timbo

A good source with excellent connections to MA told me today that there is quite a bit of work going into MA-sanctioned turbo kit and an accompanying brake upgrade using Brembo calipers. Apparently, there are two test cars with turbos already rolling (don't know how these relate to Rotormaster's work), including the brake upgrade. The turbos work fine -- the big issue is getting the fuel mapping right using the standard ECU. Apparently, reprogramming the stock ECU is painstaking, but MA want to do this so the the whole kit remains Mazda and is thus warrantable.

The goal is to run the two cars in Targa Tasmania and, if they perform well there and in other events, and are reliable, seek MJ approval for market release.

No details on output but, based on the MX-5 SP, I suspect it will be quite conservative. Nothing on price, either.

Gomez

So, Horsley's machine (or a derivative of it) may see the light of day after all! And after all the talk of it being a one-off .

Gomez.

mikeyr

mama.....i may have just wet myself! :D


sounds like easter bunny might have a dirty big parcel then!:D

RXE16T

RX8SP? Let's just hope it doesn't go the way of the RX7 SPII....

AMG

I didn't think the MX5 SP was that conservative, the SE on the other hand was very conservative.

An RX8 SP, bring it on, the perfect accesory for my number plates

RXE16T

SP = 154kw?
SE = 121kw?

I know which one I would take.

Lock & Load

Timbo

I for one wont be holding my breath , but if its under a Mazda warranty at a reasonable price and gives real performance figures in excess of 200kw at the wheels it would be , however hopefully Hymee and Dr Phil will get their supercharger out before mazda does and beat them to the punch .

cheers
michael

Gibbo

I hope you are right timbo, however everyone seems to have a different story. I spoke to my contact at Mazda Australia and also rang Mazda motor sport after the first turbo variant appeared at the motor show. They too said the cars were being developed for Targa Tasmania, however the technology would not be used by Mazda Australia, instead it was more likely to be sold off to an after market company. I wont make up any excuses on why this is the case because I don't know, however this is what I was told.

fatmarco

even if they did come out with some turbo variant,
what are the chances of them coming out with a bolt on kit???
it really isn't in their interests, and mazda have proven to be
deaf/dumb/blind to their customers.
they would prob like to release it late in the current product cycle
just before any rx7 comes out with the same turbo'd motor.(except
with less horsepower) for a premium sum of money. Much like they
are doing with the mx5.
don't mean to sound pessimistic but that is their track history.
i'm waiting for the hymee supercharger myself

fatmarco

takahashi

sounds good for me!

timbo

I observe that participants in on-line forums are strangely cynical. Well, in my view, this is good stuff and MA needs to be commended and encouraged

RXP33D

would they offer a bolt on kit for existing owners or would it be more likely that they put out the whole car with the turbo on the showroom floor for sale?

Saru

Bolt on kit: $65,000. Comes with new car

Taking the MX-5 SP/SE as an example, there will be no bolt on kit from MA for existing cars as that is not their business. GM (for example) can, in the states, afford to indulge in some of that as the market there is so large. Here, with 100 cars a month, there's no reason to when the aftermarket can take care of it.

The SP was the "halo" MX-5 for a time. They are, however, basically a hot-rod and are not "factory". The SE is "factory". You also have the option, with the MX-5 of a wide range of aftermarket turbo kits, supercharger kits, extractors, airboxes etc, none of which are available from MA. There are pros and cons for SP/SE/worked atmo options.

timbo

Yes, I wouldn't see much likelihood of a 'bolt-on' SP kit. Or, if there is, it will be priced to make buying the new, upgraded model more attractive.

Gomez

Latest Fast Fours (and Rotaries) have a story on the 360hp Sydney Motor Show special that Horsley did....he mentioned they were hoping to enter it in the Targa, like Gibbo said. Same car I reckon, Timbo.

mikeyr

I hope you're wrong gomez but read the same thing! bugger!

timbo

Sounds all too familiar not to be the case. Except there is a second car on the way, apparently. Hats off to Horsley. The man is an activist, and stirs things along. More power to him, I say!

mikeyr

I'd prefer a good old fashioned Roy and HG trousers off, I want my bolt on damn it.

NRVOUS

Guys,

If mazda wants to win races and win our votes as enthusiasts, then they need to sort out their fule surge problems, before even considering TURBO's. Im sure Gibbo has mentioned this in the past and also addressed it with Mazda Australia.
Half Tank, Red Line Down Eastern Creek straight and she no wanna go!!

As for the RX8 SP..... "Why teaseMr Horsley, come out and substantiate those figures of 270KW & 350NM"[B] How many of you out there are ready to place an order for the real deal, and what would you pay for it? In the coporate world its all about the bottom line. We can be tease my manufactures of potential factory specials or go and build your own personalised RX8 road rocket. :D

takahashi

If there is a decent system with reliable power, come with warranty or endorsement from Mazda Australia, I am happy to pay $10K-$12K for it.

EZZY

wondering how would MA warranty a newly designed turbocharged rotary....?

takahashi

Like the SP MX-5....? How do they do that? No idea.

RXE16T

Warranty is a gambling act..... it is a gamble made by manufacturers and even some dealers.

On one hand, they will increase sales by offerring more performance, on the other hand, they may get a few more cars coming back with issues.... it's all down to how financially feasible the situation is.

I can sell you a Monaro tuned with aftermarket accessories to pump out 400hp+ if you really wanted, and I'll give you a warranty covered by my dealership.

Why? Because it is a safe gamble.... I make a tidy G.P now and risk maybe having a handful come back with problems.

AMG

The MX-5 SP has had some reliability issues.

EZZY

yeah.... do you know what issues they had?
im sure the engine in MX-5's is BP series, and mazda had BP series engine Familia GTR in the early 90's for the rally.