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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / November 2007

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Best way to add horsepower without voiding warranty?

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SINNER - 24 Oct 2007 15:36 GMT
I have a 2007 PRHT MX-5 and would like to add some more power but I dont
want to void the warranty. Is that request mutually exclusive?

I would like to add a bolt on exhaust, cold air intake and if possible a
bolt on turbo unit, preferably all of those would be made specifically for
the above model.

Doable?

Signature

David

Lanny Chambers - 24 Oct 2007 15:55 GMT
> I have a 2007 PRHT MX-5 and would like to add some more power but I dont
> want to void the warranty. Is that request mutually exclusive?

Use the gearbox to keep the engine above 4000 rpm. It's free, and yields
a larger increase than bolt-on doodads.

Seriously, in theory, aftermarket modifications like exhausts should
only void the warranty on the part(s) replaced, plus other parts that
suffer additional stress. In fact, you should run your plans past your
service manager, who will be making the decision whether or not to apply
the warranty if something fails. I doubt you'll get more than 10 hp by
changing both intake and exhaust, which doesn't seem worthwhile to me;
as far as I know there's no turbo kit available yet.
SINNER - 24 Oct 2007 16:01 GMT
* Lanny Chambers wrote in rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata:

>> I have a 2007 PRHT MX-5 and would like to add some more power but I
>> dont want to void the warranty. Is that request mutually exclusive?
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> hp by changing both intake and exhaust, which doesn't seem worthwhile
> to me; as far as I know there's no turbo kit available yet.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will do just that (ask the service manager).

Signature

David

Chuck - 25 Oct 2007 16:56 GMT
The dealers have a great deal of latitude. Some will say that any
modification voids the warrenty, others take less extreme views.
In the event of a disagreement, law and Mazda policy take over. In
otherwords, allow enough time and milage to accumulate before you modify, on
the premise that the time and milage should be enough to determine that you
do or don't have problems that the warrenty will cover.
Note: Modifications also can kill aftermarket or extended warrenties.

> I have a 2007 PRHT MX-5 and would like to add some more power but I dont
> want to void the warranty. Is that request mutually exclusive?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Doable?
Chris D'Agnolo - 26 Oct 2007 02:55 GMT
Also, keep in mind that service managers change!  That's a scary thought eh?
I would suggest (as I think Lanny is) that you really learn to get all you
can out of your car BEFORE you worry about modding it. Power is not what I
would consider the weak point of the NC. Of course some would say it's
underpowered but those same folks would still say that if it had 50hp more!
I remember getting a ride (unfortunately, shotgun) in a friends Mustang
Cobra (probably 2005 model or so) with upwards of 300hp. He actually turned
off his AC for the drive because he said it robbed too much power! I thought
that was pretty funny as I'd been doing that in my '92 for some time!
Anyway, I'd suggest using the full range of the motor and tightening up the
suspension and you've got a pretty sweet car till the warranty expires (and
the turbo kits hit the market!).

Have fun,
Chris
99BBB

> The dealers have a great deal of latitude. Some will say that any
> modification voids the warrenty, others take less extreme views.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>>
>> Doable?
earache@spymac.com - 29 Oct 2007 05:52 GMT
> Also, keep in mind that service managers change!  That's a scary thought eh?
> I would suggest (as I think Lanny is) that you really learn to get all you
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> off his AC for the drive because he said it robbed too much power! I thought
> that was pretty funny as I'd been doing that in my '92 for some time!

Yeah, power is all relative.  NC is slow (esp. straight-line) compared
to that Cobra or a Boxster S or an Elise.  OTOH I'd love it if my NB
could do a 6.5 0-60.  Heck, I'd take 7.5.  I am happy with my car but
it seems a bit lame that I can't count on beating a Camry off the line
if it decides to get frisky.
Leon van Dommelen - 30 Oct 2007 00:25 GMT
On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:52:36 -0700, earache wrote:

>> Also, keep in mind that service managers change!  That's a scary
>> thought eh? I would suggest (as I think Lanny is) that you really learn
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> seems a bit lame that I can't count on beating a Camry off the line if
> it decides to get frisky.

Exactly the reason I put a SC on my NA.  My previous CRX Si was noticeable
faster.  After a still earlier 75 MGB and 60s or so DC, I felt I had done
all the slow accelerating anyone could reasonably expect.  ;)

Leon
Signature

Leon :)  Bess :)  Bozo .)

