kg)
Oil catch tank 2L
MiataLink ECU + knock sensor

 

Did you buy just the motor or the whole setup listed? Its a good turbo setup but I do notice nothing (listed anyways) has been done the the bottom end besides pistons, which is one of the last pieces to fail in these cars. Also diff explosion is eminent.

 

Thanks for the input. I have tried to insert a photo but not sure if it will work....

Price was for the whole package, I have managed to sell my nephew the engine package and the brakes out of my car so the upgrade cost is only in the region of $1500.00. FOr motor and Goodwin 11" big brake kit.

I have already done a '94' 1800 diff swap (well, whole subframe/brakes/diff etc) and have a 99 diff and a 99 6 speed (sourced from different vehicles) ready to go in at the same time as the engine. I believe the diff is the 3.9 (some round here have suggested 3.6 but that is unlikely in NZ)...

Our tracks aren't as open as yours so I hope (maybe naively) that the 3.9 ratios might be okay. Failing that will just have to buy the 3.6 set later on...he was running this diff ......"1.8L differential + Kaaz 1.5 way LSD (with drive shaft and half shafts)" prior.

Keith (original owner) said he went through 2 x 5 speeds before he bought the 5 speed quafe gearset he has run the past 2+ years. Unfortunately this was already gone to a friend of his before I got the chance to buy that as well. Though it may have been cost prohibitive...he won't tell me how much he got for it....

So I am hoping that the 6 speed and diff will be strong enough....any thoughts or discussion on this would be welcomed also.....

 

You are going to need a much bigger turbo before you need to worry about blowing up a 6 speed.

 

At 235whp that car should last forever.

 

its 210 rwhp.

 

No mention of rods in that motor. Do you know what was done for rods?

 

I think the rods are standard 1600 ones. These are safe up to quite a bit higher though aren't they?

and I believe it's 235 at the wheels. Head has had a lot of work.....

Is the t28 the "disco potatoe" ?(sorry REAL noob when it comes to turbos.....)

 

Stock rods are typically quoted as being safe here between 225-250 rwtq. YMMV, it's what Brainy told me.

 

Yeah that is usually the safe zone. The B6 rods are the same as the BP. Don't rate safety levels with horsepower or boost, safety is rated in torque.

There is a danger zone for stock rods and you are probably near it.

 

Right, thanks for that. Will put that on the to do list when it needs a freshen up.

I guess my plan of pushing it up to 12 psi may not be such a good idea then.

 

Cool pics, that transmission and diff will be fine for almost double what your running. I wouldn't be turning up the boost though without rods and arp studs, especially being a track car. Atleast not without dynoing to find out exactly where your at.