BEN99W

Hi

Im Ben from Chelmsford in England. I own a 2002 MX5 that the previous owner had installed a BEGi turbo kit on. I bought the car with just 18k on the clock 2 years ago, the previous owner having run a turbo'd NB for a number of years before it succumbed to rust. He then bought an immaculate NB2 from an elderly gent and had his fast stuff switched onto it. When his young family forced him to get a 4 seater I became the owner.

The trouble with buying a premodified car, is that you rarely know exactly what you are getting, and it takes longer to become truly familiar with the exact spec - especially as this was my first MX5 and first Turbo.

Previously I'd owned a Westfield which I'd modified extensively until my wife found it too hard, fast, hot and noisy to want to go in, so a more useable alternative was required. It looked like this:




I was actually surprised how capable the MX5 is once turbo'd. The intention was not to tinker any more, but that hasn't happened. Ive stiffened it with Hard Dog Deuce, frame rails, 3 point strut brace and Mazda's beefiest underbody options. I've replace the tired Teins with Meister R GT1 coilovers and I've struggled to keep the studs loosening, fitting competition engine mounts, an engine damper, M10 inconel hardwear, and modifying the separated gases DP with a better flex joint and a brace. Finger crossed. Ive also fitted an oil cooler, a catch can and a washer tank.Here she is:




One thing I'm not certain of is the turbo. The invoice says T25. However when I sent it off for a health check the specialist said it was a ball bearing rather than journal. It has A/R 64 stamped on it, presumably this makes it a GT2560R? I currently runs Emeralds oldest, least sophisticated ECU which they can upgrade which I plan to do along with fitting a lambda to try overcome a propensity to run lean.

Cheers

Ben

ecksjay

hi mate

weird, i'm in Billericay, so not too far from you

If the turbo has a plate on it, it should be easy to check what it is. I've had a few turbo mazdas so happy to chat about it locally if you fancy. Those Emeralds, even in their most common/updated form are a bit vintage these days. I would highly recommend you look into an ME221 as you'll get plenty of uk based support and they are more versatile than the emeralds from what i understand.

BEN99W

Hi,
I'd be more than happy to meet up. I've found it very difficult to find other mx5ers prepared to have a proper tyre kick. The owners club always seem to be more interested in socials than getting their bonnets up and the Facebook group never seem to get out.

The turbo doesn't have a plate on it and the serial number is very difficult to deduce.

I'll have to have a think about the ECU.

Ben

HarryB

Car looks nice and tidy! Where on earth did you manage to get a Deuce on this side of the pond?

ecksjay

You're not far away so lets get something in the diary when my car is back. It is currently with M-tech in wiltshire being finished but when it's back i'll give you a shout. It's a forged mk2 RS, c. 320bhp on a TD05-16g/ME221 etc. I've had a few turbo mx5s before also (mainly imports) so am quite familiar with them, having owned....47 in total. I also have another mk2.5 Web@tuned roadster (basically a rarer mk2.5 RS) import currently that'll be on the road in the next few months once I find the time to work on it.

I'll be honest, i've never bothered with the MX5OC as it is basically a load of old men that love chrome, and not much else. I was on nutz years back but rarely do much mazda related internetting these days due to time limitations and what not.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Welcome to The Forum. I love the Westfield!

This forum is much more technical and is about proper speed and handling rather than cosmetics. Many of us are regular track rats. Good luck moving forward.

BEN99W

Thanks, I got lucky on a used one. I was really impressed with the build quality when I installed it. It fitted so intimately, I'm sure it stiffened things even before I bolted it in.

Ben

BEN99W

Definitely lets meet.

And wow! 47? 320bhp will be a beast - I look forward to seeing that.

BEN99W

Thanks, I do miss the Westfield, but it was a one trick pony. The Mazda covers more bases, even if it's not as hard-core a thrill.

I've been rummaging through the forum. There's clearly a lot of knowledge here. Doesnt look like you suffer fools though!