Carbon - 03 Nov 2007 02:44 GMT
On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:52:36 -0700, earache wrote:

> Yeah, power is all relative.  NC is slow (esp. straight-line) compared
> to that Cobra or a Boxster S or an Elise.  OTOH I'd love it if my NB
> could do a 6.5 0-60.  Heck, I'd take 7.5.  I am happy with my car but it
> seems a bit lame that I can't count on beating a Camry off the line if
> it decides to get frisky.

I believe my Mazdaspeed will do 0-60 in the 6.5 to 7 second range. But I
couldn't imagine thrashing it in that way. Where it's nice is barreling
out of corners with the tach sweeping past 4k. That never fails to put a
smile on my face. Having said that, many cars are faster than my car. In
a straight line anyway :-).
pws - 03 Nov 2007 05:11 GMT
> I believe my Mazdaspeed will do 0-60 in the 6.5 to 7 second range. But I
> couldn't imagine thrashing it in that way. Where it's nice is barreling
> out of corners with the tach sweeping past 4k. That never fails to put a
> smile on my face. Having said that, many cars are faster than my car. In
> a straight line anyway :-).

That sounds about right. Mine will break 6 seconds, maybe closer to 5.5
with a good hookup, but like you said, why?

The thing I love most about the additional power is the fact that I can
blow past 99%+ of the vehicles that doesn't want to let me in as I enter
the highway.
That wasn't possible in the last Miata.

It also just makes it a bit more like driving a motorcycle, there are
some times when accelerating quickly can save your butt as much as
braking quickly.

Pat
pltrgyst - 03 Nov 2007 15:42 GMT
>The thing I love most about the additional power is the fact that I can
>blow past 99%+ of the vehicles that doesn't want to let me in as I enter
>the highway. That wasn't possible in the last Miata.

Geez, I've never noticed that problem with my '95 R. There's this stick-thingy
with a knob on the end just below your right hand that can be quite useful.

>It also just makes it a bit more like driving a motorcycle, there are
>some times when accelerating quickly can save your butt as much as
>braking quickly.

Well, a tiny, tiny, tiny bit more like a bike...  8;)

-- Larry

'01 Aprilia Mille SL Falco
'02 Honda 919 (commuter bike)
'84 Interceptor 500 (small emergency backup bike)
'95 Miata R, modified
'02 BMW 325i, sport pkg, etc. (wife's car)
'01 Caterham Superlight
'72 Elden FF
'08 WCM Ultralight (coming soon)
pws - 03 Nov 2007 16:45 GMT
> Geez, I've never noticed that problem with my '95 R. There's this stick-thingy
> with a knob on the end just below your right hand that can be quite useful.

Larry, I haven't been downshifting for as long as you have, but I have
been practicing it for over 20 years. I understand the whole
stick-thingy with a knob on the end. :-)

However, it doesn't do much good when that automatic transmission Accord
with the V6 or that pickup truck with the V8 has almost as much or more
acceleration than you can squeeze out of a stock Miata no matter how
high you rev it.

Pat
pltrgyst - 03 Nov 2007 21:42 GMT
>> Geez, I've never noticed that problem with my '95 R. There's this stick-thingy
>> with a knob on the end just below your right hand that can be quite useful.
>
>Larry, I haven't been downshifting for as long as you have, but I have
>been practicing it for over 20 years. I understand the whole
>stick-thingy with a knob on the end. :-)

Just raggin' on you. 8;)

Alas, so few do. I count myself extraordinarily lucky to have married a woman
who prefers driving a manual transmission, even here inside the DC beltway.

I find the whole key to merging safely from an on ramp is: make sure you've got
a gap ahead on the ramp, so that you don't have to stop at the end of the ramp;
nail it in third, so that your speed is *higher* (by ~10 mph) than the traffic
with which you're going to merge; and then merge under *decelleration*.

It always amazes me how many quite successful SCCA racer-types are not attentive
enough on the road to do that. Scares the hell out of me to ride with them away
from the track.

I have never noticed a shortage of power in my Miata on the road -- but although
I tend to push it really hard around corners, etc., I don't drag race Vettes at
stop lights. My self-challenge is to try to get there quicker than anyone else,
with absolute minimum use of the brakes.  8;)

Now the Caterham does tend to have very much the maneuvering capabilities of a
bike, which is really overkill for the street. And the Ultralite is going to be
every more extreme in this regard -- but I'm resigned to having to deal with it.
Sigh.

-- Larry
pws - 03 Nov 2007 22:52 GMT
> Just raggin' on you. 8;)

Heh-heh. :-)

> Alas, so few do. I count myself extraordinarily lucky to have married a woman
> who prefers driving a manual transmission, even here inside the DC beltway.

