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Follow-Up Test: 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata MX-5
- Thread starter NFS4
- Start date
Vic
Elite Member
Per Car and Driver, the Mazdaspeed Miata has a little IHI RHF5 turbo with a max boost of only 7.3 psi. Compression is at 9.5:1 instead of the NA Miata's 10:1. Redline is at 6,500 rpm instead of the NA's 7,000.
The Miata has never been about pure power. Instead, it's a pure driver's car that's about handling and fun, with just enough power that you never find it lacking. It's about "Bring on the twisties!"
Personally, I've always loved Miatas (except for how cramped they are), and I think this new Mazdaspeed turbo version is a sweet little ride.
The Miata has never been about pure power. Instead, it's a pure driver's car that's about handling and fun, with just enough power that you never find it lacking. It's about "Bring on the twisties!"
Personally, I've always loved Miatas (except for how cramped they are), and I think this new Mazdaspeed turbo version is a sweet little ride.
geno
Lifer
Originally posted by: Howard
What kind of turbo did they install that spools up at 4500RPM???
They didn't say it spooled by then, just that the power boost was noticable. Small motors like the 1.8 in the Miata take a while to build up the steam required to get a good kick in the pants from a turbo. I'm sure Mazda could've found a more suitable setup, but I'm guessing there was limited R&D funds available and they just slapped on what they know will work.
Come on, a smaller turbine housing would have been how much more difficult? I think the torque curve would be a lot more entertaining if the boost rose faster.Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Howard
What kind of turbo did they install that spools up at 4500RPM???
They didn't say it spooled by then, just that the power boost was noticable. Small motors like the 1.8 in the Miata take a while to build up the steam required to get a good kick in the pants from a turbo. I'm sure Mazda could've found a more suitable setup, but I'm guessing there was limited R&D funds available and they just slapped on what they know will work.
geno
Lifer
Originally posted by: Howard
Come on, a smaller turbine housing would have been how much more difficult? I think the torque curve would be a lot more entertaining if the boost rose faster.Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Howard
What kind of turbo did they install that spools up at 4500RPM???
They didn't say it spooled by then, just that the power boost was noticable. Small motors like the 1.8 in the Miata take a while to build up the steam required to get a good kick in the pants from a turbo. I'm sure Mazda could've found a more suitable setup, but I'm guessing there was limited R&D funds available and they just slapped on what they know will work.
you sacrafice top end though, with a motor this small, the powerband is very narrow with the use of a turbo. Top end is more important in a car like this since it's marketed as being sporty. A *good* 1.8 turbo can be done, just look at VW/Audi's offerings, however that Mazda motor wasn't designed from the ground up for turbo use I'm guessing, which makes getting it to work with a turbo tougher...
Edit - don't get me wrong, this could have been better executed, but Mazda *really* half-assed the turbo setup on the Protege, and I suspect the same happened here.
opticalmace
Golden Member
i want one
Originally posted by: Howard
Come on, a smaller turbine housing would have been how much more difficult? I think the torque curve would be a lot more entertaining if the boost rose faster.Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Howard
What kind of turbo did they install that spools up at 4500RPM???
They didn't say it spooled by then, just that the power boost was noticable. Small motors like the 1.8 in the Miata take a while to build up the steam required to get a good kick in the pants from a turbo. I'm sure Mazda could've found a more suitable setup, but I'm guessing there was limited R&D funds available and they just slapped on what they know will work.
Then again, you don't want your stupid leadfooted, stability control-overconfident drivers to constantly spin their cars into telephone poles if you're Mazda. But you're right... a 3K rpm kick-in-the-pants turbo with lower compression pistons would be total hooligan fun.
9.5:1 is pretty friggin high for a turbo car... then again, mebbe they weren't sure if the chassis would be able to handle the addition of that much torque without major modifications. The thing seems similar to the MzSpd Protege... the slapped a turbo on it with minor modifications and parts bin tweaking. Thing would prolly grenade with 200+ hp & 200+ ft/lbs from a slightly bigger turbo.
This car is getting close to the RX8 in price as well... Mazda, plz bring back the RX7!!
GTaudiophile
Lifer
Drive one and you won't want a family 😀
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
I test drove a Miata a few years after they came out (I owned a Mustang GT convertible at the time) and I was most unimpressed with the car. Very underpowered even for such a small car. My step-Dad's '71 Triumph TR-6 was ten times more fun to drive and the Mustang just plain dusted it.
mAdD INDIAN
Diamond Member
Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Howard
Come on, a smaller turbine housing would have been how much more difficult? I think the torque curve would be a lot more entertaining if the boost rose faster.Originally posted by: geno
Originally posted by: Howard
What kind of turbo did they install that spools up at 4500RPM???
They didn't say it spooled by then, just that the power boost was noticable. Small motors like the 1.8 in the Miata take a while to build up the steam required to get a good kick in the pants from a turbo. I'm sure Mazda could've found a more suitable setup, but I'm guessing there was limited R&D funds available and they just slapped on what they know will work.
you sacrafice top end though, with a motor this small, the powerband is very narrow with the use of a turbo. Top end is more important in a car like this since it's marketed as being sporty. A *good* 1.8 turbo can be done, just look at VW/Audi's offerings, however that Mazda motor wasn't designed from the ground up for turbo use I'm guessing, which makes getting it to work with a turbo tougher...
Edit - don't get me wrong, this could have been better executed, but Mazda *really* half-assed the turbo setup on the Protege, and I suspect the same happened here.
ACtually the 1.8 (and earlier 1.6) in the Miata was designed for turbo applications and high boost. It's a very stout motor thats already been proven by numerous S/C Miatas. I've seen a SC Miata on autocross and its blindly quick, in fact its down right scary...almost as fast as a Caterham 7 (which was also racing that day).
Your right on the Mazdaspeed PRotege, they messed that one up.
rufruf: A V8 does in fact fit in a Miata. There are a few conversions with the Ford 5L and Chevy small-block.
GTaudiophile
Lifer
Exactly. BMWs don't tend to come "alive" until around 80mph, whereas Miatas are an extreme blast at around 35-55, especially on a twistie road. It's not about the top speed or acceleration, it's about that .91G skidpad.
Mazdaspeed is a good thing, but I need more room than the Miata offers. So I'll just continue to wait patiently for the Mazdaspeed3 and 6. I'm not crazy about the 3 hatch though and I've got a feeling the MS3 will be hatch only. From what I've seen of the MPS concept, the MS6 is going to be a very sweet ride.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
In real world everyday driving I would rather have a car that is fast and reasonably fun to drive on twisty roads-it doesn't need to be a handling monster. Really, how often can you actually take advantage of those capabilities in everyday driving? Besides the Mustang has a back seat! Miata just felt too small and tin-can-like to me. Maybe they've improved a bit, the one I drove was an early 90s model...Still, it was a brand new car. I was used to the Mustang GT convertible. I probably would have enjoyed a car like that but I didn't end up buying it.
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