Until the Mazdaspeed version of the MX-5 makes its debut, those of us looking for forced-induction power from Mazda's NC Miata must turn to the aftermarket. Of all the tuning firms looking to turbo- or supercharge the new MX-5, Cosworth has both the reputation and technological prowess to pull it off sans drama.
According to Eric Hsu, founder of XS Engineering and current Cosworth engineer, despite some setbacks, Cosworth will be releasing its bolt-on supercharger soon. The setup produces approximately 210 hp at the wheels, looks OEM clean and is designed to be legal in all 50 states. But Cosworth isn't stopping there. Hsu says that a Stage 2 version is planned that ups the boost, adds a set of headers and includes some hotter cams. We can't wait to check it out, particularly with the "1G" suspension package offered by Mazdaspeed.[Source: Beyond the Dyno]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Lee Gibson @ May 20th 2008 4:09PM
Bathe it, and bring it to me.
scott @ May 20th 2008 4:13PM
Is that a roots style blower? Hard to tell from the pictures...
Justin @ May 20th 2008 4:24PM
I sure hope it is, blower whine FTMFW
darth_pies @ May 20th 2008 4:14PM
Assuming we're talking about the 2.0litre engine here i *think* its the same Ford Duratec engine that Caterham has fitted in their R400 (210bp NA) and the new R500 (250bhp NA as seen in the Autocar video the other day). So why *only* 210bhp from a supercharged Miata? Is the Mazda unit different from the Duratec in some way? Or is it just that the rest of the car can't take the heat/torque/stress? Often thought that an NC with 250+ bhp would be sweet.....
pmiddle5 @ May 20th 2008 4:24PM
Well, it is also 50 state legal...Dont forget that
Justin @ May 20th 2008 4:26PM
Darth, it I believe the article says 210 whp, not bhp. Which puts it up in the 250 bhp at least.
Personally, I want to see a torque curve rather than peak figures.
Eric Biran @ May 20th 2008 4:26PM
Yeah, that Miata still has to pass smog regs for a new Miata. Don't forget driveline loss as well. 210 at the wheels is almost 250 hp at the crank with a 15% loss.
Damon Lavrinc @ May 20th 2008 4:29PM
Justin: That was my initial questions as well. Eric says in his post that "it feels like the torque curve is a flat line from 2800 - 6500rpm." Unfortunately, no numbers or a dyno graph were supplied.
Ian @ May 20th 2008 7:05PM
Don't forget it's 210+ AT the REAR WHEELS. Thus it probably makes around 240 in the engine.
pmiddle5 @ May 20th 2008 4:25PM
210hp in a Miata with upgraded suspension...Now that is the sort of fun car I want. Not a gtr, not a zr1, not a 911 turbo. I want something fun; not terrifying and expensive.
BMWdownshift @ May 20th 2008 4:32PM
In 1997 210bhp sounds awsome in 2008 210bhp is what my daily driver accord has and more.
=/
C.D. Ward @ May 20th 2008 4:37PM
Your Accord doesn't weigh 2600 lbs.
Lee Gibson @ May 20th 2008 4:39PM
Where the heck did you find a lightweight, RWD Accord?
Oh, I'm sorry, you're talking about something that is the polar opposite of a sports car. I was confused for a second.
Mez Jr @ May 20th 2008 4:46PM
210 rwhp in a MX-5 "should" run faster than a 350z, G37, Solstice GXP, Mustang GT, GTO or cars in that range, puts it about 12lbs/whp.
You really don't want too much power in a MX-5, they're not tired for it, and I don't know about the NC, but the NB/NA can't take huge tires, so anything over 270rwhp or so and its just spinning tires.
I3ziko @ May 20th 2008 4:51PM
Does not…
2008 ACCORD - 3609 lbs / 268 hp = 1hp/13.5lbs
2008 MIATA - 2444 lbs / ~210hp (Cosworth) = 1hp/11.6lbs
equiraptor @ May 20th 2008 4:52PM
@Mez Jr,
The NC can take a good deal more tire than the NAs and NBs. I'm planning on moving to 285/30R18 on the rears for autocrossing. This does require rolled fenders, but doesn't require modifying them beyond that (fitting the same on the front requires more effort). I'm currently running 235/40R17 for street tires, and it could easily take more if I wasn't stubbornly sticking to the OEM 17x7 wheels, there.
210rwhp in an NC would be quite a blast, especially with the flat torque curve one would expect from a supercharger. Still, I have no desire for forced induction on my NC anytime soon. It's doing great as a CSP car.
Corey Smith @ May 20th 2008 5:30PM
@I3ziko:
"Does not…
2008 ACCORD - 3609 lbs / 268 hp = 1hp/13.5lbs
2008 MIATA - 2444 lbs / ~210hp (Cosworth) = 1hp/11.6lbs"
An even better calculation would be:
2008 Accord: 3609 lbs / 228 hp(at the wheels w/ 15% loss) = 15.8 lbs/hp
2008 Miata: 2444 / ~210 hp (Cosworth, at the wheels) = 11.6 lbs/hp
That being said, the Accord will still probably out accelerate it in a straight line. Just wait until the twisties...
Ray @ May 20th 2008 6:56PM
Hey bench seat Internet racing, it's the numbers that make a car fast!
Kris @ May 20th 2008 5:07PM
Unless im wrong, wasnt there already a MPS Miata like last year or the year before....an 06 (first year of NC)???
mk @ May 20th 2008 5:44PM
Very encouraging.
Now, if they could just cure the bar-of-soap styling.
My/My wife's NB miata is better looking, even if not as powerful or generous in the interior.
The wife wants a more powerful convertible sometime in the moderate future, though, and I could really use a bit more knee-room, and a top-side-up convertible top is a very nice thing. (I am growing to HATE the tonneau cover on our NB, and the top would be ruined without it)
At this point, even with the prospect of NC power-adders, is probably going to lose out to a good-condition used Boxster, or Boxster S, rather than a near-new or new Miata.
All that being said, Kudos to Cosworth. this sounds like a great option.
Why won't Mazda release a Mazdaspeed 2.3 DISI turbocharged Miata? They have the engine in the Mazdaspeed3, and MS6.
And who knows why they haven't built a Kabura like that, with a fixed, stable roof, and sleek profile.