I taught the ex how to drive a standard. Maybe that is why she is an ex.

> I find the whole key to merging safely from an on ramp is: make sure you've got
> a gap ahead on the ramp, so that you don't have to stop at the end of the ramp;
> nail it in third, so that your speed is *higher* (by ~10 mph) than the traffic
> with which you're going to merge; and then merge under *decelleration*.

Exactly, why do so many people not realize this?

> It always amazes me how many quite successful SCCA racer-types are not attentive
> enough on the road to do that. Scares the hell out of me to ride with them away
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> stop lights. My self-challenge is to try to get there quicker than anyone else,
> with absolute minimum use of the brakes.  8;)

Yeah, my last one had *enough* power, but I don't mind a bit extra. I
would like the car to have roughly 180 to 200 hp from the factory, which
isn't asking that much from today's engines, and is just a bit more than
the Mazdaspeed.

> Now the Caterham does tend to have very much the maneuvering capabilities of a
> bike, which is really overkill for the street. And the Ultralite is going to be
> every more extreme in this regard -- but I'm resigned to having to deal with it.
> Sigh.
>
> -- Larry

I feel your pain......or wish I did.

Pat
Lanny Chambers - 04 Nov 2007 03:04 GMT
> > I find the whole key to merging safely from an on ramp is: make
> > sure you've got a gap ahead on the ramp, so that you don't have to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Exactly, why do so many people not realize this?

Whoa, Pat, you're a couple of steps ahead of reality here. For too many
drivers, the whole concept of planning ahead--for ANYTHING--comes
perilously close to distracting them from their essential multitasking
function. Are you some kind of deviated un-American prevert or sumpin'?!

[multitasking: cellphone in one ear, iPod in the other.]
pws - 04 Nov 2007 12:53 GMT
> Whoa, Pat, you're a couple of steps ahead of reality here.

Sorry about that, I get stuck in "the place I ought to be" instead of
"The place that I am" every once in a while. :-)

> For too many
> drivers, the whole concept of planning ahead--for ANYTHING--comes
> perilously close to distracting them from their essential multitasking
> function. Are you some kind of deviated un-American prevert or sumpin'?!
>
> [multitasking: cellphone in one ear, iPod in the other.]

What's worse is that these are only some of the the latest gadgets.

We still have makeup being applied and hair primping, (now by both women
and men), eating, smoking, digging through the glove box for that latest
CD, and the other million other things that a driver should not be using
their hands or attention for while driving.

Pat
shawnhadd@gmail.com - 13 Nov 2007 22:06 GMT
As an owner of a modified Mazdaspeed, I can vouch for a quick 0-60
time.  I never have problems finding my way through traffic.
Carbon - 14 Nov 2007 02:33 GMT
> As an owner of a modified Mazdaspeed, I can vouch for a quick 0-60 time.
>  I never have problems finding my way through traffic.

Modifications? Which ones? I would like to get the Flyin' Miata intake
kit, and downpipe and exhaust.

The incredibly short gearing also hurts acceleration times. With the kind
of midrange turbos have there's no need to be shifting into 3rd as you
clear an intersection. I often do 1-2-4-6 commuting to work.
pltrgyst - 14 Nov 2007 05:10 GMT
>The incredibly short gearing also hurts acceleration times....

"Incredibly short"? I'd say that my '95 R's 5-speed ratios are pretty near
optimal. There's not one I'd like to change for the street (for track days, I'd
dump the overdrive 5th and make it 1:1, spacing the lower four appropriately).

Now "incredibly short" to me is two "first" gears, two "second" gears, and a
short "third" gear in my FF's Hewland when it's set up for autocross...  

Flat out in top it'll do around 75.  8;)

-- Larry
Carbon - 15 Nov 2007 02:28 GMT
>>The incredibly short gearing also hurts acceleration times....
>
> "Incredibly short"? I'd say that my '95 R's 5-speed ratios are pretty
> near optimal. There's not one I'd like to change for the street (for
> track days, I'd dump the overdrive 5th and make it 1:1, spacing the
> lower four appropriately).

The 6-speed in the MSM is a different animal.

3.76:1, 2.27:1, 1.65:1, 1.26:1, 1.00:1, 0.84:1

http://www.supercars.net/cars/2729.html
Lanny Chambers - 15 Nov 2007 03:12 GMT
> The 6-speed in the MSM is a different animal.

Yes, but so is the final drive ratio.
 
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